Critics of Othello

Question 1

Positive Othello Critics

Answer 1

Bradley- sees Othello as “the most romantic figure among Shakespeare’s heroes”, also argues his poetic qualities and newness of his marriage makes his jealousy plausible. He believes the tragedy of the play is Othello is “exceptionally noble and trustful” but is manipulated.

Question 1

Negative Othello critics

Answer 1

Fintain O’toole- “he is driven demented by a handkerchief. He is not tragic, merely pathetic”

Leavis- “the tragic protagonist is responsible for his downfall”, “too stupid to be regarded as a tragic hero”,”fatally self-centred” and lacking in “self-knowledge”

Question 2

Critics for Iago

Answer 2

Samual Coloridge-Iago’s “motiveless malignity” “next to the devil” and he has no reason to be evil but is evil anyway

Cowihu- “eaten up with sexual jealousy”

Greer- “…mindless inventiveness of racist aggression.

Question 3

Positive critics for Desdemona

Answer 3

Conley Greer-” She chooses to marry an outsider and in doing so breaks the traditional cast for women”

Lisa Jardine- Desdemona is punished for being “too knowing” and “too independent”, Desdemona’s death is is her being taught a lesson in what happens if you go against the patriarchy

Question 4

Negative Critics for Desdemona

Answer 4

Bradley- desdemona is “helplessly passive”

Question 5

Criticisms for Emilia

Answer 5

Simpson- we need to understand that “wives were required to be obedient” to understand why Emilia gives the handkerchief to Iago

Question 6

Criticisms for Roderigo

Answer 6

Ankit: “Later on, we see that [Iago] creates [Desdemona] as nothing more than a sexual object, to be traded for Roderigo’s money and exploited for revenge.”

Question 7

Criticisms for Bianca

Answer 7

Simpson: “Bianca [like Cassio and Othello] is an”, “she underscores the theme of jealousy”