Your Instructions...
●
●
Passage 1: i:1-60
Continued use of the handkerchief symbol, Iago uses it to provoke the jealousy of Othello and Cassio.
Symbolizes the possibility that the things we love the most, carry the ability to tear us down. (story development of jealousy when left unresolved)
This passage addresses the taboo between women and their relationship with men. During the time period of
Othello, women either had to have a man to cook for and care for and women and men were never to be thought as simply platonic, even in modern days, when a man and women talk and have a relationship, we as a society always assume they are a couple
Iago compares Othello to a savage animal, degrading him and continuing to destroy his reputation. Without credibility, Othello is driven to madness, which Iago believes will ultimately benefit his own social standing
(35- 43) Iago lies to Othello and tells him he has seen and heard Cassio and Desdemona sleeping together, this
Passage 1
Scene 1 1-60
Character development, Iago continues with his mischievous actions. Which shows his development to continuously act upon others actions. (Shakespeare is creating Iago as a character that each audience member can relate to - being disappointed and “wrongly” passed over - Line 6-10 - not being accusatory, but using language that would surely connect/enrage Othello)
Scene 1 Line 14-17 (online)
Theme development- “Her honor is an essence that’s not seen, They have it very oft that have it not”. Iago talks about how many people have reputations that they don’t deserve, seems like a pretty clear reference to Cassio and how he got a position that Iago feels he doesn’t deserve. That jealousy is exactly what drives Iago’s plan for revenge.
(4.1.60) “A horned man’s a monster and a beast”
Passage 2:
i:100-200
Plot and character development, Iago continues to ruin the reputations of those he believes wronged him Othello’s jealousy reaches a peak, as he discovers what he believes to be proof of Desdemona’s infidelity.Commentary, on the tunnel vision acquired both in love and jealousy, love may be blind, but so is
jealousy. Strong parallels between both emotions, lead to a possible theme statement: TBD
Passage 2
(4.1.102) “As he smiles, Othello shall go mad; and his unbookish jealousy must conster poor Cassio’s smiles, gestures, light behaviors quiet in the wrong. How do you lieutenant?” The conflict between Othello and Cassio shows a struggle expressing ignorance and jealousy.
(4.1.127) during the shakespearean time, women had a choice to either have a comfortable life with a husband who would support her financially or to try and survive by herself. There wasn't many respectable employments for women at the time, one being a prostitute. A
women who didn't want to conform and be owned by a man, now for her job she is owned by the dollar.
(4.1.100-103) Through this quote it is apparent that the theme is “jealousy clouds reason and judgment”. As Othello takes Cassio’s behaviour (i.e. his smiles etc.) as him trying to aggravate him. (perception plays a significant role -Othello is so
Passage 3
:i:230-284
Story element:
Iago begins to turn Lodovico against Othello convincing him that he has gone mad
Social commentary on the role of women: at the time: obedience is a key trait in a good woman, tying a woman’s worth to her husband, further promoting the dominance of men
Theme development on reputation. Lodovico regrets the fact that he chose Othello as lieutenant
Othello thinks women are fake, he thinks women fake emotions and use their charm to get what they want. The thought of this helps his insanity proceed further as every word desdemona says he thinks it's a dirty lie, Othello can be labelled as misogynistic but a more trait is skeptic.
243-250 : Othello develops into a paranoid character from a man who is very wise and collected, to very stubborn and trusting towards Iago, as he doesn’t believe Desdemona is sincere and hits her. This shows how his jealousy has completely blinded his
Passage 3
(Plot). Des means well by trying to mend the rift between Cassio and Othello and tries to recruit Lodovico but little does she know she is digging her own grave. She speaks about how much she cares for Cassio and how she would do anything to get them back together, but with each statement she makes Othello’s anger and rage grows to the point of him striking her. (Theme topic; Jealousy)
(Social values). When Othello strikes Des, even the other people there find it an unacceptable act.
(4.3.242) “Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless sees and knows more, much more than he unfolds.:
This develops Iago’s character is the archetype villain by showing how other characters perceive him is a good willed human being and has no flaws who is also very knowledgable and very wise.
235-241
Character development:
Othello is very mad that his position is taken by Cassio,which makes him feel more betrayed. Connecting with the beginning of the novel, when Brabantio tried to kill Othello because of Othello’s relationship with his daughter, Othello feels that he is never equally treated because of his race. Differed from his previous behaviours, Othello is completely changed by jealousy. The words “ fire and brimstone” is quoted from Bible about anger and punishment, which implies that Othello is going to punish the people that he thinks that has betrayed him.
&
Story development:
Passage 4:
ii:60-151
Othello keeps mistrusting desdemona even though emilia proved to him that she didn’t cheat on him . This shows how men didn’t trust in women and only wanted to believe what their male friends were sayingPlot/Characterization: Iago continues to gaslight and mislead Desdemona. She turns to him seeking honest advice, and he puts her, again and again in positions that force her to return for my advice. This is a vicious cycle of dependency, and as long as the characters in this novel are misinformed about Iago, he will continue to have power.
Passage 4
(Social comment). Emilia and Des are very strong female role models, very dependable and independant and strong. - (Pick a line that exemplifies this idea)
(4.2.129) “I will be hanged if some eternal villain, some busy and insinuating rogue, some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office, have not devised this slander. I will be hanged else”
Through the aggressiveness and dominate denemour her element of human nature she’s expressing is the need to be strong. Shakespeare used Emilia’s character to represent women strength and equality.
(4. 1. 112 - 120) (Plot/Character) Desdemona states that she deserves her “chidding” which can be roughly translated to the abuse she encountered with Othello, she loves Othello and she is blinded by his evil
actions because of unfounded jealousy. A case of an abusive relationship that Des can not escape because she committed so much to Othello.
Passage
5:iii:45-106
94-98: Shakespeare is commenting on the
maltreatment of women in this period of time, and how they should be addressed; not as those who are weaker but as equals
65 : Emilia argues that both men and women should be equal and that women are the same as men.This shows that shakespeare was trying to comment on social class and how they viewed women.
105: Desdemona is saying that women are not supposed to learn from the bad to face against men’s betrayal, an eye for an eye, but women should avoid evil behaviors. Desdemona’s recreance makes her unable to argue for her innocence against Othello and suffered from what she was put on.
Passage 5
Story element (characterization). ““Would you ever cheat on your husband?” “Why, wouldn’t you?”.... “But I do think it’s the husband’s fault if we wives cheat on them.”... “ Goodnight, goodnight. I pray that God will let me learn from women like that- not to follow their bad example, but to avoid it!” Characterises Des as a morally sound and kind, loyal, and loving person. Showing that she truly is a strong female role model not deserving of the pain that falls upon her.
(4.3.62) “...tell me, Emilia, That there be women to abuse their husbands in such gross kind”
Shakespeare wants to show that ignorance influences how we perceive truth and reality. We optimistically believe what our emotions want us to believe. He wants us to re-evaluate the social structure of our society and to not believe everything you hear.
(4.3.41-58) Foreshadowing through the song (as a symbol). The song Desdemona sings appears to
foreshadow her eventual end, the story of the song is that of a jealous man that arrives near the base of a willow tree to find the wife he suspects of infidelity weeping, ready to accept whatever wrath he may decide to inflict upon her. It mirrors the text, as in the previous scene, Desdemona begins to submit to the abuse she receives. This is a common trait among abuse victims and characterizes her as such.
