Othello Flashcards
What 6 archetypes does Shakespeare present Othello at the beginning of the play?
Mediator
Doting husband
Leader
Lover
Gullible disciple
Rational thinker
How does Shakespeare present Othello as a mediator in Act 1? (4 points)
Portrayed as prudent and level-headed - seeks to resolve conflict rather than cause it
He tells Brabantio’s men to “keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them” (1.2) - doesn’t view violence as a solution
He uses the strength of his voice to assert himself and prove himself worthy in Act 1.3 - isn’t provoked by Brabantio
He’s immune to the toxic masculinity that defines many literary heroes and those in his military culture
How does Shakespeare present Othello as a leader in Acts 1-3? (5 points)
He is portrayed as an ambassador to the Moors and a well-respected general in the Venetian army - takes his job very seriously
Puts his obligations to others before his own needs - called away from his marital bed in Act 2 Scene 3 to end a brawl
“Cassio, I love thee / But never more be an officer of mine” (2.3) - indicates he’d sacrifice his loyalties to be a good leader
Acts on the will of others, not his own - foreshadows Iago’s later puppetry
His affinity for peacemaking and inspiring makes him a Messiah type - would’ve been controversial in Jacobean times considering Church whitewashing and him being black
How does Shakespeare present Othello as a doting husband in Act 1? (4 points)
Othello asks to “send for the lady/And let her speak of me to her father” in Act 1.3 - presents the faith he has in her and his appreciation of her opinion
Inviting Desdemona to fight her case breaks convention - typically, women carried no authority, particularly in public, and had to defer to their partners
“She loved me for the dangers I had passed…” in Act 1.3 - illustrates the strength he draws from her support
Shows how marriage should be a meeting of perspectives rather than one’s power over another
How does Shakespeare present Othello as a lover in Acts 1-3? (3 points)
Shakespeare conveys how love brightens Othello’s spirit through joyful, fearless imagery
He is an optimist - he feels that he and Desdemona can face anything together, even “death” itself
References to nature and music draw strong parallels with traditional love poetry and convey how he’s bolstered by the strength love brings him
What quotes link to Othello’s presentation as a lover in Acts 1-3? (2 points)
In Act 2.1
+ “My soul’s joy, / If after every tempest come such calms, / May the winds blow till they have wakened death,”
+ “The greatest discords be / That e’er our hearts shall make,”
How does Shakespeare present Othello as a gullible disciple in Acts 1-3? (3 points)
“Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw / The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt,” (3.3) - indicates his unwavering faith in Desdemona’s loyalty
“If she be false, O then heaven mocks itself,” (3.3) resembles someone swearing to God - Desdemona’s honesty forms the foundation of Othello’s worldview
However, Othello is naive in his blind trust in Iago, calling him:
+ “good lago” (2.1)
+ “most honest” (2.3)
+ “full of love and honesty” (3.3)
How does Shakespeare present Othello as a rational thinker in Act 3 Scene 3? (5 points)
“Think’st thou I’d make a life of jealousy, / To follow still the changes of the moon / With fresh suspicions?” - aware of his weaknesses and jealousy’s temptations
“I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove,” - dismisses jealousy as a fool’s errand, swearing allegiance to logic instead
Implied that Othello’s willingness to communicate with Desdemona will save their marriage - no ill feelings will fester
‘Famous last words’: “
And on the proof there is no more but this: / Away at once with love or jealousy!”
Shakespeare hints at Othello’s hubris - he is overconfident, believing himself immune to feelings that would compromise rational thought
What 4 archetypes does Shakespeare present Othello at the end of the play?
Tortured soul
Warrior
Judge, jury and executioner
Cuckold
How does Shakespeare present Othello as a tortured soul in Act 3? (4 points)
He proclaims, “Thou hast set me on the rack,” (3.3), connoting medieval torture, conveying lago’s growing power over him
Him lamenting “Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content!” implies that his greatest nemesis is his mind
Paranoia is his undoing as he can’t trust his feelings towards Desdemona anymore
+ Demands lago “give [him] the ocular proof,” (3.3)
+ Tells Desdemona, “Our new heraldry is hands, not hearts,” (3.4)
His obsession with tangible evidence is a precursor to the handkerchief ordeal - his insecurities take over, and he reduces Desdemona to a series of arbitrary objects and gestures
How does Shakespeare present Othello as a warrior in Act 3 Scene 3? (3 points)
Othello’s military attributes are presented as leadership and strategic thinking initially - now we witness the bloodthirsty side of his army background
Othello loses his military authority and becomes Iago’s warmongering foot soldier - reacts to conflict with violence and fury
Othello’s manhood is tied to his “occupation” so he now feels disconnected from his role - could be attempting to regain his military prowess
What quotes link to Othello’s presentation as a warrior in Act 3 Scene 3? (3 points)
His change to being a foot soldier is marked by his declaration, “Farewell […] the big wars…Farewell […] pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!” - details glorification of violence
“Arise, black vengeance…” - closely resembles a war cry or call to arms
Soldier’s vow: “My bloody thoughts with violent pace / Shall ne’er look back, ne’er ebb to humble love,” - portrays love as an obstacle he must overcome to attain victory
How does Shakespeare present Othello as a cuckold in Acts 3 and 4? (4 points)
He feels he is a cuckold following Desdemona’s betrayal, stripping him of his manhood, qualities, and triumphs
Shakespeare argues he seeks revenge and recompensation for what he’s been denied in the form of murder and suffering
His speech is full of “death and damnation” (3.3), an insight into his mental state and a far cry from the peacemaker of Act 1
He proclaims, “I’ll tear her all to pieces!” (3.3) and “I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!” (4.1), revealing his infuriation that she would ‘dare’ humiliate him
How does Shakespeare present Othello as judge, jury and executioner in Act 4 Scene 1? (5 points)
Othello’s paranoia makes him insidiously self-reliant - his worldview narrows and he becomes immune to reason
His death warrant for Cassio and Desdemona - “To confess and be hanged for his labour. First to be hanged and then to confess,” (4.1) - is a paradoxical statement, reflecting his broken state of mind
Wishing Cassio be “hanged” first before he confesses suggests he craves the death of his ‘enemies’ rather than the truth - no more awareness of justice and fair trial
When lago suggests Othello kill Desdemona in “her bed”, Othello replies, “The justice of it pleases,” (4.1) - his sense of justice is now centred around his desires
His now-inflated ego makes him believe he’s capable of making life and death decisions - the sort only God should make
How does Shakespeare present Othello as a cuckold in Act 5? (3 points)
The truth is no longer important to Othello as he craves validation and for his masculinity to be reinstated
Desdemona, a symbol of his insecurity, must die for this to be achieved, regardless of her guilt
As he prepares to murder her, he says, “Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men,” (5.1): in his mind, Othello is fighting for all men
