Summary
Summary Critical Interpretations and Context for Othello
A summary of critical interpretations and context for Othello.
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Critical interpretations + contexthuge
interpretations :
These
critical
are not a part of
and should
your
exam
¥
lots of time in
take up your views (1600s)
pg Early
BUT to
essays in order
get top outraged concept of black
protagonist Racism
Many
a
.
,
.
were at the .
marks that it was seen not as a
tragedy ,
but as a
warning not to
they are
handy to mention
,
meant
marry black men .
as
long as
they're making a
point ! !
Don't ☐ 1800s -
1950s
just use them for the
is villain the racist
sake of it
•
Iago is a villain because he a -
no
depth .
Elements of
View remained , however others viewed Othello as a noble ,
blameless
tragic
fuelled by homosexual
jealousy
,
actions were
.
's
hero . Some suggested Iago
☐ Marxist Readings the death of love showed the
wedding
held
huge symbolic value : ,
Desdemona's death her sheets
•
upon
the marriage collapsing
.
stability of
☐ New Historicist
Desdemona is
Readings
'
'
in act one The
play as a whole reflects Jacobean
• an Embodiment of power
.
ignorance / anxiety about other races .
☐ Feminist Readings her own husband Desdemona
the
play Despite choosing
,
controls
system
.
A
wholly masculine
•
adhere to rules of female obedience .
still has to
Contextual information
context
Dliterary
•
Othello shares similarities with other Shakespearean tragedies they ,
the tragic consequences of love .
Often explore
He abuses others to achieve his own ends
Iago Machiavellian villain
.
• is a .
D Venice and Cyprus
Setting
:
• Jacobean audiences wouldVe seen venice as a place of
associated with decadence + vice
italy
intrigue and sexuality English
.
.
Plans to Also the heat intensifies
allowing Iago
's prosper
Venice
Cyprus is away from the civilisation of
.
• ,
,
tension .
D The Renaissance
tradition , Much the audience
A revival Of artistic endeavour
Challenged like Othello It made question
.
• .
their beliefs about
society
.
subverts societies
racist views : Black protagonist white antagonist .
Shakespeare
,
•
☐ Religion context
themes
good and evil provide a
religious
.
sentiment but the of
•
Othello is free from Religious ,
☐ Female subordination '
by
'
subordinate traditional roles ruled Men This is
•
Jacobean era: women remained in ,
,
.
with Othello and Brabantian
reflected in Desdemona's relationships .
On hand Emilia these
stereotypes with her defiance
• the Other ,
challenges fiery .
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