Othello’s Marriage Defence Scene (Act 1 Scene 3)
Major Themes: Love, Journey, Religion/Faith
Thesis: Shakespeare explores the themes of love, journey, and
religion/faith through characterizing Othello as being heroic and admirable
as he explains that the love between Desdemona and him is authentic
through the utilization of various stylistic devices. THEMATIC.
Iago’s Soliloquy (Act 1 Scene 3)
Thesis: Shakespeare constantly utilizes the theme of appearance vs.
reality to characterize Iago as manipulative and sadistic. The exploration of
appearance vs. reality is shown in this extract through the manipulation of
Roderigo, Othello, and Cassio
Green-Eyed Monster (Act 3 Scene 3)
Major Themes: Appearance vs. Reality, Jealousy
Thesis: Shakespeare explores the themes of jealousy and
appearance vs. reality through the interaction of Iago and Othello. Their
bond is strengthening through Iago counselling Othello about the rumors of
Desdemona’s affair through the utilization of diction and metaphors.
THEMATIC.
Handkerchief Scene (Act 3 Scene 4)
Major Themes: Witchcraft/Supernatural, Jealousy, Appearance vs.
Reality
Thesis: Shakespeare explores Othello’s increasing suspicion of
Desdemona through the themes of witchcraft, jealousy, and appearance
vs. reality through the use of various stylistic devices. This highlights the
transformation of his character and how his relationship with Desdemona is
deteriorating. THEMATIC.
Bedroom Scene (Act 1 Scene 3)
, Major Themes: Race, Death, Self-Knowledge
Thesis: Shakespeare emphasizes the tragic nature of this scene as
he juxtaposes Othello’s feelings of love for Desdemona to his act of
murdering in this pivotal moment of the plays resolution. This is done by
exploring the themes of race, death, and self-knowledge through various
stylistic devices. THEMATIC.
The Fat Black Woman Goes Shopping
Major Themes: Journey, Discrimination, Identity
Thesis: Grace Nicholls critiques society’s beauty standards and
portrays everyday struggles immigrants face in England during this time
through exploring the themes of journey, discrimination, and identity
through various stylistic devices. THEMATIC.
First Generation Monologue #1
Thesis: This IOC will provide an analysis on how grace Nichols
reminds her children and her general audience of immigrants of their roots
and heritage and informs the reader about the journey of cultural
assimilation made by first generation immigrants through examining various
stylistic devices. LINE BY LINE.
First Generation Monologue #2
Thesis: This IOC will provide an analysis on how grace Nichols
reminds her children and her general audience of immigrants of their roots
and heritage and informs the reader about the journey of cultural
assimilation made by first generation immigrants through examining various
stylistic devices. LINE BY LINE.
, Othello’s Marriage Defense Scene (Act 1 Scene 3)
Introduction
❖ I will be analyzing an extract from William Shakespeare’s famous tragic play titled
Othello, published in 1603.
➢ Comes from an Italian play called “Un Capitano Moro”
❖ This extract occurs in Act 1 Scene 3, in the beginning of the play.
❖ Before this extract:
➢ There is military conflict, in which there is a challenge of the Venetian stronghold
in Cyprus
➢ Roderigo+Iago are on the streets gossiping about Othello’s secret marriage with
Desdemona
➢ Iago tells Brabantio (Desdemona’s dad) about the marriage because he is mad at
Othello for not choosing him as lieutenant, in which he announces his grievance
❖ In this extract, Othello explains to Brabantio and other generals that him and
Desdemona are in fact in love with not witchcraft involved, through a soliloquy.
❖ This is a pivotal moment in the play because the audience is getting to know Othello as a
character, in which he is characterized as being heroic and noble through his
storytelling-> state of mind is still together.
➢ The irony of the marriage, as a black man and white woman are together, is
being proven as true love instead of just lust.
➢ Monologue is a dignified+persuasive speech-> lets audience get to know
character, has to sell himself to everyone
➢ Iago’s plan is beginning to form
Thesis: Shakespeare explores the themes of love, journey, and religion/faith through
characterizing Othello as being heroic and admirable as he explains that the love between
Desdemona and him is authentic through the utilization of various stylistic devices. THEMATIC.
Love- Shows connection+strong bond-> not only lust
❖ Line 1 (her father loved me, invited me)- Not only Desdemona, but Barbatio also strong
bond with Othello, Othello=welcomed guest=friends=curiosity of Barbatio
❖ Line 2 (still question’d me)- Othello used to go as guest but now being challenged->
juxtaposition of positive vs. negative connotation-> tone of friend vs. commander
❖ Line 19 (seriously inclined)- Diction of inclined-> her choice to come back and listen to
Othello’s stories=love not witchcraft
❖ Lines 20-22- Evidence that there was no seduction, witchcraft, sexul passion that forced
Desdemona to come back-> love blossoms from Othello’s stories
➢ Line 22 (shel’d come again)- Diction saying it was her choice
➢ Line 22 (greedy ear)- Metaphor of how badly she wants to hear Othello’s stories,
greedy=food=mouth-> connotations for passionate+desire-> sounds animalistic
and primal-> tells audience she interested in him first
❖ Line 23 (devour up my discourse)- Desdemona hungry for more, diction of devour->
Desdemona=sexual connotation + desire-> unrealistic expectations of chastity