Critical Perspective Flashcards
Why does Bonnie Greer outline Iago shouldn’t be the main character in Othello?
Whilst Iago is powerful, he never changes. We never get to witness his character developing and changing so it wouldn’t make sense for him to be the main focus of the play.
What does Bonnie Greer say the play forces us to face?
Through the dramatic action of the play we are forced to face what happens when we are overcome by jealousy
Where does Greer believe the heart of the play lies?
The heart of the play lies within the framework of its main charcater. After jealousy has destroyed everything Othello loves, he destroys himself, asking that the state remember his service.
What Bonnie Greer quote describes the enemy in Othello?
“The Moor, seen as the enemy within, discovers that he himself is his own enemy”
Why does McCulloch say the blame can’t all be heaped on Iago in ‘men shoukd be what they seem’?
Othello, like everyone, has negative qualities about him already, Iago simply manipulates him to draw those qualities out.
How does McCulloch analyse Othello as a tragic hero?
His hamartia (fatal flaw) is his jealousy, at the begining we see his elevated status in the ventian court. We have pathos (sympathy for the tragic hero) with Othello.
What does McCulloch believe happens if we look at Othello as being full of “bombast circumstance”? What does this say about Othello’s death?
We start to see that his reaction to Iago’s manipulation as evidence he is more concerned with his job and his outward appearance, however this denies him of the potential greatness that Othello possesses. This alone makes his death tragic.
What does McCulloch believe is the reason why Othello strives to maintain a perfect outwardly image?
He knows hebis up againstnalot of negativity and this is the only way he believes he can combat it.
Why does McCulloch believe Othello is never able to fully love Desdemona?
He fears that her lovenfor him is conditional which unsettles his deep insecurities
What does McCulloch say is Othello’s way of affirming his own ‘self hood’?
Sustaining himself against an envious, hostile world by maintaining equanimity (calmness and composure) and a perfect exterior.
What does Lipsecomb believe critics have overlooked in her peice ‘yet thats not much:age differences in Othello’?
Critics have largely overlooked the age differences between Othello and Desdemona.
What does Lipscomb believe the ‘mature’ Othello brings?
He brings to the mind and the olay several Roman theatrical conventions e.g., the comedic aged cuckold. This is challenged at the start of the play but then Othello falls into the sterotype later on as he is enshrined in Iago’s mesh.
What does Lipscomb say about early modern views of age?
They work with racial stereotypes to both enable the character of Othello and destroy him through the course of the play.
