This document is a whole play analysis of Othello created with the AQA English Language and Literature course in mind. This means it includes:
-Linguistic terminology
-Themes and motifs of the play (similar to the focus of the questions asked in the exam)
-key quotes/events (colour-coded)
-a...
Othello Desdemona Iago Emilia Roderigo Cassio Duke Lodovico Bianca Brabantio Montano
Other
Act 1
Scene 1
● Blasphemy
○ “S’blood”- used to villanise Iago- his first word being blasphemous
foregrounds his treachery and deceit
○ “Zounds!”
● Racism
○ “Moor”- epithet that is used by Iago to show his disrespect towards Othello
and for him to feel better about his denigrated place in society. This is the
first time Othello is referenced (before we ever hear his name)
○ “Moorship”- a play on words of ‘Lordship’- mocking him- the honorific shows
juxtaposition as Moor is negative but Lordship isn’t highlighting the
two-faced nature of Iago
○ “Thick-lips”- racist slur, this is a stereotypical and visual attack on Othello.
Why has he decided having larger lips is a negative thing?
○ “Black ram”- decrepit imagery. Rams and horned beasts are thought of as
evil in the Bible whereas ewes are not. He is commenting on both Othello’s
age and race and linking them both to evil/ giving them negative
connotations
○ “Barbary horse” zoomorphism/beastification- Iago uses persuasion carefully
through understanding a person's weakness (shown when he uses the fact
that Brabanito might have black grandchildren as a bad thing because he
know Brabantio cares a lot about his legacy)- this foregrounds Iago’s
manipulation of Othello and how he uses his weaknesses against him
● Xenophobia
○ “Florentine” adds it as if it matters- denigrates Cassio simply by stating his
place of origin
● Jealousy
○ “Mere prattle without practice”- the plosive p in the alliteration sounds like
spitting, mimics Iago’s jealousy and anger
○ “Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago;”- his whole personality is based on
him wanting to be in power so if he is he’d lose his personality. He’s
narcissistic- although he loves himself he’s aware hes below others- uses “I”
a lot which denigrates others around him
● Context
○ “Gross clasps of a lascivious Moor”- lustful imagery, seven deadly sins
Scene 2
● Deceitful
○ “I lack iniquity”- evil mindfulness, Shakepeare starts a new line which shows
he is being deceitful
,Othello Desdemona Iago Emilia Roderigo Cassio Duke Lodovico Bianca Brabantio Montano
Other
● Hierarchy
○ “Double as the duke’s”- Iago is constantly thinking about power.
Foreshadows Iago getting above Othello
○ “You, friends”- Othello gives everyone the same amount of respect which
shows his benevolent and kind personality (humble) He is the one with the
most social influence in this part and he tries to influence the others in a
positive way
○ “Ancient”- another word for ensign. Cassio is talking down to Iago by
addressing him with his place rather than his name- gloating?
○ “Thou foul thief!”- Brabantio uses the informal- trying to intimidate Othello.
Throughout his speech he trips on his thoughts- contrasts Othello’s eloquent
way of speaking
■ Othello replies “were it my cue to fight, I should have known it”-
eloquent and brief speech- doesn’t feel the need to hold the floor for
long to get his point across. This quote also reminds them that he is a
general and therefore knows how to fight but in a subtle way- this
could be due to the constraints he has due to his race however it also
reinforces the power dynamic
● Context
○ “Janus”- he is like Janus (two-faced)
○ “My parts, my title, and my perfect soul”- proud of his career. Adheres to the
Book of Proverbs section of the Bible (“pride comes before a fall”)- could also
apply to Iago and the pride he has in his plan
Scene 3
● Starts in media res
● Hierarchy
○ “Valiant Othello”- Shakespeare portrays the Duke as likeable as he is the
first person to call Othello by his name while also using the epithet
“Valiant”- contrast with “Moor” and shows the Duke respecting Othello in
terms of his place in the army (however, not because of his race)- as the
Duke relies on Othello to go to Turkey it shows how the power dynamic
shifts- the Duke needs something from Othello so he must openly show his
respect
○ “...good masters”- greets them kindly, understands his place, presented as
being humble (contrasting Iago)
○ “Othello’s ear”- the first time Iago has said his name. He only uses a direct
address when no one is around (shows his pride)- he doesn’t need to use
‘Moor’ as no one is around to hear it. This shows the deliberate way Iago
uses it to diminish Othello’s power in conversation.
● Race
, Othello Desdemona Iago Emilia Roderigo Cassio Duke Lodovico Bianca Brabantio Montano
Other
○ “She is abused”- Othello is spoken about as if he's not there- he doesn’t say
anything because he understands his place in society- he’s educated an
humble
○ Witchcraft semantics shows the links to religion (black and white/evil and
good)- Popular in Shakespeare’s time
○ “Rude am I”- self deprecating, self aware of hierarchy
■ Uses Brabantio’s semantics of witches (“what drugs, what charms”)-
putting himself with Brabantio because he recognises he will get his
own way better by being nice (contrasts Iago)- doesn’t want to start
conflict
○ “Far more fair than black”- similar to ‘fair is foul’, Othello is “uncharacteristic”
of a black man. Shakespeare didn’t want the Duke to go without bringing up
race. This phrase foregrounds Othello’s restrictions that people will always
be seen initially as evil but when you get to know him they see him as he is.
○ “She loved me for the dangers I had passed”- Desdemona saw past his race,
loved him for his stories (easily manipulated?)
■ “I think this tale would win my daughter too”- hints of sexism-
women are easily led on by tales (infantilisation)
○ “Come hither, Moor”- derogatory, uses epithet and imperative, a lack of
respect
○ “I hate the Moor”- repeated- clear declarative phrase showing his motivation
for his revenge
● Agency
○ “Send for the lady”- Definite article- Othello wants Desdemona’s opinion
which shows he sees her as her own person
■ “Let her speak of me”- she has her own voice- they're both
oppressed. Shows shakespeare is aware of the hierarchies in his
society
○ “And let me find a charter in your voice”- she needs to find permission in his
voice- he gives her agency
● Structure
○ Duke and Brabantio, and Brabantio and Desdemona share a line (iambic
tetrameter)- discourse between people are together. Desdemona is
answering his question (What Brabantio thinks her answer will be but
actually it isn’t- “To you I am bound for life…”
■ Uses her mother as an example in her speech to appeal to her father
as she understands her place in the hierarchy and, like her husband,
uses language to not openly subvert their counterparts beliefs so as
not to create conflict. By doing this Othello and Desdemona actually
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