Othello Flashcards
(40 cards)
Othello act 1 plot summary (exposition):
Scene 1= Iago + Roderigo converse, they inform Brabantio of O&D’s relationship; Scene 2= senate/court hearing- Brabantio accuses Othello of withcraft; Scene 3= Othello’s speech, Iago manipulates Roderigo, Iago’s soliloquy
Othello act 2 plot summary (rising action):
setting shifts to Cyprus; Scene 1= storm, Cassio is flirtatious towards D and kisses Emilia, O expresses passionate love for D, Iago’s soliloquy- attempts to provide a motive; Scene 2= Othello encourages indulgence + hedonism by throwing a party; Scene 3= Iago convinces Cassio to drink alcohol, causing him to attack Roderigo + Othello fires him- he mourns the loss of his reputation, Iago ‘advises’ him to consult Desdemona, Iago’s soliloquy “the net that shall enmesh them all” (climax)
Othello act 3 plot summary (crisis/climax):
Scene 1= Cassio consults D; Scene 2= Othello instructs Iago to deliver letters; Scene 3= ‘temptation scene’ Iago provokes Othello through insinuation tactics- O initially resists, however he begins to question his insecurities: soliloquy “haply for I am black”, Emilia transfers handkerchief to Iago, “I’ll tear her all to pieces!” “arise, black vengeance”, physically defeated by jealousy, kneels to Iago; Scene 4= Othello finds out D has lost the handkerchief, Bianca finds it and accuses Cassio of infidelity
Emilia & Desdemona as foil characters
Emilia rebels against the societal expectations of women (they ought to submit to their husbands and obey them unconditionally): “though we have some grace, we have some galls, yet have we some revenge”, whereas Desdemona adheres to this inferior role as a “fair (…) jewel”- this increases the amount of pathos evoked by the audience at the conclusion of the play, when her inevitable fate/peripeteia occurs; Emilia’s revolutionary feminist views contrast so drastically with Desdemona’s devotion and loyalty to Othello- E serves to heighten D’s virtue to accentuate the tragic impact of her eventual death
Which facades does Iago assume throughout the play?
trusted advisor to Roderigo & Cassio: “you advise me well” (DRAMATIC IRONY); laid-back, easy-going friend encouraging indulgence: “wine is a good, familiar creature” + “you are too severe a moraler”; ignorant, unfortunate witness, clueless: “I cannot speak any beginning to this peevish odds”; heroic saviour, restrained, peace-maker/ diplomat: “myself the crying fellow did pursue”; joker/light-hearted comedian: use of rhyming couplets in conversation with Des; protector of Othello’s dignity/loyal friend; victim of betrayal, requiring vengeance: “like a poisonous mineral gnaw at my inwards,” + “he has done my office”
Othello act 4 plot summary (falling action):
Scene 1= Iago provokes Othello until he “falls in a trance”, he eavesdrops on the handkerchief exchange between Iago & Cassio (“encave yourself”), Othello asks Iago, “get me some poison”, Othello “strikes” Desdemona; Scene 2= Othello confronts Desdemona+ she mourns the loss of his love; Scene 3= willow scene between Desdemona & Emilia “have we not affections, and desires for sport, and frailty, as men have?”
When is the moment of peripeteia in Othello?
The temptation scene (act 3, scene 3)
What is Othello’s hamartia comprised of?
His hubris/regard for ‘masculinity’ & fear of being a cuckold, his overly passionate emotions (malleable- his intense love can easily be twisted and deformed/corrupted/tainted, turned into hatred) “passion collied my best judgement”, his insecurities, his liberal leadership, his military background means that he has been exposed to violence and he is unafraid to committ violent acts, he is capable and experienced (“if I do lift this arm”)
What is Iago’s character arc as antagonist?
Acts 1&2: he is crafting his Machiavellian plot; Acts 3&4: he is carrying it out + orchestrating the other characters’ roles in it; Act 5: he is watching the peripeteia unfold- his plot gets exposed, he uses lack of words as his weapon
Othello act 5 plot summary (resolution):
Othello kills Desdemona in a ritualistic, misogynistic manner, believes he is ‘serving justice’; Emilia is also murdered by Iago- was Shakespeare a feminist?
How is Desdemona objectified+ transacted between male characters Othello and Brabantio?
“jewel” “he hath boarded a land carrack” “how got she out?” “pearl”
Othello’s megalopsychia construction- he treats Desdemona well inititally:
he does not show outward signs of misogyny- instead he lets her speak& provides her with autonomy: “but to be free and bounteous to her mind”, invites her to “witness it”, whereas typically men would be controlling towards their partners, seeing it as a trait signifying ‘masculinity’
Othello is also unafraid to openly, publicly express his affection towards her without shame or embarrassment, stating: “I love the gentle Desdemona.”
Othello’s megalopsychia construction- he has suffered but overcome his difficulties+ climbed the heirarchy:
In 1,3 he recounts the narrative of his life and he has endured “battles, sieges, fortunes”, & he was “sold to slavery” yet now he is a reputable military general who is in demand: “you have been hotly called for” “valiant Othello”
He also remains composed when Brabantio accuses him of using witchcraft “chains of magic” to seduce Desdemona (racist) and responds with “let him do his spite” rather than retaliating with violence- he is initially a pacifist who resists provocation
Othello’s megalopsychia construction- he is initially eloquent + refined:
He speaks in poetic verse, using vivid imagery to elaborately describe his narrative: “hills whose heads touch heaven” (personification/anthropomorphism), however this eloquence gradually deteriorates and by 4,1 he is incoherent, mumbling in fragmented prose
What makes Iago’s role as antagonist so unnerving and fascinating?
He lacks a legitimate motive, so there is no explanation to justify his Machiavellian plotting-his lack of empathy/reason makes him seem sub-human and psychopathic, as he reacs havoc merely to satisfy his desire for entertainment “sport and profit”
How could you argue that Venice is a place of order, whereas Cyprus is a place of anarchy?
characters behave in a more rational, civilised manner in Venice, settling matters through tue court/senate, however when the setting shifts to Cyprus, they resort to conflict (for example the brawl between Cassio and Roderigo in 2,2), meaning the action gradually spirals into turmoil, and restrictions deteriorate entirely
What is the basis of Othello and Desdemona’s relationship?
Othello states, “I loved her that she did pity me,” and “‘twas wondrous pitiful”- he values her sympathy and compassion, she can also relate to how he has been mistreated and discriminated against; both characters can understand one another’s hardships, as they are part of minority groups who have been marginalised (women&black people)
They have also both overcome these obstacles, as Desdemona defies family honour by agreeing to marry Othello, and Othello has become a successful military general despite enduring slavery and relentless racism
How does the extended metaphor of Iago’s “web” which will “enmesh them all” accurately reflect his ingenious scheming?
Webs are carefully crafted, intricate and complex, they are used for predators to capture and “ensnare” their prey, as is Iago’s plan; they are also fragile, and reliant on all elements coming together in order to achieve success- if one element fails, it collapses entirely, each part of his plan is interdependent; webs are not very visible, they are delicate, subtle and hard to detect, similar to Iago’s well-disguised/concealed/hidden plan.
How does Shakespeare use foreshadowing at the beginning of Act 2?
A semantic field of death is used in Othello’s monologue when he is reunited with Desdemona; this could indicate both the death of Desdemona (and many other characters) to ensue, and the death of their relationship which will occur due to Iago’s interference
Zoomorphism/symbolism/pathetic fallacy is also used: “it is a high-wrought flood” “with high and monstrous mane”- this foreboding natural disaster/weather event acts as a warning for the audience of the turmoil which is about to unfold; hyperbolic language reflects enormity of damage which will be caused; storms are inevitable, this further reflects the peripeteia- it is impossible to avoid and stop it from happening, tragic fate
Which key quotes reflect Iago’s duplicity?
“I am a boat which sails freely”- his character is fluid& fluctuates depending on the situation; “I am not what I am”- he admits to his own multi-faceted nature
Quotes which indicate Othello’s resistance to provocation initially:
He demands for Iago to, “give me the ocular proof” and resolutely, defiantly states, “I’ll not believe it.” “She had eyes and chose me” “away at once with love or jealousy!”
How does Shakespeare use the handkerchief as a crucial prop?
It serves as “ocular proof” for Othello, meaning it solidifies/cements his existing suspicions
How does Shakespeare use stage directions to exemplify Othello’s descent & submission to jealousy?
He “kneels” before Iago; in 4,1 he “falls into a trance”
How is pathos for Desdemona’s death heightened?
She is altruistic + diplomatic- Iago turns her “virtue into pitch”
