AO4 / AO5 Flashcards
(49 cards)
This production highlights the limited theatrical convention to present Venice due to a small stage.
Jonathon Miller
This production was filmed in Venice, perhaps making it more appealing and realistic to a modern audience.
Kenneth Branagh
Othello is a tragedy that proceeds from misunderstandings and misconceptions.
Donkor
‘Othello’ is a tragedy of racial conflict.
Robeson (black actor)
‘Othello’ is a story focusing on the death of chivalry, romantic courting and Othello’s inability to love.
Leigh Copas
In this production, Iago’s speech is fast-paced and comical.
Jonathon Miller
In this production, Brabantio’s function a Senux Iratus is emphasised through his confusion.
Jonathon Miller
In this production, Desdemona’s speech is clear and eloquent, but she lacks emotion.
Jonathon Miller
In this production, Othello is played by a white man. He is laid-back and has a general lack of concern.
Jonathon Miller
In this production, there is a close-up shot of Iago whispering into Othello’s ear.
Kenneth Branagh
The Moor’s stories allow Desdemona to experience the exotic and erotic delight.
Virginia Mason Vaughan
Othello transforms into the ideal Renaissance lover, one who seeks spiritual love over physical love.
Leigh Copas
The loss of a hawk was considered a financial blow; Desdemona is therefore a prized , valuable possession.
Kate Ashdown
The handkerchief’s pattern of strawberries adds domesticity and femininity to his war-like personality, making his moorish culture civilised and cultivated.
Andrew Brown
Othello is not the beast we expect. In the end, it is Iago who is the ‘inhuman dog’.
Andrew Brown
The handkerchief’s ‘spotted’ pattern of red strawberries implies the loss of virginity.
Donkor
The handkerchief draws parallels with all three women, revealing the true nature of a woman’s role - a sexual being for a man.
Kiernan Ryan
Othello is more vulnerable to Iago because he is black. Othello is kept at a distance from the audience whereas Iago has a ‘seductive intimacy’ with the audience.
Kiernan Ryan
In this production, Othello is wrapped in chains in order to symbolise Iago’s control.
Kenneth Branagh
In this production Othello imagines a hyper-sexualised scene between Desdemona and Cassio, highlighting Jacobean fear of cuckoldry and female sexuality.
Kenneth Branagh
Jacobean theatrical performances often portrayed black men as villainous. However, Othello is the hero of the play whilst Iago, the white racist, is the villain.
Dickinson
Jacobean portrayals often reduce women to saints, mothers or whores.
Melville
Othello transplants the rapid, impulsive decision-making of the battlefield to the domestic sphere.
Donkor
This actor views the play in two halves. In the first half, Othello is wise, astute and mature whereas in the second half, Othello is obsessive, compulsive and a murderous maniac.
Quarshie (black actor)
