othello masolit intro Flashcards
When was Othello written, and how does it fit in with Shakespeare’s other works?
Othello was written around the turn of the 17th century, making it part of Shakespeare’s group of great tragedies. It was written during a time when Shakespeare’s plays explored themes of power, responsibility, and kingship, but Othello stands out as a tragedy set outside of England, specifically in the Venetian Republic.
What is the origin of the story of Othello?
The basic story of Othello comes from Gyraldi Cinthio’s Hecatommithi, written in the 1650s. Shakespeare adapted this story but significantly changed it, adding depth to characters and altering the plot, especially regarding Desdemona’s death and Iago’s role.
How does Shakespeare play with the form of tragedy in Othello?
Shakespeare experiments with the form of tragedy in Othello, creating tension by blurring the lines between tragedy and comedy in the first acts. The play initially seems lighthearted, leading the audience to believe it might be a comedy before turning into a tragic story.
How does the concept of harmony relate to the structure of Shakespeare’s comedies and tragedies?
In comedies, the harmony of the universe is disrupted but eventually restored by the play’s conclusion. In tragedies like Othello, harmony is completely overturned, leading to chaos and death. Othello’s line about chaos exemplifies this loss of harmony.
How does the concept of “false comedy” apply to Othello?
Othello can be seen as the “tragedy of false comedy” because, in the early acts, the audience might believe it is a comedy, with characters like Iago and the relationships involving Othello and Desdemona creating a lighter tone. The play shifts into tragedy, surprising the audience.
How does Shakespeare keep the audience engaged and unsure of the play’s outcome in Othello?
Shakespeare keeps the audience on their toes by subverting their expectations. By presenting elements of comedy in the beginning, the audience is wrong-footed, which makes the eventual turn toward tragedy even more striking.
How is Iago different from previous characters in Shakespeare’s tragedies?
Iago is a completely new type of character for the English stage, one who is enigmatic and manipulative, driving much of the play’s tragic events. His complexity and ambiguity make him a standout villain compared to more straightforward antagonists in earlier plays.
What is significant about the setting of Othello compared to Shakespeare’s other plays?
Othello is set in Venice, a European location, which gives it a different emotional context than Shakespeare’s plays set in England. The stability of the Venetian Republic contrasts with the more chaotic settings of his other tragedies, creating a unique backdrop for the unfolding drama.
How does Shakespeare use the theme of power in Othello?
Power and authority are central themes in Othello, with the play exploring the responsibilities and consequences of holding power. The character of Othello, as an outsider, reflects Shakespeare’s ongoing exploration of power dynamics and societal structures in his tragedies.
How did Shakespeare’s personal context influence his writing of tragedies like Othello?
Shakespeare wrote during a period when concerns about kingship and the morality of rulers were paramount. His works, including Othello, reflect the uncertainty of power and leadership, themes that resonated strongly during Queen Elizabeth’s reign and her eventual successor’s unknown future.
How does the theme of race play into the character of Othello?
Othello, originally not black in the source material, Gyraldi Cinthio’s Hecatommithi, is portrayed as a black man in Shakespeare’s play, which was groundbreaking for the time. His status as an outsider due to his race plays a significant role in the unfolding tragedy and highlights themes of jealousy, insecurity, and societal exclusion.
How is Othello’s race and identity depicted differently in Cinthio’s version compared to Shakespeare’s?
In Cinthio’s version, Othello is portrayed as an Italian, with “Italian” meaning dark-haired. The term “Moor” originally referred to someone with dark features, and Shakespeare pushes this concept further by making Othello a black man, changing how Othello is perceived in the play.
What other black characters were present in plays before Othello, and how were they depicted?
Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta featured Ithamore, and Titus Andronicus had Aaron the Moor. Both were portrayed as villains, which contrasts with the portrayal of Othello as a heroic figure.
Why is Othello seen as a hero rather than a villain, unlike previous black characters in plays?
Othello is depicted as the greatest hero of Venice, a protector of the state. Unlike other black characters, he represents security, success, and the military might of Venice, which parallels the role of British heroes like Sir Francis Drake in making Britain a secure nation.
What is the significance of Othello’s status as an outsider?
Othello is an outsider because of his race, status, and origins, and this adds complexity to his character. His heroism is considered transgressive because he doesn’t fit into the established societal norms of Venice.
How does Othello woo Desdemona, and what role does his self-promotion play in this?
Othello woos Desdemona by telling her grand, heroic tales of his past victories and adventures. His self-promotion through these stories impresses her and leads to her falling in love with him. This highlights his need to prove himself as a worthy match, despite his outsider status.
How does John McRae connect Othello and Desdemona’s relationship to the figures of Mars and Venus?
McRae draws a comparison between Othello and Desdemona’s relationship and the union of Mars (the warrior) and Venus (the perfect lover), suggesting that their relationship symbolizes harmony between opposing forces. It is an ideal, yet impossible, union because of their differences, making it both beautiful and tragic.
What does McRae suggest about Iago’s character and his role in the play?
Iago is portrayed as a wonderfully ambiguous character. While the other characters in the play call him “Honest Iago,” the audience knows from the beginning that he is not honest. This creates dramatic irony, where the audience is complicit in his manipulation, but the characters on stage are unaware.
How does McRae describe the emotional journey of the audience in Othello?
The audience is complicit with Iago for so long that by the time the tragedy reaches its climax, they are conflicted, wishing they could stop it, but unable to intervene. This emotional turmoil is key to the catharsis of the play.
How does Othello embody the archetype of the warrior in the play?
Othello is portrayed as the quintessential warrior hero, someone who has achieved great success and brought safety to Venice through his military prowess. His status as a hero and warrior is central to his identity, but his lack of wisdom complicates his ability to navigate the personal and emotional challenges he faces in his relationship with Desdemona.
Why is Othello’s self-awareness about loving “not wisely, but too well” significant in the context of Shakespeare’s tragedies?
This line reflects Othello’s recognition of his own tragic flaw. It highlights the theme of the “wise and foolish lovers” from Neoplatonic philosophy, where the perfect lover balances both the head (wisdom) and the heart (emotion). Othello lacks this balance, which contributes to his tragic end.
What does McRae argue is the greatest flaw in Shakespeare’s tragic heroes?
McRae argues that the greatest flaw in Shakespeare’s tragic heroes is simply being human. They are caught in a humanist world where things inevitably go wrong, and this inherent imperfection leads to their tragic downfall.
