Othello Notes
Othello - Notes on Play * Takes place over three days * “Double time” * Quick same and location changes→ speed up the plot and tension * Domestic * Evil = Othello in one word * Why does Othello choose to believe what Iago says about his wife’s faith, and not Desdemona’s
→ Iago’s only evidence is a handkerchief
→ Tells us that Othello is easily manipulated * Raises the question of what Othello’s relationship is with Iago?
Things to think about when reading the text: * Power of evil and the evil mind * Nature of love * Was Othello and Desdemona’s relationship insecure from the start of the text * The notion of trust is brought in when Othello goes off to Cyprus, because he is leaving her * Power of language and its ability to destroy reputation and the individuals perception of reality * Self-Image and the ends to which Othello will go to preserve it * Revenge! * Obsession with reputation and the consequences of upholding it * Jealousy
ACT 1
Act 1 Scene 1 * Starts off in mid-conversation * Roderigo has leant money to Iago * Iago starts bitching about Othello but doesn’t refer to his name, intriguing to the audience (don’t wanna give to much) * The impending war is mentioned * Introduced three of the major themes * Contrast between appearance and reality (like the Graysons) * Society’s treatment of the outsider (looks at Iago and Roderigo) * Jealousy * Othello - by the end he chooses Michael Cassio to be second in charge who is a Florentine (a Florence) → is an outsider to * He goes on to give his reasons as to why Michael Cassio wouldn’t be a good lutenant * “Mere prattle without practice is all his soldiership” * Not worthy of having this role * “Ancient” = a rank in the army * Othello is the head of the army * “His Moorship’s” = The leader of the moors * This creates negative stereotypes about Othello
Iago is building
→ Iago’s only evidence is a handkerchief
→ Tells us that Othello is easily manipulated * Raises the question of what Othello’s relationship is with Iago?
Things to think about when reading the text: * Power of evil and the evil mind * Nature of love * Was Othello and Desdemona’s relationship insecure from the start of the text * The notion of trust is brought in when Othello goes off to Cyprus, because he is leaving her * Power of language and its ability to destroy reputation and the individuals perception of reality * Self-Image and the ends to which Othello will go to preserve it * Revenge! * Obsession with reputation and the consequences of upholding it * Jealousy
ACT 1
Act 1 Scene 1 * Starts off in mid-conversation * Roderigo has leant money to Iago * Iago starts bitching about Othello but doesn’t refer to his name, intriguing to the audience (don’t wanna give to much) * The impending war is mentioned * Introduced three of the major themes * Contrast between appearance and reality (like the Graysons) * Society’s treatment of the outsider (looks at Iago and Roderigo) * Jealousy * Othello - by the end he chooses Michael Cassio to be second in charge who is a Florentine (a Florence) → is an outsider to * He goes on to give his reasons as to why Michael Cassio wouldn’t be a good lutenant * “Mere prattle without practice is all his soldiership” * Not worthy of having this role * “Ancient” = a rank in the army * Othello is the head of the army * “His Moorship’s” = The leader of the moors * This creates negative stereotypes about Othello
Iago is building