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Identity in Othello
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A full, in-depth A* essay plan exploring the theme of Identity in Shakespeare's "Othello", for the Pearson Edexcel A-Level English Literature.
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By: mischacarr1 • 4 months ago
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identityIntroduction
o Conflict between identity and reputation drives the plot of the play: tragic
consummation = Desdemona is accused of adultery despite dying a virgin and her
blood never being spilled.
o Feminist critical perspective = male inability to understand female complexity that
leads to tragic ending (Robertson either “pure and innocent” or “vulgar” and
“common”)
o Similar through Bianca and Iago – identity shown through name
Desdemona’s identity as witty, independent, headstrong –
1) Independent
o “I do perceive here a divided duty” – submission to patriarchy? but must take
circumstances into account (white, high status, reputable – submits to Moor, not
Brabantio, defiant to father and society)
2) Witty
o Worrall – “pluck not pulchritude” as they are played by men. Act 2 Scene 1 witty
wordplay with Iago shows intellect and sophistication but also subtle hint that it is
only men who should have charisma and wit
3) Headstrong
o Act 4 Scene 1 – Othello’s speech partakes in erratic and catastrophic retreat into
prose, Desdemona remains in blank verse despite her emotional state: “O banish me,
my lord, but kill me not” – calm and collected in face of death
Meanings of names revealing identity:
o “Desdemona” -> “disdemona”, “the unfortunate” in Greek – must have been
carefully chosen by Shakespeare and reflective of her character: demise is due to
Othello, not her own flaws (victim of his savagery)
o Iago: Hands: name is Spanish (England’s main enemy in the Tudor times,
emphasising his antagonistic nature)
o Bianca: means “white”, pure connotations despite being a prostitute/”courtezan” –
contradictory as she remains loyal to Cassio (Shakespeare points towards complexity
of women Robertson “either sub or superhuman” and mocks men for viewing women
as either “pure and innocent” or “vulgar” and “common” - must be “especially
careful about adopting any single perspective of a character
o In Giraldi, Emilia was fearsome and weak yet in Othello, she is defiant, holds
controversial views and is feisty, possibly to appeal to the temperament of Elizabeth I
(physically frail but strong in spirit)- female defiance
Desdemona’s reputation as deceitful
o Venetian women typically promiscuous (“she has deceived her father, and may
thee”)
o Female deception - strawberries horticulturally related to rose, associated with the
serpent - represents devil, temptation, original sin where Eve is blamed by Adam for
the fall of mankind (represents all women’s in-built tendency to commit sin, arguably
suggesting Othello was destined to accuse Desdemona of adultery due to
handkerchief’s promiscuous message)
o S explores Venetian women’s stereotype of disloyalty/promiscuity: since symbols of
pure Virgin Mary are sown onto white handkerchief using “maidens’ hearts”,
handkerchief becomes symbol of purity/fidelity – which is exactly what it becomes to
Othello. When D loses handkerchief, O interprets this as disloyalty/deceit, accusing
her of adultery (handkerchief’s red and white could signify consummation, but that of
Desdemona and Cassio instead of with O, OR strawberries are implicit sexual allusion
to female genitalia - when D loses handkerchief and it ends up with C, O interprets
this as D giving away purity to someone else, showing disloyalty and adultery
Desdemona’s true identity as pure
1) Last words
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