Othello: Genre

Question 1

Tragedy?

Answer 1

• Othello is an atypical tragedy in that it is based on domestic events between Othello and Desdemona rather than the fall of kings or ‘great men and nations’.
• Othello is influenced by Revenge Tragedy, although the evil revenger, Iago, does not die, as would be expected.
• Othello is influenced by the conventions of Greek tragedy: for example, the play is based on conflict and the protagonist’s errors of judgement.
• The ending of the play evokes the emotions that Aristotle said tragedy should evoke: pity and fear.

Question 2

Structure?

Answer 2

• The structure of the play includes important examples of repetition: for example, Iago repeatedly poisons Othello’s mind in long exchanges.
• The structure of the play relies on mirroring for its dramatic impact: for example, Bianca’s sexual jealousy mirrors Othello’s.
• Venice frames the action in Cyprus; the play opens and closes with the Venetian state exercising its power and defining Othello’s character.
• The play is structured so that Iago seems to be stage managing events; his soliloquies give us insight into how he directs what happens.

Question 3

Iago’s speech style?

Answer 3

• Iago speaks over one third of the lines in the play, showing how dominant he is as the villain.
• Iago adapts his style to suit his purposes: for example, insults to cast suspicion on Bianca, a parody of the language of love to hoodwink Othello.
• Iago’s soliloquies are characterised by images of evil, poison and infection.
• Iago’s vulgar and racist use of language to describe Othello in Act I Scene 1 reflects his true character.

Question 4

Othello’s speech style?

Answer 4

• ‘Valiant’ Othello’s poetic speech style is characterised by his use of measured blank verse.
• Othello uses military imagery when he talks about losing his love, for example ‘Othello’s occupation’s gone’ (III.3.360).
• Othello uses disjointed prose and a third person viewpoint when his mind is poisoned by Iago.
• Othello’s speech is full of violent and bloody imagery when he seeks revenge on Desdemona and Cassio.

Question 5

Imagery?

Answer 5

• The battle between good and evil is dramatised by using images of light and dark.
• The images of jealousy make it clear that it is an irrational and monstrous force.
• The imagery used to describe Desdemona often objectifies her as a precious, beautiful possession.
• The images of animals used throughout the play chart the progress of Iago’s evil and Othello’s downfall.