OTHELLO

The Elements of Tragedy in Shakespeare

Tragedy is best treated as a group as a group word- plays with links one to another, but not necessarily with an element or elements common to all of them.

Divided Minds- Madness plays a large part in Shakespeare interturmoil (what makes them feel like their going mad) and confusion of characters

Divided Within- Characters in tragedies are often find they are divided against themselves.

Divided Nations- A nation against itself is the theme of some of the plays. Characters want power and once they have it they want to make themselves absolutely safe, so the bloodshed continues.

Order and Tragedy

• Order is regarded by many of the characters as a moral matter

• Shakespeare's image of a tragic world is of order breaking down

Suffering and Tragedy

• In tragedy, the consequence of going against what one knows to be right is suffering can be horrible because it is excessive or undeserved

Key Takeaways: Common Features of Shakespeare's Tragedies

• The fatal flaw: Shakespeare’s tragic heroes are all fundamentally flawed. It is this weakness that ultimately results in their downfall.​ (For Othello, his flaw is that he is too trusting of Iago and gullible, as he listens to rumours rather than being rational.)

• ​The bigger they are, the harder they fall: Shakespeare's tragedies often focus on the fall of a nobleman. By presenting the audience with a man of excessive wealth or power, we experience that character's eventual downfall as all the more tragic.

• External pressure: Shakespeare’s tragic heroes often fall victim to external pressures. Fate, evil spirits, and manipulative characters all play a hand in the hero’s downfall.

ACT 1

Scene 1

Act 1, Scene 1 opens up with Iago and Rodreigo. Rodreigo is upset about his money, and he’s upset that Iago is using his cash like it’s his own. This is the very first instance where we see Rodreigo is too trusting.

• Iago says, “Did dream of such a matter, abhor me,” which foreshadows how he treats Rodreigio and is manipulating him to trust him. Iago also uses strong words such as “despise” as a form of manipulation when Rodreigo is suspicious of who “him” is.

• One of the main points which fuels Iago's hatred for Othello is the fact that he wasn’t given a promotion. “Three great ones of the city,” he says, as even important people were telling Othello that Iago deserves the promotion, but it still wasn’t given to him. Because of this, Iago believes Othello is biased and has a vendetta against him, all while bashing Othello: “I know my price; I am worth no worse a place.” Iago feels that he deserves better.

• Iago then undermines Michael Cassio, the person who got the position over him, by calling him ‘soft’. He even says how his wife would cheat on him because he is from Florentine and says he knows nothing about war, nor does he have practical skills. He also states how he has experienced more battles and believes he has been put down by Othello.

• Though Iago is upset about not being promoted, he also states how this treatment is normal and a part of life. “We cannot all be masters, nor can all masters be truly followed” means not everyone can get the postion being very philosophical, but he’s doing it for a purpose. “I follow him to serve my turn upon him”—foreshadows how Iago will eventually betray Othello

• “Others there are, who trimmed in forms and visages of duty, keep yet their hearts attending on themselves, and throwing but shows of services on their lords, do well thrive by them, and when they have lined their coats” – Iago foreshadows how he will be towards Othello. (also a pretend servant who pretends to serve their master but only does it for themselves).

• “In following him, I follow but myself”—doing it for his own benefit. “But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at: (foolish people believing what he’s saying to manipulate people). “I am not what I am” is one of the most important lines of the play, as it showcases how fake Iago is. (appearance vs reality)

• “Rouse him, make after him, poison delight” - Iago states how he plans to make Othello more upset and affect his thoughts. “Proclaim him in the streets. Incense her kinsmen, and though he in a fertile climate dwells.” - Iago wants to embarrass Othello and takes his happiness from him. “Plague him with flies.” *Iago poisons other people.

• Iago and Rodreigo are now at Brabantios place to try and warn him about the moor and Desdemona. “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe.”- Iago paints a picture that his daughter is a victim to an older man, hes also using “black ram” as a stereotype. “You’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse, you’ll have your nephews neigh to you, you’ll have coursers for cousins and jennets for Germans.” comparing their children to horses

“I am one, sir, that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs- imagery

• Rodreigo stereotypes Othello by contrasting Brabantio’s fair daughter against the moor’s black skin tone. “I say again hath made a gross revolt”- saying she made a mistake of being with a black man and “Trying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunes, in an extravagant and wheeling stranger”—Rodreigo speaks about another ster sterotype expressing how Desdemona went from having a rich father to marrying a poor man (assuming hes poor because of his race).

• Brabantio is now panicking that his daughter ran away and plans to fight back, “Light, I say, light”- wants the white people to fight the blacks. “Call up my brother!— O, would you had had her”- says Brabantio as he wanted him to be with Rodreigo instead of Othello after learning he’s black.

• “Pray you lead on. At every house I’ll call— I may command at most. Get weapons, ho! And raise some special officers of night: On good Rodreigo; I will deserve your pains”- Situational Irony

Scene 2

• Scene 2 of the play opens up with Othello, Iago and attendants with torches. “And hath in his effect a voice potential, as double as the duke’s.” Iago is giving the impression that Brabantio has more power than the Duke, which is not the case. Continuing the line, “He will divorce you—dramatic irony—or put upon you what restraint and grievance the law, with all his might to enforce it, will give him cable,” Iago says as the words warn that he will go against Othello.

• “Faith, he tonight hath boarded a land-carrack; if it prove a lawful prize, he’s made for ever.” — Calling Othello a gold digger and comparing Desdemona to a treasure ship. “You, Roderigo? Come, sir, I am for you.” — Iago is hiding the true intentions of their relationship. Othello then says, “Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.” Adverting the violence and showing his authority. (Biblical Allusion, John 18: 1-11).

• Brabantio then says, “Run from her guadrage to the sooty bosom of such a thing as thou—— to fear, not to delight?” — Assuming she ran away from her father’s happiness to Othello’s fear (stereotype). “That thou hast practised on her with foul charms, abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals” Brabantio then presents more racial stereotypes against Othello, assuming he has used drugs on Desdemona to make her fall for him and can’t accept she has fallen for him. He also uses the stereotype of Black people and uses witchcraft.

• “For if such actions may have passage free, bondslaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.”—Brabantio says the future of Italy will be ran by slaves if Othello is left in charge. The line also displays foreshadowing and references the history of slaves.

Scene 3

Scene 3 opens with the Duke and his attendants in a war operations room discussing the attack from Turkey on Cyprus. While the Duke and his men are discussing their plan. Brabantio, Othello, Cassio, Iago, Rodreigo and Officers enter.

The Duke addresses Othello with respect as he is an important leader in Venetian society, and immediately gets down to business. Situational irony is used because of how Brabantio was disrespecting Othello by consistently stereotyping him, which would expect the duke to react the same way to the Moor, but the complete opposite happens. While the Duke addresses Othello accordingly, he addresses Brabantio in a demeaning fashion, “ I did not see you”, showing how Brabantio has interrupted their meeting with foolish matters.

• Brabantio begins his complaints and says, “Is of so flood-gate and o’er hearing nature that it engults and swallows other sorrows”— he uses metaphor and hyperbole to express his feelings about what his daughter has done, and it has left him in shambles. The news has devoured his other sorrows, as it is now the only thing on his mind. Brabantio has exaggerated so much to the point that the senators think she is dead. He then goes on to say “She is abused, stolen from me and corrupted, by spells and medicines bought of mountebanks.”— accusing Othello of using witchcraft again as well as stereotyping him. He also uses the word “corrupted” in a literal and figurative way, saying how her body has literally been tainted by magic from Othello, as well as her mind.

• While Brabantio has accused Othello, the Duke pardons him, giving him a chance to speak. Othello starts by addressing him with respect and then goes on to admit that he did marry his daughter, but denies any use of magic to woo her.”Of my whole course of love: what drugs, what charms, what conjuration and what mighty magic— for such proceeding I am charged withal— I won his daughter”

• Brabantio then counterargues his point by saying, “He wrought upon her”, stating Othello has manipulated her feelings. Brabantio describes Desdemona as someone who is frail and innocent, which is not the case.

• Othello then speaks about how Brabantio invited him over to his place and listened to his stories (Brabantio sees Othello as a source of entertainment), “Her father loved me, oft invited me, still questioned me the story of my life”. Othello then goes on to say how it was the stories thst he told made Desdemona fall for him “That heaven had made her such a man, she thanked me” and “She loved me for the dangers i had passed and I loved her that she did pity them, this only is the witchcraft Ihave used”— While she fell for him from his stories, he fell for her from her reactions.

• The duke then states that he believes Othello would have fallen for his own daughter and wants Brabantio to dismiss the matter. He tells him “Men do their broken weapons rather use, than their bare hands”— to make good use of the situation rather than wasting time about it. As Brabantio accepts defeat, he asks his daughter to choose between him and Othello.

• Desdemona addresses her father with respect but states, “I am hither to your daughter. But here’s my husband; and so much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father”— as she is now doing what her mother did when she married Brabantio and puts her loyalty to Othello by saying “Due to the Moor my lord”

• Hearing this, Brabantio no longer wants Desdemona as his daughter. “I am glad at soul I have no other child; for thy escape would teach me tyranny”— saying if he had other children, they would get harmed if they did the same. Brabantio also finds what the Duke is saying as pointless because his heart is broken beyond repair, “He bears the sentence well that nothing bears, but the free comfort which from thence he hears”

• After this, the Duke goes back to speaking about the war with Othello. He states how hes so used to war that it has become comfortable fpr him and he has a natural ability of war. He also requests for a fit place f him and Desdemona while he’s at war. “That I did love the Moor to live with him” —Desdemona wants more bonding time with her husband and doesn’t only love him for his stories.

• Othello then wants Iago to watch over Desdemona, calling him “A man he is of honesty and trust”—which is a dramatic irony as the audience knows Iago is the exact opposite. The Duke then says to Brabantio, “Your son-in-law is far more fair than black”— a line that speaks to how Othello is a person of character rather than the stereotypes cast upon him and is better than what he is perceived as. “She has deceived her father and may thee”— Brabantio accepts defeat and further emphasises that Desdemona has chosen Othello over him. END OF PART 1 (to me)

• (Part 2 with Iago and Rodreigo)— Rodreigo has started to lose hope, stating, “I will incontinently drown myself”. But Iago mocks him, calling him a fool for wanting to commit suicide, “Why, thou silly gentleman”. Rodreigo then says, “It is silliness to live, when to live is torment” and then “we have a prescription to die, when death is our physician”,— essentially stating it is silly to live if you’re being tortured. Iago reacts to his feelings by mocking Roderigo, and doesn’t want him to lose hope. He starts to encourage Roderigo to take matters into his own hands and control the situation, using animal imagery to highlight and compare himself to a baboon to say that if he is making irrational decisions, then he might as well become an animal.

• We then go into Iago’s first soliloquy in which he compares human bodies to gardens: “Our bodies are our gardens to the which our wills are gardeners…” While this is a metaphor, Iago uses this comparison to state that just like how humans are composed of emotions and we are in control of them, just like how a gardener can control what he plants, Iago encourages Roderigo to take charge of the situation when he thinks that suicide could be the greatest way to deal with his unrequited love for Desdemona. This is also ironic, as Iago is telling Rodreigo to control his emotions while he cannot control his hatred towards Othello.

• “Come, be a man! Drown thyself? Drown cats and blind puppies!”—Iago is telling Rodreigo to man up and keep trying. He also foreshadows how he will drown Othello (figuratively) and refers to Othello as the blind puppy because he is too trusting, essentially saying kill something weaker than you. He then goes on to speak about Othello’s and Desdemona’s relationship, as he does not think their relationship will last. The use of repetition is presented in the quote “Put, but money in thy purse”

• “The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts shall be to him shortly as acerb as coloquintida”—Iago compares Desdemona to food, expressing how Othello will grow sour of her and ‘coloquintida’ is a bitter apple. He also refers to Desdemona as “a super-subtle Venetian”, using the stereotype of Venetian women being lustful and saying Desdemona will end up being tired of Othello and his old body. It also adds suspense as the audience is able to see how the plan will be executed. “I hate the Moor, My cause is hearted; thine hath no less reason: let us be conjunctive in our revenge against him”—situational irony.

• “Thus do I ever make my fool purse” — This quote is where we see Iago planning to cheat Rodreigo ouyr of his money and create a rumor that Othello slept with his wife even though its false “Hes done my office. I know not if’t be true, but I, for mere suspicion in that kind,” and “After some time to abuse Othello’s ears that he is too familiar with his wife”— as he also plans to lie to Othello saying Cassio is sleeping with Desdemona. “The Moor is of a free and open nature”— expressing Othello is too trusting.

• Rhyming couplet at the end helps to solidify Iago’s plans to manipulate the respective characters, as well as presents imagery of Iago as the Devil. It also presents the theme of evil and deception: “I have’t It is an engendered: Hell and Night, Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light”. Iago displays his strength in his ability to manipulate the characters and the audience effectively. This will help him to succeed in his plan because, though his accusations are baseless, he is still able to convince the characters of Othello's doing. He also uses the trust Othello has in him as a strength to paint the false narrative of Cassio sleeping with Desdemona. This would cause the plan to be successful as Othello is more likely to believe someone he trusts.

ACT 2

Scene 1

On the shores of Cyprus, Montano, the island’s governor, watches a storm with two gentlemen. Just as Montano says that the Turkish fleet of ships could not survive the storm, a third gentleman comes to confirm his prediction: as his ship travelled from Venice, Cassio witnessed that the Turks lost most of their fleet in the tempest. We see Cassio arrive first, but without Othello, uncertain if he has survived the storm. While discussing, Montano mentions Othello “for I have served him, and the man commands like a full soldier”— commending Othello and his leadership skills, like from ACT 1. After a while, we see Iago arrived, as well as Desdemona, Emilia and Rodriego. The men give her the respect she deserves as Othello’s wife and bow to her. Desdemona immediately requests the whereabouts of her husband, but unfortunately, he and Cassio were separated due to how strong the fleet was.

• Cassio then kisses Emilia, only doing it because he has manners. We then see Iago start to disrespect his wife, “Sir, would she give you so much of her lips, as of her tongue she oft bestows on me, you’d have enough”- referring to her as a chatterbox. Desdemona then comes to her defence, and this starts Iago on his views of women. “You are pictures out of doors”— describing how women act differently based on the person they’re around. “Players in your housewifery: and housewives in your bed”—stating that women’s only role is to do housewife roles and engage in sexual activity. He changes the mood in the atmosphere because of how he’s speaking of women to two women… “If she be fair and wise: fairness and wit. The ones for use. The other uses it,”— saying that if a woman is smart and beautiful, she will be treated better than a woman who uses her wit.

• Desdemona then asks Cassio what he thinks of Iago, stating “He speaks home, madam: you may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar”- expressing Iago is not as smart as he is a good soldier. This is when we see Iago in an aside plotting on how he plans to use Cassio as a ploy to his plan and spin their interactions of proportion “With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio”—simile. After this, Othello has arrived, and we see how happy and relieved he is to see his wife. Expressing his happiness with the lines “It gives me wonder great as my content. O my soul’s joy” and “As hell’s from heaven. If it were now to die, ‘Twere now to be most happy: for i fear my soul hath her content so absolute” conveying how if he died he would be happy that theyre still married but the fact that theyre both alive he is overjoyed. While we see how overly content Othello is in seeing his wife, the audience is presented with a juxtaposition of Othello’s and Iago’s views about women. Othello is more loving and affectionate towards Desdemona; Iago's behaviour contrasts when he speaks to Emilia and Desdemona, who speak ill of women and state that they should play a more domestic role in duties and in sexual matters. 

• Desdemona also expresses her joy in seeing Othello: “The heavens forbid but that our loves and comforts should increase even as our days do grow” saying their love will continue to grow while they are still alive (dramatic irony because the audience knows Othello’s love will turn to jealousy). As they kiss, Iago has his second aside, “O, you are well tuned now! but i’ll set down the pegs that make this music, as honest as i am”—as every song has an ending, just like how Othello’s marriage will end (foreshadowing)—imagery and presents the theme of division and tragedy. As Othello and Desdemona exit, Iago speaks with Rodreigo and starts to spread the rumor that Desdemona is in love with Cassio “First, I must tell thee this: Desdemona is directly in love with him”, “Mark me with what violence she first loved the moor but for bragging and telling her fantastical lies” He then goes on to speak ill of Othello and explain the reasons why Desdemona would cheat on Othello“ what delight shall she have to look on the devil?” presents irony because he compares Othello to the devil but he has the personality of a devil. “loveliness in favour, sympathy in years, manners and beauties—all which the Moor is defective in”—Iago refers to Moor as ugly (racism). “Now, for want of these required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge, disrelish and abhor the Moor”— referring to Desdemona as a typical Venetian woman, lustful (reinforces stereotypes), saying how she will start to find Othello disgusting and leave. “Very nature will instruct her in it, and compel her to some second choice”— according to Iago, as she falls out of love with Othello, she will move on to Cassio. Though Iago expresses all of this, Rodreigo does not believe him. This is where we see another one of Iago’s manipulation tactics repeating ‘Didst’ to convince Rodrigo to believe his lies, even getting frustrated and saying “Villainous thoughts Rodreigo”. Eventually, Rodreigo is convinced and agrees to help Iago with his plan. Iago then goes into a soliloquy describing how he plans to use Cassio in his revenge scheme, “Even to madness. Tis here, but yet confused: Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used”, expressing how he never saw Cassio until he decided to use him

Scene 2

• Scene 2 is the celebration of Othello. Although this scene is brief, it highlights the fleeting nature of the situation before everything goes downhill. “Heaven bless the isle of Cyprus and our noble General, Othello” setting the stage for the heroic tragedy.

Scene 3

• Scene 3 begins with Othello, Desdemona, attendants and Cassio. after returning from the war, it is now time for Othello and Desdemona to consumate the marriage. Othello places Cassio in charge to watch over with Iago, and Cassio says, “Iago hath direction what to do”— which shows his confidence in Iago when the audience is aware of his true intentions. Othello regards “Iago is the most honest”— once again, dramatic ironyis  being presented as the audience knows he is the opposite of honest. Iago now enters and engages Cassio in a conversation with Desdemona, being the topic. He refers to her a Jove, which is an allusion to Greek mythology of the goddess known for seducing women. This is where we see Iago’s first step of corruption, which is speaking ill of Desdemona to Cassio “and I'll warrant her full of game”. Though Iago tries his best to have Cassio think malicious thoughts of Desdemona, he then realises he can’t change his mindset. “Well, happiness to their sheets!” This causes Iago to retort to his second act of corruption, which is getting him drunk, “Come, lieutenant, I have a stop of wine and near without are a brave of cyprus gallants that would have fain a measure to the health of black othello”. thought reluctant, cassio agrees “I'll do't, but it dislikes me”

• Iago then goes into another soliloquy, describing how he plans to use cassio as a tool of destruction, alongside Desdemona. “he'll be as full of quarrel and offense as my young mistress dog”. he also plans to use Rodreigo and his unrequited love for Desdemona to aid in his plans and make a fool of him“ Now my sick fool Rodriego, whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out, to Desdemona hath tonight caroused, positions pottle-deep; and he’s to watch”.This would have an impact on the audience invoking a feeling of sadness for Rodreigo

• As they all enter, they sing a song which persuades cassio to drink and presents the them of appearance vs reality. As the men drink, they all exit except Iago and Montano. This is the chance Iago uses to spread lies of cassio being a constant drunk head. Rodriego enters and Iago then uses Rodriego to fetch cassio. as Iago and Montano keep talking, cassio has entered again chasing Rodreigo (intentional). Montano tries to diffuse the situation, they start fighting as Iago signals to Roderigo to cry mutiny to gain attention of the moor.

• Othello has now entered angry and confused “have you forgot all sense of place and duty? hold! the general speaks to you :hold for shame!” as he expects order from his men. As Othello tries to understand what happened, Iago acts clueless saying he’s unaware of what started the fight. He then moves to cassio, who also says he does not remember how the fight started. Othello tries to get an answer from Montano but he is too injured to speak, relaying back to Iago to speak the truth or he is not a true soilder“if partially affined or leagued in office , thou dost deliver more or less than truth, thou art no soilder”. This impels Iago to state what happened, he emphasises cassio and his aggressiveness, “Cassio following with determined sword to execute upon him” and “for that I heard the clink and fall of swords and cassio high in oath” “though cassio did some little wrong to him, as men in rage strike those that wish them best” he says destroying cassios reputation. Due to how much trust Othello has in Iago he instantly believes him and fires cassio “I know, Iago thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, making it light to cassio—Cassio, I love thee; but never more be officer of mine. Desdemona enterns and the audience is impacted as we are reminded of who will be the most affected by the end of the play.

• As Othello departs, Cassio now realises that he lost his job “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation…My reputation, Iago, my reputation!”. As Cassio is saddened, Iago then starts being hypocritical: “Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit, and lost without deserving”. Cassio then describes the wine as the devil, and just like how it destroyed him, Iago will ruin Othello. Cassio is then determined to ask Othello for his job again, “I will ask him for my place again, he shall tell me I am a drunkard” Iago then advises him to speak to Desdemona about it, as she is kind and free. As they bid each other goodnight, Iago address the audience directly “And whats he then that says I play the villian, when this advice is free I give and honest, probal to thinking and indeed the course to win the moor again?”— this makes the audience confused as we know he is the villian but since he has done one good thing the audience is now conflicted. After this, Rodreigo enters, expressing his money has been wasted because the plan has not worked at all “My money is almost spent.” Iago then insists that Roderigo be patient, “What wound did ever heal but by degrees?”— stating how the plan is going to take time to come to fruition, like how a cut takes time to heal. “Yet fruits that blossom first will first be ripe. Content thyself awhile”— he uses fruits to tell Rodreigo to be patient, just like how fruits need time to ripen. Rodriego now exits, and Iago is excited to see his plans start to be executed: “Ay, that’s the way: dull not device by coldness and delay”.

ACT 3

Scene 1

•     Scene 1 begins with Cassio and musicians. This is the first introduction of the character Clown. He mocks their music: “Why, masters, have your instruments been in Naples that they speak i’th’ nose thus?” Many sexual remarks are also made by the clown, which provide humour: “O, hereby hangs a tail”—referring to the penis and “marry, sir, by many a wind instrument I know”—speaking of the bottom/anus. After the musicians

Scene 2

Iago, Othello, and a gentleman walk together at the citadel. Othello gives Iago some letters to deliver and decides to take a look at the town’s fortification.

Scene 3

Scene 4

ACT 4

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

ACT 5

Scene 1

Scene 2