Structure Flashcards
There are two principle locations, Venice and Cyprus, but our attention becomes fixed on a single bedroom in the dénouement, what feeling does this create?
a feeling of claustrophobia that is unique in Shakespeare’s tragedies.
When did dramatists begin to use Itay as a suitable location for revenge tragedies?
end of the 16th century
What did Venice symbolise?
a place of sophistication and power, order, wealth
As well as being a setting associated with sophistication and culture, what had Venice a reputation for?
place of liberty
Why is it appropriate that the Machiavellian should originate and appear in an Italian setting before being transported to Cyprus?
As this places Iago within the setting of
What is significant about the location change to Cyprus?
Shakespeare’s use of war with the Turks and the uneasy atmosphere of the garrison town in Cyprus became a halfway house between civilisation and the heathen world.
In the unfamiliar setting of Cyprus, the threat of lurking anger and passions unleashed destroy the established order of Venice. What helps to establish and reflect the fear and violence that the characters will experience in Cyprus, while also being a symbol of the love of Othello and Desdemona?
the storm opening Act 2.
Not only does the room in the dénouement ignite claustrophobia, but what else?
this heightens from the fact that there is no real subplot in Othello as the action focuses on Iago’s role and Othello’s reactions to his ‘reports’.
Why is our claustrophobia heightened because of the function of the characters?
this is because the characters exist in a tightly-knit social network where each have a clear defined position and a view of every member of the group
How does Iago threaten the order and harmony of the network between the tightly-knit close group?
because he is able to manipulate the most powerful group member.
How does the single plot intensify dramatic tension?
this is because we are never given a moment’s respite to look away from Iago’s progress as he augments Othello’s tragedy.
What Act and scene is an effective example of how Shakespeare uses the scene for maximum impact?
Act 3 scene 3
How does Othello’s first moment of isolation reflect his agony?
as he asks wretchedly, “Why did I marry?” Act 3 scene 3
From line 331 ti the end of the scene, Othello’s speeches become what? Act 3 scene 3
explosive and bloodthirsty
By the end of Act 3 scene 3, what does Othello’s “fair warrior” become?
“the fair devil”
What does the structure of the play rely on?
reversal and repetition
How does Iago progress from Act 1, Act 2, Act 3?
In Act one he is an underdog, used only as an escort for Desdemona to Cyprus.
In Act two, he formulates his revenge
In Act three he is abel to triumph over Othello.
In Act 3 Othello struggles to resist the jealous which threatens to overpower his reason, succumbing to it when?
in Act 4
What does Othello become in Act 5?
He becomes what Iago is; a destructive avenger of his self-pride
At the end of the play, how is the tragic protagonist partly redeemed?
when he recognises his folly and chooses to destroy himself
The theory of a double time scheme in Othello dates from when?
the middle of the nineteenth century
How is there no doubt that there are inconsistencies in the way time is presented in Othello?
AS the disintegration of Othello’s mind and marriage occurs extremely fast and Iago recognises that he must move quickly if his plots are to remain concealed. It is as well highly unlikely that Ludovico would be sent from Venice to install Cassio as governor within a week of Othello’s arrival in Cyprus.
IN Act 3 scene 3, Iago describes Cassio’s lustful dream, which we are told occurred, ‘______’, when Iago shared Cassio’s bed.
lately
When Bianca complains to Cassio that he has stayed away from her a week, Othello says that he believes Desdemona has committed adultery with Cassio “_________________________”
A thousand times
