Othello Critics Flashcards

Flashcards about Othello's critics

According to Honigmann, what is Iago's hamartia?

His overconfidence in himself and underestimation of loyalty and friendship.

What does Honigmann call Iago, highlighting his appeal to the audience?

'The play's chief humorist.'

According to Leavis, what is Othello's hamartia?

His susceptibility to others' words.

How does Leavis view Othello's ending?

As tragically pathetic, sentimentalizing himself and dying belonging to the world of action without changing.

According to Loomba, what is the play a 'nightmare' of?

Racial hatred and male violence.

According to Loomba, why is Iago successful in his manipulations?

Because Othello is predisposed to believing his pronouncements and is an agent of misogynistic beliefs.

What tension is highlighted by Loomba regarding Desdemona's father and Othello?

Tension between state and family, where Desdemona's father cannot approve of Othello despite the senate's approval.

According to T.S. Elliot, what kind of love does the play present?

A poem of human love divine.

What are the two loves that lead to Othello’s downfall according to Elliot?

His love for Desdemona, and his love of being in a respectable and powerful position (hubris).

According to Phillips, how does Othello view Desdemona?

As the love of a possession, reflecting a hegemonic masculine way to own her.

According to Neely, who is all equally concerned with rank and reputation?

Cassio, Iago, and Othello.

According to Jardine, what role does Emilia play in Iago’s plan?

Emilia unintentionally helps Iago by circulating the defamation of Desdemona when she picks up Desdemona’s dropped handkerchief.

According to Jardine, what does Desdemona become?

A stereotype of female passivity; Shakespeare reduces her to a conventional tragic victim.

According to Quin, what does Othello become a victim of?

False consciousness, internalizing the belief that a white woman could never love a black man.

According to Quin, what is Othello's hamartia?

His acceptance of his role as the insecure outsider, conditioned to inherent hierarchies.

According to Warren, what role does Iago have on stage?

The 'stage manager.'