Othello Flashcards
Author
William Shakespeare
Othello quote about love and jealousy
“of one that loved not wisely, perplexed in the extreme”
“of one that loved not wisely, perplexed in the extreme” analysis
Syntax exhibited in a disjointed structure which mirrors the chaos in Othello’s mind.
Adjective ‘perplexed’ carried connotations of confusion which emphasises Othello’s state of mind
What does sigmund freud’s theory state
Sigmund Freud’s theory of personality argues that human behaviour is the result of the interactions three components of the mind; the id, the ego and the superego.
What does a psychoanalytical approach demonstrate
It is through a psychoanalytical approach through it highlight the deep personality faults that result in the tragic fall of Othello
What do the components represent?
The id represents an individual’s wants and desires, the superego follows the rules and morals and the ego balances and compromises with the id and superego.
What is othellos fatal flaw?
As a result of his inner conflict Othello becomes entrapped in a moral dilemma in which he allows his own jealousy to fuel his downfall.
othello and pity
Othello’s lack of understanding in regards to his emotions overtake the sense of pity one may feel for him.
Tragic hero
Aristotle
A tragic hero is a literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to their own destruction. Othello is a tragic hero as is fatal law leads to his demise.
lack of understanding towards his emotions
quote
“My life upon her faith”
“My life upon her faith” analysis
-dramatic irony makes clear his bad judge of character as he allows his Id to drive his phycology causing his naivety towards his deception.
Othello to be easily manipulated quote
“Think so, Iago?”
“Think so, Iago?” analysis
- Shows him to be gullible and easily manipulated
- Questioning reveals the thought process of Othello as he allows himself to be manipulated
Physcoanalytical critic
Rex Gibson claims that Shakespeare’s Othello is a text which was vital in educating audiences both Jacobean and modern about cultural tendencies and life experiences such as jealousy, contempt, anger, fear etc.
Physcoanalytical critic Quote:
“Shakespeare’s teachings are universal to all, irrespective of boundaries such as class, ethnicity and era.”
Physcoanalytical analysis of iago
Powerless to enable his own promotion, mistrusting his ability to command the affections of his wife, Iago spends the entire drama seeking to compensate for this vulnerability by exerting influence. In psychoanalytical terms, he can be seen as a victim of the turbulent emotions within him.
Machiavelli
Machiavelli was an Italian politician and writer who lived a century before Shakespeare. His fascination with the creation of sinister and immoral characters became known as ‘Machiavellian villains,’ and greatly influenced Shakespeare’s creation of Protagonist Iago.
Iago manipulation quote
“And what’s he then that says I play the villain”
“And what’s he then that says I play the villain” analysis
-Iago justifies his behaviour, desiring the audience’s collusion and understanding – seeking, in fact, to manipulate us
What causes desdemonas death?
Desdemona’s naivety, deceptions with good intensions and her passivity all play parts in her downfall, with the help of Iago’s evil schemes. Her death is a combined result of her fatal flaw of naivety and Iago’s quest for influence.
physcoanalytical analysis of Desdemonas naivety
Her Naivety is a result of her superego overtaking her id. As her superego overtakes her id she is no longer able to make sense of her own wants and desires and is instead focused on her duty as a woman. Her naivety therefore allows her to be manipulated by Iago’s plot.
desdemona naive quote
“His unkindness may defeat my life But never taint my love”
“His unkindness may defeat my life But never taint my love” analysis
She is blinded by her love for Othello
- Duality of love and death emphasise the deep connection and love she has for Othello
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critic desdemonas naivety
A.C Bradley claims that the intrigue of “Othello’s” tragedy is that of trying to make sense of Desdemona’s naivety as the audience must witness her suffering.
critic desdemonas naivety quote
“She is helplessly passive”
Feminist analysis of Emilia
Emilia is loyal to Desdemona, but she is loyal to Iago. She is caught between her conscience and her responsibilities as both a wife and Desdemona’s attendant. This divided duty reveals the complexity of being a woman in Elizabethan England.
What does EMilia teach about women at the time?
Emilia has a self-awareness on how women are often abused at the hands of men
Emilia represents to struggle between what is her duty and what is morally correct