Othello - William Shakespeare
Othello, written in 1604, by William Shakespeare is a Mediterranean tragedy set in Venice in
the late C16th, roughly modern to the time. The play spans five acts, typical of a
Shakespearian tragedy, where we follow the tragic hero’s rise to the reversal of his fortune
through to his fall.
Key Themes:
● Jealousy
● Love
● Marriage
● Proximity and Distance
● Race
● Truth and Deception
Othello is a Moorish (African ) general in the Venetian army and an eloquent storyteller who is
respected but also treated as an outsider. The term Moor has been used alternatively to
describe the reign of Muslims in Spain, Europeans of African descent and others for centuries.
The Moor’s represented a growing interchange between Europe, the Middle East, Asia and
Africa.) Despite his military prowess, Othello is also portrayed as exotic, hypersexual, and
untrustworthy—“a lascivious Moor” who secretly marries a white woman—reflecting historic
stereotypes of black people.
The first black man to appear in Shakespeare’s performance was in the C19th.
Act 1 Scene 1
During the first act we see Roderigo and Iago telling Brabantio (Desdemona’s father) that they have
seen the secret marriage of Desdemona and Othello, Roderigo is jealous of Othello. Brabantio seeks
to go after Othello after he discovers it is true that she has been married as she is not present in her
bedroom. Iago says that Othello has promoted an inexperienced soldier, Michael Cassio, over him
and that he hates Othello and wants to take revenge on him. To cause trouble, Iago urges Roderigo
to wake up Brabantio and inform him of his daughter’s elopement.
Conflict and tragedy:
● The conflict of marriage seems of little political significance
● However, Shakespeare juxtaposes Roderigo’s failure to marry Desdemona within Iago’s
failure to gain promotion
● Shakespeare makes it clear that private and public issues will collide
● Brabantio is making the marriage between Othello and Desdemona a public and political
affair
,‘An old black ram/ Is tupping your white ewe!’ (1.1.88) - RACISM
- Shakespeare shows early ideas of racism and patriarchy in the C16th within this metaphor
of Othello and Desdemona. He presents the black evil and white innocence to evoke the
message of Othello stealing and abusing Desdemona through sexual and animalistic
imagery.
‘Father’s from hence trust not your daughters’ minds’ (1.1.169) - PATRIARCHY/ ROLE OF WOMEN
- Demonstrates patriarchal values of the time and further the protection of Brabantio over his
daughter, stating that you can not trust your daughter and they are not competent enough
to make their own decisions in life.
‘You’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse’ (1.1.110) - RACISM
- Referring to Othello as a black African horse all over Desdemona, describing sex in an
animalistic way and further stating his grandchildren will be horses. This conveys the racist
ideology within much of Europe during the C16th where stereotypes of black people were
prominent.
‘Your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs’ (1.1.115) - RACISM
- Iago stirs up trouble between Brabantio and Othello by using a crude euphemistic metaphor
which highlights Iago’s crassness and his desire to harm those above him in society.
‘Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags!? Thieves Thieves!’ (1.1.80) - ROLE OF WOMEN
- Imagery makes it clear that males view females in the house as possessions and nothing
more.
- Repetition of the word ‘thieves’ and the possessive pronoun ‘your’ emphasises the hysteria
of Iago and the drama within the events.
‘I am not what I am’ (1.1.64) - DECEPTION/ DUPLICITY
- This quote highlights the duplicity and deception of Iago. It also carries religious
connotations, similarly god says to Moses ‘ I am that I am’; in saying this Iago is going against
Christian conventions, epitomising his evil and two faced nature.
Act 1 Scene 2
In Act 1 Scene 2 Iago has come to Othello to warn him that Brabantio knows about him and
Desdemona, showing he is two faced and conniving, even though it was Iago who had told him
(betrayal). Iago tells Othello that Brabantio is a respected noble person who Is almost like a duke, to
which Othello says will not intimidate him as he is from royal blood himself and he has lots of
military experience. Then suddenly, Cassio and his men march over to Othello to tell him the Duke
would like to speak to him immediately about state matters concerning Cyprus. While Othello is
getting ready Iago begins to tell Cassio that Othello is married; but before he can say who Othello
comes back outside interrupting them. All of a sudden, Brabantio, Roderigo and a group of angry
men approach them and draw their swords to Othello, Iago pretends to be on Othello’s side.
Othello wisely instructs the men to put away their swords ; this is similar to John chapter 18 in the
bible when officers arrive with swords to arrest Jesus and Judice pretends to be loyal to Jesus but
,is actually betraying him, portraying Othello as Jesus and Iago as the betrayer Judice. This shows
Othello as honourable and noble in character, much like Jesus. Brabantio accuses Othello of stealing
his daughter and insults Othello saying his daughter would not have fallen for him unless she was
drugged and wants his arrest. However, he cannot go as he must see the Duke, so Brabantio goes
with Othello to see the duke.
"My parts, my title and my perfect soul/ Shall manifest me rightly." (1.2.31) - REPUTATION
- It can be taken as very self-absorbed. Othello believes his title and actions will protect him as
he believes he has done nothing wrong. It has both pride and a man defending his own
honour. This idea that he calls himself perfect is very self-absorbed.
- The lexis used here is extremely juxtaposed with Othello’s language used at the end of the
play (Frank Dermode)
- Link to the fact the name Othello means 'he has the sound of God' - he is perfect
"Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them." (1.2.59) - SOCIAL STATUS
- We see here that Othello is an authoritative yet calm figure despite the threat of violence.
His expert suppression of the street fight demonstrates that he is a highly skilled general.
- He is not one to completely resort to violence, thus going against the stereotypes of a
dangerous menace set out in Elizabethan times
‘I love the gentle Desdemona’ (1.2.25) - LOVE AND LOYALTY
- Othello presents the purity of their relationship, and their love before it becomes affected by
external poisons like war and Iago's manipulation.
- He uses soft and gentle adjectives to describe Desdemona giving her an angelic description,
thus reaffirming Desdemona as the ultimate chaste victim (a sacrifice).
‘By Janus, I think no’ (1.2.33) - DUPLICITY/ BETRAYAL/ DECEPTION
- Janus is a two-faced Roman God, thus proving Iago to be the ultimate manipulator, able to
present the facade of a trusting character in order to fulfil his ulterior motives.
- By swearing by this God, it proves to show how he epitomises a 'two-faced' person, and
relishes in it, giving him the title of a Satan like character.
"So opposite to marriage that she shunned/ The wealthy curled darlings of our nation" (1.2.67) -
SOCIAL HIERARCHY
- due to Brabantio’s prejudice views, he cannot understand why Desdemona completely
dismissed the socially and politically correct suitors that have been put forth to her.
- This proves Desdemona's abilities to fight against the social norms for the sack of love.
Through Brabantio saying this it reflects his priorities and hierarchy he sees within society.
Act 1 Scene 3
At the start of the scene we are introduced to the duke and senators set at a table discussing the
rumours of a Turkish invasion of Cyprus when a messenger comes and says that Rhodes is being
invaded and Othello is told to prepare for war. Brabantio then accuses Othello of using witchcraft
against Desdemona. Othello recounts the history of his relationship with Desdemona. She is brought
into the council to confirm his words. Desdemona asks to accompany Othello to Cyprus but Othello
places her in Iago’s care. Brabantio warns Othello about trusting Desdemona and Iago says that he
will help Roderigo seduce Desdemona and cuckhold Othello.
, ‘My daughter, O my daughter!/ Dead?/ Ay to me: She is abused, stolen from me and corrupted By
spells and medicines bought of mountebanks,’ (1.3.60) - ROLE OF WOMEN
- As Othello is black he cannot understand how it is possible for Desdemona would have just
simply had fallen in love with Othello. For that reason begins to conjure accusations that he
has used magic to subdued his daughter.
- This would place Othello in deeper disregard with the audience as magic was something
feared during Elizabethan times, magic was the workings of the devils.
- Moreover, the use of the term ‘mountebacks’ to describe Othello is ironic as it is not Othello
who is the deceiver but Iago
‘Rude am I in my speech And little blest with the soft phrase of peace’ (1.3.83) - SOCIAL STATUS
- In this Othello states that he is not good with words and eloquent speech but is however
good with war. Nevertheless, the audience sees that it is not true. Othello’s speech is vivid,
coherent, and full of literary devices.
- He uses his speech to defend his and Desdemona’s honour. Othello’s speech is
straightforward, and the audience cannot help but believe him. This simplicity of words
allows people to see him as an honest man.
‘A maiden never bold Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion Blushed at herself’ (1.3.95) - ROLE
OF WOMEN
- Brabantio views his daughter in the stereotypical view of women of Elizabethan times as a
submissive and weak woman. He is projecting his views on what woman should be in the
C16th.
- Shows Desdemona's assertive character as she has gone against all her father ever wanted,
and against all the social constructs that were expected of her. She chose love over
everything else.
‘The trust, the office I do hold of you Not only take away, but let your sentence even fall upon my
life’ (1.3.119) - REPUTATION
- Here Othello says to the duke that if he were to persecute Othello he would be ruining his
life, this reinforces the racist ideals of the C16th in Europe and how Othello is more likely to
be persecuted as he is black.
‘Her father loved me oft invited’ (1.3.129) - DUPLICITY/ LOVE
- Othello shows that, despite his reluctance to embrace Othello as a son in law, Brabantio is
still fascinated by him- this is less positive than it first appears, because he is essentially
‘othering’ Othello , considering him something exotic and exciting rather than equal .
- This therefore alludes to the idea Desdemona is not truly in love with Othello and only
admires him for his courageous background and exotic outward appearance.
‘she gave me for my pains a world of sighs, She swore in faith ‘twas strange, ‘twas passing
strange,’ (1.3.160) - LOVE
- Shakespeare uses a hyperbole here within his ‘world of sighs’ to evoke the pity shown upon
Othello in his love with Desdemona.
Othello, written in 1604, by William Shakespeare is a Mediterranean tragedy set in Venice in
the late C16th, roughly modern to the time. The play spans five acts, typical of a
Shakespearian tragedy, where we follow the tragic hero’s rise to the reversal of his fortune
through to his fall.
Key Themes:
● Jealousy
● Love
● Marriage
● Proximity and Distance
● Race
● Truth and Deception
Othello is a Moorish (African ) general in the Venetian army and an eloquent storyteller who is
respected but also treated as an outsider. The term Moor has been used alternatively to
describe the reign of Muslims in Spain, Europeans of African descent and others for centuries.
The Moor’s represented a growing interchange between Europe, the Middle East, Asia and
Africa.) Despite his military prowess, Othello is also portrayed as exotic, hypersexual, and
untrustworthy—“a lascivious Moor” who secretly marries a white woman—reflecting historic
stereotypes of black people.
The first black man to appear in Shakespeare’s performance was in the C19th.
Act 1 Scene 1
During the first act we see Roderigo and Iago telling Brabantio (Desdemona’s father) that they have
seen the secret marriage of Desdemona and Othello, Roderigo is jealous of Othello. Brabantio seeks
to go after Othello after he discovers it is true that she has been married as she is not present in her
bedroom. Iago says that Othello has promoted an inexperienced soldier, Michael Cassio, over him
and that he hates Othello and wants to take revenge on him. To cause trouble, Iago urges Roderigo
to wake up Brabantio and inform him of his daughter’s elopement.
Conflict and tragedy:
● The conflict of marriage seems of little political significance
● However, Shakespeare juxtaposes Roderigo’s failure to marry Desdemona within Iago’s
failure to gain promotion
● Shakespeare makes it clear that private and public issues will collide
● Brabantio is making the marriage between Othello and Desdemona a public and political
affair
,‘An old black ram/ Is tupping your white ewe!’ (1.1.88) - RACISM
- Shakespeare shows early ideas of racism and patriarchy in the C16th within this metaphor
of Othello and Desdemona. He presents the black evil and white innocence to evoke the
message of Othello stealing and abusing Desdemona through sexual and animalistic
imagery.
‘Father’s from hence trust not your daughters’ minds’ (1.1.169) - PATRIARCHY/ ROLE OF WOMEN
- Demonstrates patriarchal values of the time and further the protection of Brabantio over his
daughter, stating that you can not trust your daughter and they are not competent enough
to make their own decisions in life.
‘You’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse’ (1.1.110) - RACISM
- Referring to Othello as a black African horse all over Desdemona, describing sex in an
animalistic way and further stating his grandchildren will be horses. This conveys the racist
ideology within much of Europe during the C16th where stereotypes of black people were
prominent.
‘Your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs’ (1.1.115) - RACISM
- Iago stirs up trouble between Brabantio and Othello by using a crude euphemistic metaphor
which highlights Iago’s crassness and his desire to harm those above him in society.
‘Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags!? Thieves Thieves!’ (1.1.80) - ROLE OF WOMEN
- Imagery makes it clear that males view females in the house as possessions and nothing
more.
- Repetition of the word ‘thieves’ and the possessive pronoun ‘your’ emphasises the hysteria
of Iago and the drama within the events.
‘I am not what I am’ (1.1.64) - DECEPTION/ DUPLICITY
- This quote highlights the duplicity and deception of Iago. It also carries religious
connotations, similarly god says to Moses ‘ I am that I am’; in saying this Iago is going against
Christian conventions, epitomising his evil and two faced nature.
Act 1 Scene 2
In Act 1 Scene 2 Iago has come to Othello to warn him that Brabantio knows about him and
Desdemona, showing he is two faced and conniving, even though it was Iago who had told him
(betrayal). Iago tells Othello that Brabantio is a respected noble person who Is almost like a duke, to
which Othello says will not intimidate him as he is from royal blood himself and he has lots of
military experience. Then suddenly, Cassio and his men march over to Othello to tell him the Duke
would like to speak to him immediately about state matters concerning Cyprus. While Othello is
getting ready Iago begins to tell Cassio that Othello is married; but before he can say who Othello
comes back outside interrupting them. All of a sudden, Brabantio, Roderigo and a group of angry
men approach them and draw their swords to Othello, Iago pretends to be on Othello’s side.
Othello wisely instructs the men to put away their swords ; this is similar to John chapter 18 in the
bible when officers arrive with swords to arrest Jesus and Judice pretends to be loyal to Jesus but
,is actually betraying him, portraying Othello as Jesus and Iago as the betrayer Judice. This shows
Othello as honourable and noble in character, much like Jesus. Brabantio accuses Othello of stealing
his daughter and insults Othello saying his daughter would not have fallen for him unless she was
drugged and wants his arrest. However, he cannot go as he must see the Duke, so Brabantio goes
with Othello to see the duke.
"My parts, my title and my perfect soul/ Shall manifest me rightly." (1.2.31) - REPUTATION
- It can be taken as very self-absorbed. Othello believes his title and actions will protect him as
he believes he has done nothing wrong. It has both pride and a man defending his own
honour. This idea that he calls himself perfect is very self-absorbed.
- The lexis used here is extremely juxtaposed with Othello’s language used at the end of the
play (Frank Dermode)
- Link to the fact the name Othello means 'he has the sound of God' - he is perfect
"Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them." (1.2.59) - SOCIAL STATUS
- We see here that Othello is an authoritative yet calm figure despite the threat of violence.
His expert suppression of the street fight demonstrates that he is a highly skilled general.
- He is not one to completely resort to violence, thus going against the stereotypes of a
dangerous menace set out in Elizabethan times
‘I love the gentle Desdemona’ (1.2.25) - LOVE AND LOYALTY
- Othello presents the purity of their relationship, and their love before it becomes affected by
external poisons like war and Iago's manipulation.
- He uses soft and gentle adjectives to describe Desdemona giving her an angelic description,
thus reaffirming Desdemona as the ultimate chaste victim (a sacrifice).
‘By Janus, I think no’ (1.2.33) - DUPLICITY/ BETRAYAL/ DECEPTION
- Janus is a two-faced Roman God, thus proving Iago to be the ultimate manipulator, able to
present the facade of a trusting character in order to fulfil his ulterior motives.
- By swearing by this God, it proves to show how he epitomises a 'two-faced' person, and
relishes in it, giving him the title of a Satan like character.
"So opposite to marriage that she shunned/ The wealthy curled darlings of our nation" (1.2.67) -
SOCIAL HIERARCHY
- due to Brabantio’s prejudice views, he cannot understand why Desdemona completely
dismissed the socially and politically correct suitors that have been put forth to her.
- This proves Desdemona's abilities to fight against the social norms for the sack of love.
Through Brabantio saying this it reflects his priorities and hierarchy he sees within society.
Act 1 Scene 3
At the start of the scene we are introduced to the duke and senators set at a table discussing the
rumours of a Turkish invasion of Cyprus when a messenger comes and says that Rhodes is being
invaded and Othello is told to prepare for war. Brabantio then accuses Othello of using witchcraft
against Desdemona. Othello recounts the history of his relationship with Desdemona. She is brought
into the council to confirm his words. Desdemona asks to accompany Othello to Cyprus but Othello
places her in Iago’s care. Brabantio warns Othello about trusting Desdemona and Iago says that he
will help Roderigo seduce Desdemona and cuckhold Othello.
, ‘My daughter, O my daughter!/ Dead?/ Ay to me: She is abused, stolen from me and corrupted By
spells and medicines bought of mountebanks,’ (1.3.60) - ROLE OF WOMEN
- As Othello is black he cannot understand how it is possible for Desdemona would have just
simply had fallen in love with Othello. For that reason begins to conjure accusations that he
has used magic to subdued his daughter.
- This would place Othello in deeper disregard with the audience as magic was something
feared during Elizabethan times, magic was the workings of the devils.
- Moreover, the use of the term ‘mountebacks’ to describe Othello is ironic as it is not Othello
who is the deceiver but Iago
‘Rude am I in my speech And little blest with the soft phrase of peace’ (1.3.83) - SOCIAL STATUS
- In this Othello states that he is not good with words and eloquent speech but is however
good with war. Nevertheless, the audience sees that it is not true. Othello’s speech is vivid,
coherent, and full of literary devices.
- He uses his speech to defend his and Desdemona’s honour. Othello’s speech is
straightforward, and the audience cannot help but believe him. This simplicity of words
allows people to see him as an honest man.
‘A maiden never bold Of spirit so still and quiet that her motion Blushed at herself’ (1.3.95) - ROLE
OF WOMEN
- Brabantio views his daughter in the stereotypical view of women of Elizabethan times as a
submissive and weak woman. He is projecting his views on what woman should be in the
C16th.
- Shows Desdemona's assertive character as she has gone against all her father ever wanted,
and against all the social constructs that were expected of her. She chose love over
everything else.
‘The trust, the office I do hold of you Not only take away, but let your sentence even fall upon my
life’ (1.3.119) - REPUTATION
- Here Othello says to the duke that if he were to persecute Othello he would be ruining his
life, this reinforces the racist ideals of the C16th in Europe and how Othello is more likely to
be persecuted as he is black.
‘Her father loved me oft invited’ (1.3.129) - DUPLICITY/ LOVE
- Othello shows that, despite his reluctance to embrace Othello as a son in law, Brabantio is
still fascinated by him- this is less positive than it first appears, because he is essentially
‘othering’ Othello , considering him something exotic and exciting rather than equal .
- This therefore alludes to the idea Desdemona is not truly in love with Othello and only
admires him for his courageous background and exotic outward appearance.
‘she gave me for my pains a world of sighs, She swore in faith ‘twas strange, ‘twas passing
strange,’ (1.3.160) - LOVE
- Shakespeare uses a hyperbole here within his ‘world of sighs’ to evoke the pity shown upon
Othello in his love with Desdemona.
