appearance vs reality

Question 1

Iago and Roderigo:

Answer 1

‘our revenge’ ‘no more drowning, do ya hear?’ calls Rodergio a ‘fool’ ‘purse’ only of his benefit.

Question 2

`Iago’s sililouqy:

Answer 2

End with a rhyming couplet: religious imagery, satan.

Question 3

Act 1 scene 3 quotes:

Answer 3

‘I am not what i am’ ‘i am only pretending to be loyal to Othello’Biblical referance: his admission is a subversion to the line ‘i am what i am’ from the bible; Iago undermines the honest portayal and aligns himself with the devil.

Question 4

Epiphet:

Answer 4

‘honest Iago’ He tells montano ‘do but see his vice’ making it sound like Cassio has a drinking problem.

Question 5

Act 4 scene 1: epileptic fit:

Answer 5

Iago stands coldly over his trembling body and says ‘ work on my medicene’ metamorphisising himself as an evil doctor who controls his patients.Iago personifies cassios guilt by saying ‘it can be seen all over his face’

Question 6

Venice:

Answer 6

othello opens in enice- an italian republic which was known for it’s grandeur, wealth and cosmopolitanism. I was a seafiring city with strong military power. One of the main concerns at the beginning of the play was who will lead the venetian fleet into turkish forces?

Question 7

Racism:

Answer 7

Shakespeare sets up racist sterotypes then destory it, allowing th eaudience to question iago’s honest from the outstart. In the wider sene, shakespeare also arguably prompts his renaiscance audience to quesiton their own preconceptions. Howevor, later in the play, othello internalizes the racist beliefs around him. Did he commit this crime because he finally believed what others had to say about him?

Question 8

The battle within:

Answer 8

Shakespeare depicts the impact of the breakdown of his language and his body, and shows the extent an individual can be pushed by the lanaguage of others. The staging gradually unravels in Othello’s mind prompts the audience to consider the extent to which irrational thoughts are able to dominate over our rational thoughts.

Question 9

The transgression of social boundaries:

Answer 9

Ultimately, Shakespeare present a world on the brink of change for the better- a world in which women and different races are gaining increasing agency and quality.