Othello Brief Revision

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  • Created by: kbowler12
  • Created on: 27-10-16 20:48
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  • Othello Revision
    • Plot
      • Act 1
        • Roderigo complains to Iago that he has not told him about Othello and Desdemona
          • Iago convinces Roderigo to wake Brabantio to tell him about Desdemona
            • Brabantio accuses Othello of witchcraft
              • Othello tells of how they fell in love
      • Act 2
        • They arrive in Cyprus
          • When Othello is gone, Iago gets Cassio drunk
            • Iago persuades Roderigo and Cassio to fight
              • Othello blames Cassio for the fight, and emoted him
      • Act 3
        • Iago makes Othello jealous of  Cassio
          • Desdemona's handkerchief is found by Emilia, and she gives it to Iago
      • Act 4
        • Iago plant the handkerchief on Cassio
          • Iago talks to Cassio about Bianca, but Othello thinks it is about Desdemona
            • Bianca accuses Cassio of giving her a second hand gift, and Iago says to Othello that it is Desdemona's handkerchief
              • Othello asks Iago to kill Cassio, and Othello plans to kill his wife
                • Iago convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio
      • Act 5
        • Roderigo attacks Cassio
          • Iago stabs Roderigo
            • Othello strangles Desdemona
              • Emilia calls for help
                • Othello kills Emilia
                  • Othello stabs Iago, but not fatally after finding that Desdemona is innocent
                    • Lodovico apprehends Othello and Iago, and Othello stabs himself
                      • Gratiano replaces Othello, and Cassio is told to punish Iago
    • Characters
      • Iago
        • Possibly Shakespeare's most evil villain
          • Aware that he is acting for selfish reasons, meaning that he has no consideration for others
        • Other's see him as "honest", even though he admits that "I am not what I am"
          • By some, this could be interpreted as he does not want to be this person, but he has no option in order to survive
      • Othello
        • Presented as both an outsider and an insider, which makes his values and character illusive to the audience
        • Not named until act 1 scene 2
      • Desdemona
        • Although she is the main focus for the start of the play, she does not speak until part way through act 1 scene 3
          • This perhaps suggests the women at the time were silenced by men, even though their ideas and opinions are just as valid
        • Throughout the play, she is presented as the victim to a modern audience, but to a Jacobean audience, she brought it upon herself by betraying her father
      • Brabantio
        • Completely tainted with the idea that Desdemona is a possession that he has lost
        • Although him and Othello are good friends, the thought of him with Desdemona overrules this
    • Quotes
      • Act 1
        • "I am not what I am"
          • Iago is aware that he is dishonest, but uses this to take advantage of the situation
        • "An old black ram is tupping your white ewe
        • "The gross clasps of the lascivious Moor"
        • "Your daughter... hath made a gross revolt, Tying her duty, beauty, wit and fortunes in an extravagant and wheeling stranger"
          • She is going against the status quo
        • "Where hast thou stowed my daughter?"
          • Talked about as if she were a possession
        • "Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: She has decieved her father and may thee
          • Brabantio plants fear into Othello's mind that Desdemona could be disloyal to him
      • Act 2
        • "As honest as I am"
        • "And what delight shall she have to look on the devil?"
        • "Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me"
        • "The Moor... is of a constant, loving, noble nature"
          • Iago contradicts his previous thoughts, but is aware of how good Othello actually is
            • Highlights that Iago is a true villain
        • "Wife for wife"
          • Iago wants revenge, even though Othello has done nothing with Emilia
        • "I fear the trust Othello puts in him [Cassio]"
          • "I do love Cassio well"
            • Reinforces facade
        • "Honest Iago, that looks dead with grieving"
          • Acts innocent to create false vulnerability
        • "Our general's wife is now the general"
          • Desdemona is now in control, and Iago can use this to control Othello, as Othello now obeys desdemona
        • "When devils will the blackest sins put on, they do at first with heavenly shows as I do now."
          • Aware that his is tricking others, and is confident that no one will suspect that he is doing evil
    • Tragedy
      • Catharsis
        • Catharsis is present at the end of the play, as the audience, throughout the play, is aware of Iago's intentions
        • The fact that Iago doesn't die makes the audience feel completely powerless, as we are aware of how deeply evil Iago is.
      • Tragic hero
        • Othello is powerful and of high status
        • His lack of self-esteem allows him to be manipulated by Iago into thinking his wife is having an affair
      • Fatal Flaw
        • Pride if Othello's fatal flaw, and this is abused by Iago as he turns his pride into jealousy
        • Fatal flaws are abused by Iago throughout the play, and this is how he ultimately controls others

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