Othello

Character of Iago and Othello

2006

Question 1. Choose a play in which the dramatist’s

use of contrast between two characters is important to your understanding of one of them. Discuss how your understanding of this character is strengthened by the contrast

Character traitsWith quotations show the contrasting characteristics

of each:

OthelloLoving – “If it were now to die,‘Twere to be most happy”Out of controlIndecisive...

Iago

Cannot love

“It [love] is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will” (1.3)

Out of control(later in play)“Thou hast set me on

the rack” – torture is complete loss of control

“I’ll tear her all to pieces!”

Aggressive, vicious language

Indecisive“I think my wife be

honest and think she is not;

I think thou art just and think thou art not.”

Contradiction, antithesis

In control“Do not rise yet.”Command,

imperative sentence – in charge, enjoys the moment

Decisive “I have’t.…Hell and

night Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.”

Short sentence, climax of soliloquy

3.3.3221 – “I have use for it.”

Brave“Keep up your bright

swords” Othello commands Brabantio’s mob…

Honest“Not I, I must be found.

My parts, my title and my perfect soul…”

Changes and develops – initially seems confident, “Keep…”

But as the play progresses – “Haply for I am black…I am declin’d into the vale of years.”

Cowardly“Do it not with

poison.”“You were best go

in.”Deceitful“I am not what I am”Duplicitous“Janus” Iago is portrayed

as pure evil. Is there such a thing?

Most interesting character

Iago is interesting – the true protagonist because he sets in motion the events and action of the play

He gives different reasons for his actions – what?

Othello is a more complex individual who we see develop. We empathise and sympathise with him. He has faults and qualities. Iago is less rounded and believable and his final refusal to justify himself is a cop-out.

RevisionPast papers – look at essay

questions, plan your answers, write your first sentence/s

Learn your quotes – put them in context

Use the Wikispace – for notes, for questions

Close Reading – get the process of each type of question