Critiques for Othello Flashcards
What does Coleridge say about Iago?
Coleridge describes Iago’s ‘motiveless malignity’ – “but for my sport and profit. I hate the moor” – He is violent for the sake of being violent.
Give an example essay reponse to Coleridge critique and Iago?
Whilst Coleridge describes Iago’s ‘motiveless malignity’, Iago showcases to the audience with a partial motive in the metaphor; “he’s done my office’. His accusations against Othello of eloping with his wife is symbolic as it foreshadows yet another motive to his pursuit to undermine Othello.
What is Honigmanns critique of Iago?
E.A.J Honigmann – “Iago excels in short-term tactics, not in long-term strategy” – short-term point until audience exposed to rest of play.
What dod W.H.Auden call Iago?
W.H. Auden called him ‘the joker of the pack’ – surely this contrasts with his methods of devising a plan. Joker and Machiavellian link.
What else does Honigman say about Iago?
E.A.J Honigmann – “audiences have responded to him in different ways” - codeswitching
What does Charles Lamb say about Iago?
“the intellectual activity which prompts them to overleap these moral fences” – Iago is in control, contrary to his ranking
What does James.L.Calderwood write about Othello?
Othello “naively assumes that even the most ethereal of words are bonded to their meanings and that their meanings are bonded to the things that represent” - Othello is naïve regarding Venetian culture.
