The play Othello, or any Shakespeare play, is relevant in the way that it allows us to become aware of our surroundings. It furthers our understanding of society, and of human nature. What makes Othello special? Othello is an outsider who is intelligent and confident in military matters but socially insecure.
What are facts about Othello?
Othello. Othello is a Moorish (African) general in the Venetian army and an eloquent storyteller who is respected, but often treated as an outsider. He has promoted Cassio to lieutenant while leaving Iago as ensign. Othello falls in love with Desdemona and they secretly marry; later, he leaves to Cyprus to stop the Turks.
What is the plot of Othello?
Othello's plot follows the downfall of the valiant black general, Othello, who serves Venice. At the beginning of the play, Othello happily marries Desdemona, the daughter of a Venetian senator.
What are the character traits of Othello?
Othello's black skin stands out in the pearly white society of 16th-century Venice. He is a sumptuous character, glowing with nobility and grandeur. He is introduced as a man of great honor and strength of both mind and body. He narrates his military past, the glory and the pain, with eloquence, passion, and humility.
What is Othello based on?
Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story 'Un Capitano Moro' ('A Moorish Captain') by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565. Rest of the in-depth answer is here.
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What makes Othello special?
Othello is an outsider who is intelligent and confident in military matters but socially insecure. He leads an intense life, swinging between triumph and dread. He is different from those around him, due to his origins and his life history, but he shares their religion, values, and patriotism to Venice.
Why is it significant that Othello is a Moor?
Why is Othello referred to as the Moor? Othello is referred to as the Moor because of his dark skin color. The term was initially used to describe people from the ancient Roman province, which is now North Africa, but over time the word "Moor" became an ambiguous term used to describe anyone who had dark skin.
What does Othello symbolize?
Iago manipulates the handkerchief so that Othello comes to see it as a symbol of Desdemona herself—her faith and chastity. By taking possession of it, he is able to convert it into evidence of her infidelity.
What does the story of Othello teach us?
“Othello” is a cautionary tale. It prompts us to check our reflexive feelings and to befairer and more generous toward those whom we might dismiss or pigeonhole. It also encourages us to be more forgiving of others' trespasses.
Why is Othello a tragic hero?
Othello is a tragic hero because he is noble, he suffers from a fatal tragic flaw and he goes through a tragic downfall. All these traits that Othello exhibits lead him to be known as one of the most well-known tragic heroes in all of literature.
How essential to the play is the fact that Othello is a black man a Moor and not a native of Venice?
How essential to the play is the fact that Othello is a black man, a Moor, and not a native of Venice? The fact that Othello is not a native of Venice and a black man is essential to the play -- In act one, scene two, Desdemona's father is infuriated at the idea of his daughter marrying a black man.
What is the irony in Othello?
In William Shakespeare's Othello, Iago's evil plot against Othello provides dramatic irony. We, the audience, know exactly what Iago is planning, but Othello has no idea. We see verbal irony when Iago tells Othello to be careful about jealousy. He really does not want Othello to be careful.
Is Othello an allegory?
Allegory An example of allegory from Othello is the handkerchief that Othello gives to his wife. It's the symbol of their love and when Desdemona loses it, it destroys their love. The moral is that their love is strong, when Desdemona loses this token, she has broken the marriage.
What are the major images of Othello?
Iago uses a lot of animal imagery to describe Othello. In Act 1 Scene 1, he calls him a 'Barbary horse' and an 'old black ram', using these images to make Desdemona's father angry and telling him that Othello and Desdemona 'are making the beast with two backs'. This continues in Iago's soliloquies.
Why is Othello still important today?
The universal themes of betrayal, racism and jealousy show that the tragedy Othello explored the issues that are still seen in modern society. Betrayal, which is a leading theme in the play, is relevant to today's audiences. Othello is often considered as a tragedy of betrayed trust.
What can students learn from Othello?
Through Othello, students can witness and examine the effects of racism, specifically isolation and stereotyping, on a person.
How does Othello relate to his society?
How does Othello relate to his society? He is distrusted by most of his peers and superiors. He is seen as a symbol of reason and purity. He is an outsider but also respected and admired.
How were the Moors regarded in Othello?
The Moors were known as monstrous and savage in Elizabethan England. Being a differenct skin color other than white meant you were non english and non christian.
Why does Iago say the Moor?
Iago then says “Were I the Moor I would not be Iago.” This shows that if their roles were reversed and Iago was general, he wouldn't have desire to be the in lowest class of servants like he actually is. This line shows Iago's jealousy towards Othello's position in society.
WHO calls Othello a Moor?
The Duke does that, then asks for Othello's story, saying, "Say it, Othello" (1.3. 127). When Desdemona arrives she proclaims her duty to her husband, "the Moor, my lord" (1.3. 189).
Was Othello a black Moor?
He meant instead someone with darker skin than an Englishman at a time when Englishmen were very, very pale. Although Othello is a Moor, and although we often assume he is from Africa, he never names his birthplace in the play.
Why does Othello love Othello?
Love for Othello puts order, peace, and happiness into his mental world, which would otherwise lapse back into chaos. He has grown up in exile, slavery, danger, and despair, now, as a professional soldier, he lives amongst chaos on the battlefield, but he need no longer have it in his inner being, because he has love.
Who does Othello tell his story to?
Othello tells his life story to Desdemona, and she sees him through his words. The life of early separation from home and family, followed by danger and adventure, is perhaps the life story of thousands of men down the ages who become soldiers of fortune and who end up as corpses in ditches at an early age, unwept, unpaid, and unrecorded. Othello's achievement is not so much that he survived this unpromising life, but that he survived it in such a spectacularly successful manner, ending up one of the most powerful men in the Venetian defense forces.
Why does Othello think Desdemona loves another man?
Iago finds it easy to drive Othello to jealousy and think that Desdemona loves another man because he already feels that her love for him is too good to be true. Othello sees Cassio as the man most Venetian women in Desdemona's position would like to marry and, therefore, as the man she would turn to if she ceased to love her husband. In a way, he is waiting for the dream to come to an end, for Desdemona to decide that she has made a mistake in marrying him.
What does Iago do to Othello?
However, once he makes a decision, he is again the military man, decisive in action. Iago has only to push Othello to the belief that he has been betrayed, and Othello does the rest, judging, condemning, and executing Desdemona.
What is the character of Othello?
Character Analysis Othello. Othello is a combination of greatness and weakness, in his own words "an honourable murderer" (V.2, 295). He is a general in the Venetian defense forces, and, although a foreigner from Africa, he has won this post by excellence in the field of war.
What does Othello feel about his marriage?
Othello feels that his marriage is at the pinnacle of his life: "If it were now to die, / @'Twere now to be most happy, for I fear / My soul hath her content so absolute, / That not another comfort, like to this / Succeeds in unknown fate" (II.1, 190-194). He is triumphant in war and in love, the hero at his greatest moment. Such triumph, in a tragedy, cannot last.
What is the cruel fate of Othello?
Fate is cruel to Othello, like the cruel fate of ancient Greek tragedies. Like the Greek heroes, Othello can confront this fate only with the best of his humanity. In his final speeches, Othello brings again a flash of his former greatness: his military glory, his loyalty to Venice, the intensity of his love, and his terrible realization that, by killing Desdemona, he has destroyed the best in himself. No man has full control over his life, but a man can judge himself and perform the execution and die with his love.
Why is Othello so popular?
Although Othello is an origin of the historical literature, it continues to captivate audiences who are endeared to witness the tragic, cosmic play created by the famous playwright, William Shakespeare. The reason why the story of Othello continues to run in the main streets is because of the interplay of themes that is contained in the script. Racism, love, honor, judgment, jealousy, trust and betrayal are intense expressions that can be perfectly seen in this one single, extraordinary piece of work. The tragedy that revolves around the life of Othello as intensified by greed and wickedness of the Iago’s character and supported by strong personalities of the other characters makes the play more captivating and interesting to watch.
Why does Othello continue to run in the main streets?
The reason why the story of Othello continues to run in the main streets is because of the interplay of themes that is contained in the script. Racism, love, honor, judgment, jealousy, trust and betrayal are intense expressions that can be perfectly seen in this one single, extraordinary piece of work.
Who wrote Othello?
The fame of Othello lives on because of one brilliant man behind the words of this script, the Bard of Avon, William Shakespeare.
Why is Shakespeare's Othello still relevant today?
Why is Shakespeare’s “Othello” still relevant in today’s audience s? “When you begin a journey of revenge, start by digging two graves: one for your enemy, and one for yourself. ” – Jodi Picoult. Othello is a very well-known Shakespearian text and is still relevant to today’s audiences. The themes in “Othello” are still applicable to today’s many audiences; Betrayal is a key theme presented in Othello, and is also still relevant to today’s audiences. Racism is a significant addition presented in the play, and unfortunately still pervades contemporary society.
What are the themes of Othello?
The themes in “Othello” are still applicable to today’s many audiences; Betrayal is a key theme presented in Othello, and is also still relevant to today’s audiences. Racism is a significant addition presented in the play, and unfortunately still pervades contemporary society. Madness and jealousy drive the action as it thrives in the play;
What is the betrayal in Othello?
Betrayal is portrayed in Shakespeare’s “Othello” all through the act and even from the very beginning; Act 1, Scene 1- Iago and Roderigo are discussing their hatred towards Othello. During this discussion, the racism and sort of indirect betrayal is brought out in the play as Iago explains to Roderigo his manipulating scheme leading to the betrayal and downfall of Othello; their captain and supposed ‘respected’ leader. Betrayal- in however many forms it may pursue- is sadly displayed regularly in life, and through many unwarranted situations varying even from day to day.
What is the love between Desdemona and Othello?
The love between Othello and Desdemona is completely typical and possesses the characteristics of young crazy love. After their sudden elopement, their love was put to an unexpected test as Desdemona accompanied Othello on the battle against the Turks; a sort of unorganised honeymoon.
What is racism in Shakespeare?
Racism is a major issue associated in the reigns of the context of this script. The period of this Shakespearean text was also situated at the time of increase in hatred, discrimination and racism towards black ethnic races.
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Why is Othello's geography important?
The geographical references in the play help to show that Othello is well travelled and experienced in the different ways of the world – even if he may not be able to adapt to these different cultures. For the audience of the time it provides a more believable reason as to why Desdemona would fall in love with him (Elizabethans would not have believed she could love him for his looks but it would seem more acceptable for his interesting, vibrant personality and tales of his travels).
Why is Othello in Cyprus?
The main reason the main body of action in ‘Othello’ is in Cyprus is so that Venetian interests in the island may be protected and defended from the Turks. Because Cyprus is in a state of military readiness and in need of defence this provided Shakespeare with a much more suitable place, than the civilised Venice, for the dramatic tension and events about to take place with Othello, Iago and Desdemona.
What is the setting of Shakespeare's Othello?
Venice was a powerful and wealthy city-state in the early 17th century. The habitants of it were seen as elegant but decadent. Shakespeare uses the setting of Venice as a tool to enhance the characterisation of Othello. Othello is not Venetian and this makes him feel and appear as an outsider. He feels conscious of the fact that he may not be able to understand the subtleties of Venetian culture, this leads to him feeling uncomfortable and defensive. Although Othello is not at ease he is still viewed favourably by the Duke of Venice “If virtue no delighted beauty lack, your son-in-law is far more fair than black”. This shows that Othello has an excellent reputation according to the high standards of Venetian culture. This is highlighted when he is trusted with the defence of Cyprus from the Turks. Although this is only on a professional basis. One of Othello’s major downfalls is that he lets his passions overrule his head – he does when he is Othello the moor but not when he is Othello the general.
How does Othello move?
We begin in a bustling street in Venice and end up in a confined space of a bedchamber/bed. This movement from large open areas to small confined spaces is a clever dramatic technique that draws the audience in by creating a sense of claustrophobia. These gradual transitions throughout the course of the play reflect Othello’s behaviour. At the beginning we observe a gentleman with an active life who has many interests, especially in his military capacity as a general. However, by the end of the play he is obsessed and consumed with the untrue belief that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio.
Why does Othello look like the enemy?
Othello is from the Barbary Coast so because of his physical difference and dark complexion he looks like the enemy – he appears more as Arab than Venetian. Also, Berbers were typically thought to be barbaric. People like Othello as long as he sticks to his station as a general but then when tries to integrate with their culture (i.e. when he marries Desdemona) they do not agree with it and can’t see past the fact he is a black Berber. In a similar vein to Othello’s looking like the enemy, Iago is named after the patron saint of Spain. England and Spain had conflict enemy at the time of the plays writing.
What are the themes of Othello?
Themes such as jealousy, deception and passion interwoven through the text of ‘Othello’ make the story riveting. But before we can understand why events take place and characters motivations’ it is important to analyse the geographical arena in which the story of Othello and the moral struggles of the characters are brought to life. By including real locations, which Elizabethans would have herd of, the play appears to be more realistic. ‘Othello’ is reasonably geographically accurate and this helps to make the play, with it’s unlikely events, seem more plausible.
Why is Italy important to Shakespeare?
Using Italy as a setting allowed Shakespeare to take advantage of its exotic and fashionable reputation and suspend the disbelief of the audience. Because the action does not take place in surroundings the audience would be familiar with it seems almost surreal. Being aware of a wide world at the start of the play helps to increase the intensity as the tension of the story rises, coming to a climax at the bedchamber scene – by the end of the play the audience and characters have their outside world blocked out and it is of unimportance. This also helped to increase the scale and sweep of Shakespeare’s storytelling by including the outside world. This is quite ironic considering Othello is a domestic tragedy and ultimately the only importance is the immediate surroundings of Othello and Desdemona’s bedchamber.
