Othello on STAGE 🎭

What are the dramatic methods used on stage?

Proxemics

Staging

Props

Lighting

Gesture

Voice/address

Stage occupancy

Context of reception

Casting

Costume

What are some famous uses of Proxemics when staging othello?

2013: National theatre - Iago sits above Othello drinking water whilst Othello 'falls into a trance'/has a seizure

RSC 2015 - Iago and Othello kneel and hold each other at the end of Act 3. In 3,3, we see Iago cleaning up the stage and wrapping wire around his hand as he speaks to Othello. In control of the stage.

Examples of Casting in Othello:

RSC 2015 - Iago casted as a black man - changes the ideas of race in the play.

There have been lower budget showings of the play in which Iago has been casted as a woman, making the motive of being overlooked for promotion all the more rare, and the recalling of Cassio touching Iago in his sleep horrifying rather than comedic.

How does Shakespeare subvert comedic tropes to heighten the tragedy in Othello?

In comedies, we are normally allowed into the thoughts of the comedic hero. Here, the only person who we are granted access to the mind of is the most heinous villain in Shakespeare.

What does Patrick Brennan say about Iago?

''He gives us a burden of special knowledge.

Why do we support Emilia?

She is our lifeline. She is the closest to knowing and unveiling the truth, yet when she does it is too late and her tragic fate is cemented.

Who is notably missing for the start of Act 5, Scene 2

Iago. Because Iago has been so active in manipulation throughout the play, we would expect him to be there during Desdemona's execution. However, the fact he is not heightens the tragedy as he has manipulated Othello to the point where he does not have to be there, and having Othello kill his wife from his own will is far more powerful than Iago doing it himself.

How many soliloquys does Iago have in comparison to Othello?

Iago: 7

Othello: 1/2

Iago speaks directly to the audience in his soliloquys.

What do we traditionally see in a soliloquy?

A characters humanity. Iago subverts this and his sheer hatred is displayed.

Why does Shakespeare change Iago's delivery of lines throughout the play?

To show his manipulation.

With Cassio he uses prose to create a chatty, friendly dynamic.

When manipulating Othello he uses rythmic verse.

Iago is effectively meta in his ability to change his speech to manipulate characters, making him all the more terrifying as we feel as though he is in our world with us.

How does Shakespeare use stage occupancy for Iago at the end of the play?

He has him stay silent. ''From this time forth I will never speak a word.''