OthelloOthello

By William ShakespeareBy William Shakespeare

Key Facts…Key Facts…

Full title: Full title: OthelloOthello Type of Work: PlayType of Work: Play Genre: Tragic drama, historical Genre: Tragic drama, historical

dramadrama First Performed: by the King’s Men First Performed: by the King’s Men

at the Court of King James I at the Court of King James I November 1, 1604November 1, 1604

About the play…About the play… OthelloOthello is set against the backdrop of is set against the backdrop of

the wars between Venice and Turkey the wars between Venice and Turkey that raged in the latter part of the that raged in the latter part of the sixteenth century. Cyprus, which is sixteenth century. Cyprus, which is the setting for most of the action, the setting for most of the action, was a Venetian outpost attacked by was a Venetian outpost attacked by the Turks in 1570 and conquered the the Turks in 1570 and conquered the following year.following year.

About the Play Continued…About the Play Continued…

Othello begins on a street in Venice, in the Othello begins on a street in Venice, in the midst of an argument between Roderigo, a midst of an argument between Roderigo, a rich man, and Iago. Roderigo has been rich man, and Iago. Roderigo has been paying Iago to help him in his suit to paying Iago to help him in his suit to Desdemona. But Roderigo has just learned Desdemona. But Roderigo has just learned that Desdemona has married Othello, a that Desdemona has married Othello, a general whom Iago begrudgingly serves as general whom Iago begrudgingly serves as ensign. Iago says he hates Othello, who ensign. Iago says he hates Othello, who recently passed him over for the position of recently passed him over for the position of lieutenant in favor of the inexperienced lieutenant in favor of the inexperienced soldier Michael Cassio.soldier Michael Cassio.

Themes in the Play…Themes in the Play…

The Incompatibility of Military The Incompatibility of Military Heroism & Love Heroism & Love

The Danger of Isolation The Danger of Isolation

Motifs in the Play…Motifs in the Play…

Motifs are recurring structures, Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, or literary devices that can contrasts, or literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text’s help to develop and inform the text’s major themes.major themes.

Sight and Blindness Sight and Blindness PlantsPlants AnimalsAnimals Hell, Demons and MonstersHell, Demons and Monsters

Symbols in the Play…Symbols in the Play…

Symbols are objects, characters, Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used to represent figures, or colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.abstract ideas or concepts.

The HandkerchiefThe Handkerchief The song “Willow”The song “Willow”

Significant Terms…Significant Terms… TragedyTragedy: a form of drama : a form of drama

usually involving a conflict usually involving a conflict between a character and some between a character and some higher power, such as the law, higher power, such as the law, the gods, fate, or society. the gods, fate, or society.

Blank verseBlank verse: a verse form : a verse form consisting of unrhymed lines of consisting of unrhymed lines of iambic pentameter. iambic pentameter.

ProseProse: the ordinary language : the ordinary language people use in speaking or writingpeople use in speaking or writing

PunPun: the humorous use of a word : the humorous use of a word or phrase to suggest two or more or phrase to suggest two or more meanings at the same time. meanings at the same time.

Significant Terms Significant Terms Continued…Continued…

SoliloquySoliloquy: speech, usually lengthy, in : speech, usually lengthy, in which a character, alone on stage, which a character, alone on stage, expresses his or her thoughts aloud. expresses his or her thoughts aloud.

ConflictConflict: :

1. 1. External External: dispute between : dispute between the the protagonist and another protagonist and another character character or nature or nature

2. 2. InternalInternal: occurs when the : occurs when the protagonist protagonist struggles within struggles within himself or herselfhimself or herself

A few more terms…A few more terms…

FoilFoil: A foil character is either one who is : A foil character is either one who is in most ways opposite to the main in most ways opposite to the main character or nearly the same as the main character or nearly the same as the main character. character.

AnachronismAnachronism: A thing out of its time. A : A thing out of its time. A problem in historical fiction in that a problem in historical fiction in that a writer may make reference to an writer may make reference to an invention or custom that was not known invention or custom that was not known in the period in which his or her story is in the period in which his or her story is set.set.

The last of the terms…The last of the terms…

Situational ironySituational irony: The discrepancy : The discrepancy between what is expected and what between what is expected and what actually happens. actually happens.

Verbal ironyVerbal irony: A character says the : A character says the opposite of what he or she means.opposite of what he or she means.

Dramatic ironyDramatic irony: : Dramatic irony is Dramatic irony is most effective when characters make most effective when characters make fateful choices based on information fateful choices based on information the reader realizes is incorrect.the reader realizes is incorrect.

Introducing? Who Can You Introducing? Who Can You Become?Become?

The Cast of Othello…The Cast of Othello… Othello-Othello- The play’s protagonist and hero. The play’s protagonist and hero.

A Christian Moor and general of the A Christian Moor and general of the armies of Venice.armies of Venice.

Desdemona-Desdemona- The daughter of the The daughter of the Venetian senator Brabanzio. Desdemona Venetian senator Brabanzio. Desdemona and Othello are secretly married before and Othello are secretly married before the play begins.the play begins.

Iago-Iago- Othello’s ensign (ancient or Othello’s ensign (ancient or standard bearer) and the villain of the standard bearer) and the villain of the play. play.

The Cast of Othello The Cast of Othello Continued…Continued…

Michael Cassio Michael Cassio - Othello’s Lieutenant. - Othello’s Lieutenant. His high position is resented by Iago.His high position is resented by Iago.

EmiliaEmilia - Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s - Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant. Distrusts her husband and attendant. Distrusts her husband and is attached to Desdemona.is attached to Desdemona.

RoderigoRoderigo - A jealous suitor of - A jealous suitor of Desdemona. Young, rich and foolish.Desdemona. Young, rich and foolish.

BiancaBianca - A prostitute in Cyprus. - A prostitute in Cyprus.

The Cast of Othello The Cast of Othello Continued…Continued…

BrabanzioBrabanzio - Desdemona’s father. He feels - Desdemona’s father. He feels betrayed that the General married his daughter betrayed that the General married his daughter in secret.in secret.

Duke of VeniceDuke of Venice - Official authority of Venice. - Official authority of Venice. The Duke has great respect for Othello.The Duke has great respect for Othello.

MontanoMontano - The governor of Cyprus before - The governor of Cyprus before Othello. Othello.

LodovicoLodovico - One of Brabanzio’s kinsmen. - One of Brabanzio’s kinsmen. GrazianoGraziano - Another of Brabanzio’s kinsmen. - Another of Brabanzio’s kinsmen. ClownClown - Othello’s servant. Look to him for puns. - Othello’s servant. Look to him for puns.