Critic a helps establish…critic b deepens this by
While critic a reads the play as..critic b offers a different perspective suggesting
however the former interpretation is more persuasive due to [a certain
quote/context/event]
As critic a suggests
This is complicated by critic bs views that
While critic a is persuasive here the text also suggests
Taken together these views imply
Writer’s intention
Didactic function-teach or deliberately tries to improve the audience’s moral
understanding
Cautionary tale
Constructs are socially enforced but psychologically internalised.
Context
Theatre performances were a very popular form of entertainment in the late
Elizabethan and early Jacobean periods.
Shakespeare draws on renaissance ideas in his work e.g he explores the
psychology of his characters in depth.
Female roles played by young boys
Critics
Honigmann and Othello: The portrayal of Iago
Summary: highlighting the role of Iago (themes of jealousy/manipulation/public vs
private)
Iago is a humorous character and very clever (clear villain). Honigmann argues that
the combination of being evil and witty creates a moral dilemma for audiences
Key quotes;
“Fellow feeling”-audience’s reaction
“The play's chief humorist”
"His humour also makes him seem cleverer than his victims” links to Mack’s belief
that having the guise of madness allows for privilege to say things other characters
wouldn't be able to without receiving criticism however using humour and ‘jokes’ as a
buffer allows for this. Seen when Hamlet plays the guise of a madman allowing him
to talk about the corruption of human nature and Lear about the corruption of the
Jacobean social system which Shakespeare could hardly have risked apart from this
license.
,Reaction to other critics:
Loomba argues that England was hostile towards foreigners so Iago’s reaction
wouldn't surprise them-supports Loomba as Iago succeeds due to racial insecurities.
VS Charles Lamb who states that Iago succeeds due to his “intellectual activity”
But Honigmann argues that it is unpredictable for the audience due to Iago’s
“essential sadism”, “Iago excels in short-term tactics, and not in long term strategy”
(Hongmann’s justification for his unpredictability). Connects with Katsan’s argument
about Shakespearean tragedy and the lack of ability to plan long term
FR Leavis: The character of Othello
Summary: Othelllo exaggerates his suffering and “self-dramatising”-his character as
performative. Othello does not demonstrate explicit lessons learned by the end
Key quotes:
“Othello dies belonging to the world of action”-military role becomes more important
than what he does. Mack agrees with this argument as the idea of revenge vs
military
Final speech by Othello “done the state some service”. Agrees with Nuttall as he
focuses on the pleasure of tragedy that Othello seems to prioritise
“There is no tragic self-discovery”-summary of the argument and position on Othello
“Coup de theatre”-Othello sentimentalises anguish. Honigmann disagrees with this
approach.
“Dictated dispatch”-Othello’s language mirrors and elaborates how he wants to
perform. Challenges Loomba’s arguments, who focus on Othello as a victim of race
and society. Honigmann who disagrees with this argument. Leavis thinks that
societal events and demographics don't matter and instead it is more about the
tragedy of his character in the play itself.
Bathos is dulling of emotions used after a serious scene covering it with humour
Pathos is invoking emotions of pity
MEGALOPSYCHIA-VIRTUE OF A PERSON WHO KNOWS THEY ARE TRULY
GREAT AND BEHAVES WITH DIGNITY,SELF RESPECT AND PROPORTIONATE
PRIDE.
Masculinity and femininity
SHakespare’s presentation of masculinity reveals its instability as well as reliance on
femininity in order to uphold within the rigid meritocratic society. By doing so,
Shakespeare critiques the facade of masculinity and anticipates a more progressive
view of women. This is demonstrated through the fact the tragedy is ensued as a
result of the exploitation of Desdemona’s reputation driving forth iago's schemes,
, iago’s unnatural loathing towards women and how femininity threatens patriarchal
authority. This aligns with Loomba's argument that women functioned as outsiders ,
often becoming ‘martyrs’ of the very patriarchal order they are expected to uphold.
Shakespeare’s presentation of femininity reveals its profound impact on male ego
and its influence in disrupting the homosocial patriarchal order. However Iago takes
advantage of this and exploits this power in order to drive his schemes as he relies
on emilia to secure the “ocular proof” and reinterprets Desdemona's behaviour to
manipulate Othello. In doing so, Shakespeare both critiques the patriarchal men who
weaponise women’s actions and underscores the limited agency women possess,
giving his tragedy a didactic function.
Iagos manipulation of desdemona and emilia due to his homoerotic desires
Othello’s easily deceived due to his fragile ego
Role of rebellion
Shakespeare presents silence as a source of masculine power whereas for women it
results in death, revealing unequal consequences of speech for men and women.
“I never will speak word”-unlike emilia who dies speaking refusing to “charm [my]
tongue”, power of silence despite emilia exposing the truth she dies for the sake of it
and is dismissed whereas through silence iago retains his power over the characters
in the play, Shakespeare highlights double standards between men and women as
silence for men still equates to power while speaking out equals death. Bayler-emilia
is the mouthpiece for repressed femininity
Shakespeare explores gender as a site of power and vulnerability, using contrasts
between couples like Othello and Desdemona and Iago and Emilia revealing how
patriarchal expectations corrupt intimacy and distort moral perception.
AO5-melville, presented as a misogynistic character who uses crude and sexual
language to manipulate other characters and audience to his will.
“As of her tongue she oft bestows me”-nature of their relationship-crude speech,
female speech is to be bestowed or distributed, Iago treats women's language as a
kind of sexual resource rather than genuine expression. Possessive
pronoun-reduces female identity to male interpretation, noun tongue hints at
anxieties around women’s verbal power. Could be argued that women are more
intellectually superior and thus need to be suppressed by their husbands
“You rise to play and go to bed to work”-sexual imagery, antithesis makes misogyny
sound casual and socially accepted. Shakespeare uses Iago's flippant language to
expose a culture in which masculinity depends on dominating women.
While critic a reads the play as..critic b offers a different perspective suggesting
however the former interpretation is more persuasive due to [a certain
quote/context/event]
As critic a suggests
This is complicated by critic bs views that
While critic a is persuasive here the text also suggests
Taken together these views imply
Writer’s intention
Didactic function-teach or deliberately tries to improve the audience’s moral
understanding
Cautionary tale
Constructs are socially enforced but psychologically internalised.
Context
Theatre performances were a very popular form of entertainment in the late
Elizabethan and early Jacobean periods.
Shakespeare draws on renaissance ideas in his work e.g he explores the
psychology of his characters in depth.
Female roles played by young boys
Critics
Honigmann and Othello: The portrayal of Iago
Summary: highlighting the role of Iago (themes of jealousy/manipulation/public vs
private)
Iago is a humorous character and very clever (clear villain). Honigmann argues that
the combination of being evil and witty creates a moral dilemma for audiences
Key quotes;
“Fellow feeling”-audience’s reaction
“The play's chief humorist”
"His humour also makes him seem cleverer than his victims” links to Mack’s belief
that having the guise of madness allows for privilege to say things other characters
wouldn't be able to without receiving criticism however using humour and ‘jokes’ as a
buffer allows for this. Seen when Hamlet plays the guise of a madman allowing him
to talk about the corruption of human nature and Lear about the corruption of the
Jacobean social system which Shakespeare could hardly have risked apart from this
license.
,Reaction to other critics:
Loomba argues that England was hostile towards foreigners so Iago’s reaction
wouldn't surprise them-supports Loomba as Iago succeeds due to racial insecurities.
VS Charles Lamb who states that Iago succeeds due to his “intellectual activity”
But Honigmann argues that it is unpredictable for the audience due to Iago’s
“essential sadism”, “Iago excels in short-term tactics, and not in long term strategy”
(Hongmann’s justification for his unpredictability). Connects with Katsan’s argument
about Shakespearean tragedy and the lack of ability to plan long term
FR Leavis: The character of Othello
Summary: Othelllo exaggerates his suffering and “self-dramatising”-his character as
performative. Othello does not demonstrate explicit lessons learned by the end
Key quotes:
“Othello dies belonging to the world of action”-military role becomes more important
than what he does. Mack agrees with this argument as the idea of revenge vs
military
Final speech by Othello “done the state some service”. Agrees with Nuttall as he
focuses on the pleasure of tragedy that Othello seems to prioritise
“There is no tragic self-discovery”-summary of the argument and position on Othello
“Coup de theatre”-Othello sentimentalises anguish. Honigmann disagrees with this
approach.
“Dictated dispatch”-Othello’s language mirrors and elaborates how he wants to
perform. Challenges Loomba’s arguments, who focus on Othello as a victim of race
and society. Honigmann who disagrees with this argument. Leavis thinks that
societal events and demographics don't matter and instead it is more about the
tragedy of his character in the play itself.
Bathos is dulling of emotions used after a serious scene covering it with humour
Pathos is invoking emotions of pity
MEGALOPSYCHIA-VIRTUE OF A PERSON WHO KNOWS THEY ARE TRULY
GREAT AND BEHAVES WITH DIGNITY,SELF RESPECT AND PROPORTIONATE
PRIDE.
Masculinity and femininity
SHakespare’s presentation of masculinity reveals its instability as well as reliance on
femininity in order to uphold within the rigid meritocratic society. By doing so,
Shakespeare critiques the facade of masculinity and anticipates a more progressive
view of women. This is demonstrated through the fact the tragedy is ensued as a
result of the exploitation of Desdemona’s reputation driving forth iago's schemes,
, iago’s unnatural loathing towards women and how femininity threatens patriarchal
authority. This aligns with Loomba's argument that women functioned as outsiders ,
often becoming ‘martyrs’ of the very patriarchal order they are expected to uphold.
Shakespeare’s presentation of femininity reveals its profound impact on male ego
and its influence in disrupting the homosocial patriarchal order. However Iago takes
advantage of this and exploits this power in order to drive his schemes as he relies
on emilia to secure the “ocular proof” and reinterprets Desdemona's behaviour to
manipulate Othello. In doing so, Shakespeare both critiques the patriarchal men who
weaponise women’s actions and underscores the limited agency women possess,
giving his tragedy a didactic function.
Iagos manipulation of desdemona and emilia due to his homoerotic desires
Othello’s easily deceived due to his fragile ego
Role of rebellion
Shakespeare presents silence as a source of masculine power whereas for women it
results in death, revealing unequal consequences of speech for men and women.
“I never will speak word”-unlike emilia who dies speaking refusing to “charm [my]
tongue”, power of silence despite emilia exposing the truth she dies for the sake of it
and is dismissed whereas through silence iago retains his power over the characters
in the play, Shakespeare highlights double standards between men and women as
silence for men still equates to power while speaking out equals death. Bayler-emilia
is the mouthpiece for repressed femininity
Shakespeare explores gender as a site of power and vulnerability, using contrasts
between couples like Othello and Desdemona and Iago and Emilia revealing how
patriarchal expectations corrupt intimacy and distort moral perception.
AO5-melville, presented as a misogynistic character who uses crude and sexual
language to manipulate other characters and audience to his will.
“As of her tongue she oft bestows me”-nature of their relationship-crude speech,
female speech is to be bestowed or distributed, Iago treats women's language as a
kind of sexual resource rather than genuine expression. Possessive
pronoun-reduces female identity to male interpretation, noun tongue hints at
anxieties around women’s verbal power. Could be argued that women are more
intellectually superior and thus need to be suppressed by their husbands
“You rise to play and go to bed to work”-sexual imagery, antithesis makes misogyny
sound casual and socially accepted. Shakespeare uses Iago's flippant language to
expose a culture in which masculinity depends on dominating women.
