Othello AO5 critics
Name of critic Theme/ character Key points Any interesting My opinion
they are discussion quotes?
Alexandra Iago Iago twists others “Revealing the I agree with most of
Melville. positive traits against dangerous underbelly of her points and find
them his earlier misogynistic many of the things she
His extreme misogyny ‘joke’” points out particularly
Iago is pure evil “Iago’s success lies in interesting. Examples
Iago is an envious his ability to distort and being the irony behind
character pervert what should be Iago’s reputation, his
The irony of his other characters’ most extreme misogyny and
reputation as being positive traits” the idea of Iago being
extremely honest yet “Desdemona is just like pure evil. I also very
very deceptive all women - women who much like her ideas
consume and indulge in about how misogyny is
gluttonous pleasures” portrayed in the play
as a whole.
Edward Berry Othello’s alienation Many critics ignore the “Set apart from venetian On some level, I do
and race topic of Othello’s race society… his language, think that
and argue he is with its unusual rhythms, Shakespeare’s
representative of all men grandeur, and exoticism” intention with Othello
with his same flaws “While not was to comment on
Some critics like Lerner ethnographically the nature of humanity
and Gerard argue accurate, such thinking in a way outside of the
Othello is a savage frees one to imagine racial. At the same
simply trying to resist his authentic cultural time however, I cannot
nature difference” help but agree that
Berry argues “Othello’s pride appears there was a clear,
Shakespeare created a at times as vanity, at specific idea he had
realistic portrayal of what times as rightful behind his choice with
a ‘moor’ was like in the self-respect. His the character and I do
Elizabethan era passionate nature leads believe it is a very
He argues Othello is to murderous violence, interesting idea that
extremely alienated from but it also contains deep makes sense that him
the rest of Venetian love and tenderness.” being a moor links to
society, especially his the themes of duality
language. and truth vs reality in
the play.
Name of critic Theme/ character Key points Any interesting My opinion
they are discussion quotes?
Alexandra Iago Iago twists others “Revealing the I agree with most of
Melville. positive traits against dangerous underbelly of her points and find
them his earlier misogynistic many of the things she
His extreme misogyny ‘joke’” points out particularly
Iago is pure evil “Iago’s success lies in interesting. Examples
Iago is an envious his ability to distort and being the irony behind
character pervert what should be Iago’s reputation, his
The irony of his other characters’ most extreme misogyny and
reputation as being positive traits” the idea of Iago being
extremely honest yet “Desdemona is just like pure evil. I also very
very deceptive all women - women who much like her ideas
consume and indulge in about how misogyny is
gluttonous pleasures” portrayed in the play
as a whole.
Edward Berry Othello’s alienation Many critics ignore the “Set apart from venetian On some level, I do
and race topic of Othello’s race society… his language, think that
and argue he is with its unusual rhythms, Shakespeare’s
representative of all men grandeur, and exoticism” intention with Othello
with his same flaws “While not was to comment on
Some critics like Lerner ethnographically the nature of humanity
and Gerard argue accurate, such thinking in a way outside of the
Othello is a savage frees one to imagine racial. At the same
simply trying to resist his authentic cultural time however, I cannot
nature difference” help but agree that
Berry argues “Othello’s pride appears there was a clear,
Shakespeare created a at times as vanity, at specific idea he had
realistic portrayal of what times as rightful behind his choice with
a ‘moor’ was like in the self-respect. His the character and I do
Elizabethan era passionate nature leads believe it is a very
He argues Othello is to murderous violence, interesting idea that
extremely alienated from but it also contains deep makes sense that him
the rest of Venetian love and tenderness.” being a moor links to
society, especially his the themes of duality
language. and truth vs reality in
the play.
