dr johnson criticism

  • in contrast to rymer, dr. johnson's (1765) response to othello was positive

  • johnson viewed othello as magnanimous, artless, and credulous, with boundless confidence, ardent affection, inflexible resolution, and obdurate revenge

  • he also noted the play's useful moral lesson against making unequal matches

    • is it then othello’s fault for choosing desdemona, even whilst knowing the inferiority of his position