OthelloOthello

CharacterCharacter

OthelloOthello

Act 2 scene 1Act 2 scene 1

Othello seems happy.Othello seems happy.Choose a quote from II.i.176-186Choose a quote from II.i.176-186He thinks that “our wars are done”.He thinks that “our wars are done”.

Act 2 Scene 3Act 2 Scene 3 Iago has incited a fight between Cassio Iago has incited a fight between Cassio

and Roderigoand Roderigo In Act 1 he calmly denounces violence: In Act 1 he calmly denounces violence:

“Keep up your bright swords” “Keep up your bright swords”Here he reacts angrilyHere he reacts angrilyHe compares them to ‘Turks’ and He compares them to ‘Turks’ and

‘Ottomites’‘Ottomites’And feels ‘Christian shame’ at their And feels ‘Christian shame’ at their

behaviourbehaviourThe move to Cyprus has changed The move to Cyprus has changed

OthelloOthello

He demands explanation: “Give me He demands explanation: “Give me answer to it” (180)answer to it” (180)

But the explanation makes him But the explanation makes him furiousfurious

““My blood begins my safer guides to My blood begins my safer guides to rulerule” (189)” (189)

He thinks he may “He thinks he may “but lift this arm”but lift this arm” – – a threat of possible violencea threat of possible violence

OthelloOthello

Character DevelopmentCharacter Development

First ActFirst Act

What is Othello like?What is Othello like?Does he have any faults or Does he have any faults or

weaknesses?weaknesses?

Act 2 Scene 1Act 2 Scene 1

Show how in love he is with Show how in love he is with Desdemona when he is reunited with Desdemona when he is reunited with herher

““My fair warrior!”My fair warrior!”Comment on thisComment on thisHe feels extremely happy, ironically He feels extremely happy, ironically

saying “If it were now to die, ‘Twere saying “If it were now to die, ‘Twere to be most happy”to be most happy”

Act 2 Scene 3Act 2 Scene 3

Othello again shows his trust of Iago: Othello again shows his trust of Iago: “Iago is most honest”“Iago is most honest”

He wants to protect Desdemona from He wants to protect Desdemona from the ugly, violent brawl: “All’s well the ugly, violent brawl: “All’s well now, sweeting; come away to bed” now, sweeting; come away to bed” (2.3.236)(2.3.236)

Act 3 Scene 3 – Key SceneAct 3 Scene 3 – Key Scene

Iago says when Cassio leaves Desdemona: Iago says when Cassio leaves Desdemona: “ “Ha! I like not that.”Ha! I like not that.”

(3.3.35) Here he starts putting his plan (3.3.35) Here he starts putting his plan into action.into action.

Othello is still kind and gentle with Othello is still kind and gentle with Desdemona (3.3.56). When he agrees to Desdemona (3.3.56). When he agrees to speak to Cassio “The sooner, sweet, for speak to Cassio “The sooner, sweet, for you”you”

Desdemona shows her compassion and Desdemona shows her compassion and kindness in trying to get Cassio reinstated: kindness in trying to get Cassio reinstated: “Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul.” “Tell me, Othello. I wonder in my soul.”

He seems busy and preoccupied with his He seems busy and preoccupied with his responsibilities: “leave me but a little to responsibilities: “leave me but a little to myself”. myself”.

Calls Desdemona “Excellent wretch!” Calls Desdemona “Excellent wretch!” affectionately.affectionately.

“…“…when I love thee notwhen I love thee not Chaos is come again” Chaos is come again” This shows that without Desdemona he is This shows that without Desdemona he is

unhappy. D seems to have saved him from a unhappy. D seems to have saved him from a life of trauma and turmoil.life of trauma and turmoil.

Iago withholds enough to intrigue and Iago withholds enough to intrigue and frustrate Othello: “Why of thy thought, Iago?frustrate Othello: “Why of thy thought, Iago?…Is he not honest?”…Is he not honest?”

(3.3.107-116)(3.3.107-116)“…“…a monster in his thoughta monster in his thought

Too hideous to be shown”Too hideous to be shown” Jealousy – a monsterJealousy – a monsterThere is painful dramatic irony in There is painful dramatic irony in

Othello saying “I know thou’rt full of Othello saying “I know thou’rt full of love and honesty”. love and honesty”.

Iago avoiding a direct answer is Iago avoiding a direct answer is compared to how “a false disloyal compared to how “a false disloyal knave” would avoid telling the truth.knave” would avoid telling the truth.

He gathers himself and says that he will He gathers himself and says that he will not be plagued by jealousy as it is not be plagued by jealousy as it is against his character: “I’ll see before I against his character: “I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove…Away at doubt; when I doubt, prove…Away at once with love or jealousy!” (192-194)once with love or jealousy!” (192-194)

Iago tells him to keep an eye on Iago tells him to keep an eye on DesdemonaDesdemona

But Othello says that he will stay calm But Othello says that he will stay calm and this will bother him “Not a jot”and this will bother him “Not a jot”

Othello’s soliloquy (260-279)Othello’s soliloquy (260-279) He compares Desdemona to a “haggard” - a He compares Desdemona to a “haggard” - a

wild hawk. If he cannot train her or control wild hawk. If he cannot train her or control her he will let her go.her he will let her go.

He wonders if a problem is “Happly for I am He wonders if a problem is “Happly for I am black”black”

This is the first time he has doubted himself This is the first time he has doubted himself because of his racebecause of his race

Or age: “I am declin’d into the vale of years”Or age: “I am declin’d into the vale of years” He simply states: “She’s gone, I am abus’d , He simply states: “She’s gone, I am abus’d ,

and my relief Must be to loathe her”and my relief Must be to loathe her” His imagery is ugly and crude saying he His imagery is ugly and crude saying he

would “rather be a toad and live upon the would “rather be a toad and live upon the vapour of a dungeon” than a married man. vapour of a dungeon” than a married man.

He repeats the idea of a “plague”He repeats the idea of a “plague”

He is disregarding his public duties as his He is disregarding his public duties as his guests wait for himguests wait for him

He is snappy and abrupt with D. He is snappy and abrupt with D. Next time we see him his language has Next time we see him his language has

deteriorated: “ha, ha, false to me!”deteriorated: “ha, ha, false to me!” He says that Iago’s information “hast set He says that Iago’s information “hast set

me on the rack” - a torture instrumentme on the rack” - a torture instrument Now he speaks of her in a crude way, Now he speaks of her in a crude way,

saying he would rather all of the soldiers saying he would rather all of the soldiers had slept with her as long as he did not had slept with her as long as he did not know: “I had been happy if the general know: “I had been happy if the general camp…had tasted her sweet body So camp…had tasted her sweet body So nothing I had known”nothing I had known”

Shakespeare uses repetition of “Farewell” to Shakespeare uses repetition of “Farewell” to show that he is saying goodbye to happiness show that he is saying goodbye to happiness and contentment. (346-357)and contentment. (346-357)

But he focuses on losing his “occupation” and But he focuses on losing his “occupation” and talks in military image. It seems that he does talks in military image. It seems that he does not have the vocabulary to express his not have the vocabulary to express his emotions.emotions.

““Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore” Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore” - he threatens Iago.- he threatens Iago.

““I think my wife be honest, and think she is not;I think my wife be honest, and think she is not;

I think that thou art just, and think thou art notI think that thou art just, and think thou art not”” Paradox expresses the chaos in his mindParadox expresses the chaos in his mind

Othello’s’ rage makes him violent: Othello’s’ rage makes him violent: “I’ll tear her all to pieces!”“I’ll tear her all to pieces!”

When Iago says that he has seen When Iago says that he has seen Cassio with the handkerchief Othello Cassio with the handkerchief Othello swears “revenge” swears “revenge”

He wants all his love to disappear “to He wants all his love to disappear “to heaven” (441-451)heaven” (441-451)

And in its place calls “Arise, black And in its place calls “Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell!”vengeance, from thy hollow cell!”

Analyse this imageAnalyse this image

Noticeably ‘Noticeably ‘He kneels’. He kneels’. The power The power relationship has changed between relationship has changed between Iago and Othello.Iago and Othello.

He promotes Iago and tells him he He promotes Iago and tells him he wants him to kill Cassio.wants him to kill Cassio.

Othello exclaims “O blood, blood, Othello exclaims “O blood, blood, blood!”blood!”

O compares his mind to the Black O compares his mind to the Black Sea and his “bloody thoughts” to an Sea and his “bloody thoughts” to an “icy current”“icy current”

Act 3 Scene 4Act 3 Scene 4

Desdemona: Desdemona: “my noble Moor is true “my noble Moor is true of mind and made of no such of mind and made of no such baseness as jealous creatures are”baseness as jealous creatures are”

Accusations: “Accusations: “This hand is moist” (32)This hand is moist” (32)““here’s a young and sweating devil”here’s a young and sweating devil”Othello’s language is full of double Othello’s language is full of double

meanings: meanings: ““liberal heart”liberal heart” - generous and free, - generous and free,

immoralimmoralContrast with the first ActContrast with the first ActHer hand is Her hand is “frank”“frank” - honest, revealing - honest, revealing

Othello talks of how precious the Othello talks of how precious the handkerchief is. It was a gift from his handkerchief is. It was a gift from his mother. He seems to be slipping into mother. He seems to be slipping into superstition, talking of a superstition, talking of a “charmer“ “charmer“ ,“,“spirits” spirits” and and “magic” “magic” (52-(52-64)64)

Look at the exchange in lines 71-81. Look at the exchange in lines 71-81. How does Shakespeare convey the How does Shakespeare convey the conflict between Desdemona and conflict between Desdemona and Othello?Othello?

Act 4 Scene 1Act 4 Scene 1

Iago plays another role. He tries to dissuade Iago plays another role. He tries to dissuade Othello from overreactingOthello from overreacting

Othello : “Othello : “O it comes o’er my memory, as O it comes o’er my memory, as doth the raven o’er the infected house”doth the raven o’er the infected house”

The raven is a symbol of death and diseaseThe raven is a symbol of death and disease ForeshadowingForeshadowing Look at Othello’s speech in lines 35-43. How Look at Othello’s speech in lines 35-43. How

does Shakespeare use language to portray does Shakespeare use language to portray his state of mind?his state of mind?

Stage direction: Stage direction: “He falls in a trance”“He falls in a trance” Othello is physically affected by his emotionsOthello is physically affected by his emotions

Iago plays another role. He tries to dissuade Iago plays another role. He tries to dissuade Othello from overreactingOthello from overreacting

Othello : “Othello : “O it comes o’er my memory, as O it comes o’er my memory, as doth the raven o’er the infected house”doth the raven o’er the infected house”

The raven is a symbol of death and diseaseThe raven is a symbol of death and disease ForeshadowingForeshadowing Look at Othello’s speech in lines 35-43. How Look at Othello’s speech in lines 35-43. How

does Shakespeare use language to portray does Shakespeare use language to portray his state of mind?his state of mind?

Stage direction: Stage direction: “He falls in a trance”“He falls in a trance” Othello is physically affected by his emotionsOthello is physically affected by his emotions

Iago fools Othello by talking to Cassio about Iago fools Othello by talking to Cassio about a prostitute he visits called Biancaa prostitute he visits called Bianca

Look at Othello’s speeches in lines 168-210 Look at Othello’s speeches in lines 168-210 (p96-8) How does he talk about (p96-8) How does he talk about Desdemona?Desdemona?

Othello is now completely in Iago’s hands - Othello is now completely in Iago’s hands - agreeing to suffocate her in her agreeing to suffocate her in her “contaminated” bed“contaminated” bed

Othello is completely unreasonable with Othello is completely unreasonable with Desdemona, striking her and shouting at her Desdemona, striking her and shouting at her

Notably Desdemona responds without anger: Notably Desdemona responds without anger: “sweet Othello”, “I have not deserv’d this” “sweet Othello”, “I have not deserv’d this”

Lodovico says that “this would not be Lodovico says that “this would not be believed in Venice”believed in Venice”

Look at Othello’s speech in lines 250-Look at Othello’s speech in lines 250-261. 261.

The word “turn” has a double meaningThe word “turn” has a double meaningHis sentences are broken up with His sentences are broken up with

pauses pauses Repetition is now used to show the Repetition is now used to show the

obsessions in his mind and to allow obsessions in his mind and to allow him to explore words’ double him to explore words’ double meanings: “obedient”, “weep”meanings: “obedient”, “weep”

Act 4 Scene 2Act 4 Scene 2

Othello refuses to believe what Emilia tells Othello refuses to believe what Emilia tells him.him.

““This is a subtle whore”This is a subtle whore” Desdemona seems concerned about Desdemona seems concerned about

Othello when she would be justified in Othello when she would be justified in being angry: “being angry: “Why do you weep?”Why do you weep?”

Othello confronts Desdemona, using a Othello confronts Desdemona, using a series of images to describe how he feels series of images to describe how he feels his love has been ruined.his love has been ruined.

Desdemona is as honest Desdemona is as honest “as summer flies “as summer flies in the shambles [slaughterhouse]”in the shambles [slaughterhouse]”

O wishes “thou hadst ne’er been born”O wishes “thou hadst ne’er been born”

Act 5 Scene 2Act 5 Scene 2

Othello’s soliloquy:Othello’s soliloquy: ““It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul”It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul” He uses ‘it’ as if he cannot even name He uses ‘it’ as if he cannot even name

adultery.adultery. His speech reminds the audience that she His speech reminds the audience that she

looks looks white but is also innocent: white but is also innocent: “that whiter “that whiter skin of hers than snow and smooth as skin of hers than snow and smooth as monumental alabaster”monumental alabaster”

Othello is calling on darkness - Othello is calling on darkness - “Put out the “Put out the light” - light” - again, literally and metaphoricallyagain, literally and metaphorically

Desdemona repeatedly begs for her lifeDesdemona repeatedly begs for her life But Othello smothers her, angrily calling her But Othello smothers her, angrily calling her

“strumpet”“strumpet” Emilia still cannot persuade him of D’s Emilia still cannot persuade him of D’s

innocenceinnocence When Iago is accuse of lying all Othello can When Iago is accuse of lying all Othello can

say is say is “O! O! O!”“O! O! O!”

When Othello finally realises what Iago When Othello finally realises what Iago has done he tries to attack him and has done he tries to attack him and wishes Iago could be punished by God: wishes Iago could be punished by God: “Are there no stones in heaven but “Are there no stones in heaven but what serves for the thunder?”what serves for the thunder?”

He feels hopeless and no longer trusts He feels hopeless and no longer trusts human justicehuman justice

He is restrained and then seems too He is restrained and then seems too weak to attack Iago; weak to attack Iago; “I am not valiant “I am not valiant either.”either.”

He is completely broken and says “He is completely broken and says “Let it Let it go all.” go all.” Nothing matters to him any Nothing matters to him any more: bravery, honesty, honour, more: bravery, honesty, honour, respect…respect…

He goes to Desdemona’s dead body. He goes to Desdemona’s dead body. He now accepts her “He now accepts her “chastity”. chastity”. Notice Notice

this line is much shorter than the this line is much shorter than the standard iambic pentameter (274)standard iambic pentameter (274)

He calls her a “cursed, cursed slave”. He calls her a “cursed, cursed slave”. Othello imagines his punishment in Othello imagines his punishment in

hell: hell: “Whip me, ye devils…Blow me “Whip me, ye devils…Blow me about in winds! Roast me in sulphur!”about in winds! Roast me in sulphur!”

Again he descends into a series of Again he descends into a series of painful howls: painful howls: “O Desdemon! Dead “O Desdemon! Dead Desdemon! Dead! O! O!”Desdemon! Dead! O! O!”

He recovers slightly to justify his He recovers slightly to justify his actions:actions:

““For naught did I in hate, but all in For naught did I in hate, but all in honour”honour”

He says of Iago: “He says of Iago: “that demi-devil…hath that demi-devil…hath ensnared my soul and body”ensnared my soul and body”

Then returns to pained exclamations “O Then returns to pained exclamations “O villain!”, “O fool, fool, fool!”villain!”, “O fool, fool, fool!”

In his final speech he reminds people In his final speech he reminds people that “that “I have done the state some I have done the state some service”service”

He recovers slightly to justify his He recovers slightly to justify his actions:actions:

““For naught did I in hate, but all in For naught did I in hate, but all in honour”honour”

He says of Iago: “He says of Iago: “that demi-devil…hath that demi-devil…hath ensnared my soul and body”ensnared my soul and body”

Then returns to pained exclamations “O Then returns to pained exclamations “O villain!”, “O fool, fool, fool!”villain!”, “O fool, fool, fool!”

In his final speech he reminds people In his final speech he reminds people that “that “I have done the state some I have done the state some service”service”

He recovers slightly to justify his He recovers slightly to justify his actions:actions:

““For naught did I in hate, but all in For naught did I in hate, but all in honour”honour”

He says of Iago: “He says of Iago: “that demi-devil…hath that demi-devil…hath ensnared my soul and body”ensnared my soul and body”

Then returns to pained exclamations “O Then returns to pained exclamations “O villain!”, “O fool, fool, fool!”villain!”, “O fool, fool, fool!”

In his final speech he reminds people In his final speech he reminds people that “that “I have done the state some I have done the state some service”service”

Othello asks that when people tell Othello asks that when people tell the story: “Speak of me as I am” the story: “Speak of me as I am”

Othello says that he is Othello says that he is “one that “one that loved not wisely, but too well”loved not wisely, but too well”

He He “threw a pearl away”“threw a pearl away”Othello’s final long speech is as Othello’s final long speech is as

eloquent as those in Act 1 Scene 3. eloquent as those in Act 1 Scene 3. He regains respect and seeks to He regains respect and seeks to influence how people will think of influence how people will think of himhim

He gives a reminder of his service for He gives a reminder of his service for Venice and then kills himself. Venice and then kills himself.

His final lines are addressed to His final lines are addressed to Desdemona and he shows her one Desdemona and he shows her one last act of tenderness: “last act of tenderness: “to die upon to die upon a kiss”a kiss”

At the end Lodovico and Gratiano At the end Lodovico and Gratiano take pity on him and Cassio says take pity on him and Cassio says “he “he was great of heart”was great of heart”