Themes

Question 1

Jealousy

Answer 1

Iago a personal and professional jealous infects and destroys Othellos mind and marriage, leading to the tragic DENOUEMENT

Question 2

Corruption

Answer 2

The play exposes the misuses of verbal and physical power. Iago is the source of verbal corruption, leading to the corruption of Othellos noble mind

Question 3

Race and colour

Answer 3

There is a clash of cultures and ideas in the play; Othello and Desdemona are a ‘well tuned’ couple from different ethnic backgrounds, who are destroyed by a racist subordinates jealousy

Question 4

Love

Answer 4

Desdemona is the embodiment of self sacrificing and generous love, while Othello is the overwhelmed lover who becomes the violent revenger

Question 5

Power

Answer 5

The play explores the power of words to influence actions and the subjugation of the powerlessness by the powerful (women and men, subordinates and their masters)