othello - jenny he

8/7/2019 Othello - Jenny He

1/3

Shakespeares Othello is an Aristotelian tragedy that depicts the swift downfall of the

noble moor, Othello due to his fatal character flaws; gullibility and jealousy, which are

aggravated by the villain, Iago. Although named after Othello, the play also revolves

around Iago, who possesses the majority of the lines and orchestrates the main plot, the

actions and minds of the other characters, thus it is difficult to determine the centralfigure in the play and which bears the greater responsibility for the tragedy. The theme

appearance and reality, the key to Othellos downfall, and belonging is thoroughly

explored by Shakespeare through various techniques such as language and structure,

and modern audiences also recognise race and the role of women as significant issues

to the play.

1/1/84-137

Throughout the extract, Iago frequently references Othello to various animals in the

form of venomous insults, which show his revengeful and villainous nature. This

foreshadowing effect builds tension, allowing the audience to foresee Othellos downfall

due to Iago, which is one of the integral aspects of an Aristotelian tragedy. In the

previous lines in Act I, Scene I, Iago does not exhibit a notable interest in Othellos

background and race, however due to his awareness of Brabantios attitude to Othellos

colour, he emphasises the differences between Othello and Desdemona and

Desdemonas vulnerability through the imagery, an old black ram Is tupping your white

ewe. This shows that Iago does not have a consistent voice, and readily adopts a tone

and manner which will suit his deception, from blank verse to prose, further indicating

that he will be a vital factor in Othellos inevitable destruction. It is also emphatic in

stereotyping Othello as the other; inferior, uncivilised and dangerous, thus showing

that Othello will never achieve the acceptance he desires due to his race, although he is

a highly regarded general in society. These derogatory, animal references can also be

seen in the lines youll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse youll have

your nephews neigh to you, youll have coursers for cousins, and jennets for germans.

1/3/59-170

At the beginning of this extract, Brabantio refers to spells and medicines bought of

mountebanks, and witchcraft, when speaking of Othellos courtship of Desdemona,

further enforcing the stereotype of the other and the outsider onto Othello. However,

Othellos measured and respectful speech and mannerisms and perfect composure; he

waits to speak and apologises for his lack of eloquence Rude I am in my speech,

directly contrasts with Brabantios indignant and implausible accusations. Along with the


2/3

frequent arrivals of message-bearers and formal, and the static mood of the scene, it

can be seen that Othello is a valued general in Venetian society. The establishment of

Othellos nobility early on in the play is the foundation for the Aristotelian tragedy

structure.

The issue of the role of women is also raised in this extract. A maiden never bold; Ofspirit so still and quiet that her motion to fall in love with what she feared to look on?

shows the established preconceptions on a womans role and nature in society;

obedient and passive. The manner that Brabantio takes when speaking of his daughter,

objectifies women and demonstrates the patriarchal society of that time.

3/3/90-170

Scene 3 is pivotal to the plot and to Othellos downfall and shows Iagos exploitation and

trickery which eventually fills Othellos mind with jealousy and murderous intent until the

ending of Othello is almost inevitable. Appearance and reality is a prominent theme in

this extract.Dramatic irony is used by Shakespeare to foreshadow the destruction of

Othellos mind and body, chaos is come again. Iago's deception of Othello begins with

seeming reluctance to divulge troubling thoughts, which nonetheless are hinted at

sufficiently for Othello to demand to know more, Honest my lord?, Think my lord.

Iagos reflective questions and mirroring of Othellos words provoke Othello to ask

further about Cassio and also plant the first seeds of doubt of Desdemonas fidelity into

his mind. As Iago's poison takes hold, the audiences interest focuses more and more

on Othello, as he considers the reasons for the supposed betrayal, and its implications

for himself both as a private and a public man. As Othello is a black man, one of his few

self-perceived passages into acceptance in the Venetian into society, is his white wife,

Desdemona and with the loss of his wifes loyalty follows the loss of belonging.

Iagos warning of jealous, It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it

feeds on. Is a precise portrayal of Othellos jealousy, as Iago is able to gain insight into

Othellos mind. The imagery the meat it feeds on, suggests that Othellos jealousy will

slowly eat into his mind until he ultimately reaches his downfall.

4/1/23-46

This extract clearly shows both the mental and physical deterioration of Othello

coordinated by Iagos manipulation. Othellos speech, once controlled and confident

becomes disjointed and manic, conveyed by the use of short sentences and excessive

exclamation marks. This is the consummation of Iagos intent as from now on, Othello is


3/3

thoroughly convinced of Desdemonas infidelity due to the deception of the

handkerchief. To Othello, this ocular proof is all that he requires for the conviction of

Desdemona. The assimilation of Iagos language; dark imagery, into Othellos;

Hanged, O devil, confirms this fact.

5/2/29-126

The beginning of Act 5, Scene 2 is the tragic climax to the play and the reason to

Othellos downfall. Shakespeare presents Othellos point of view to the audience in a

soliloquy containing poetic imagery, whiter skin of hers than snow And smooth as

monumental alabaster, to show Othellos deep love for Desdemona, proving to the

audience that he is good at heart but is only corrupted by his fatal flaw, jealousy, as

emotions overturn rationality. This evokes empathy from the audience and composes

the final pieces of the tragedy. Put out the light and then put out the light and When I

have plucked thy rose, I cannot give it vital growth again are symbolic for the death of

Desdemona.

othello - jenny he

Documents