Comprehensive notes on William Shakespeare's Othello, offering detailed insights into the play’s themes, symbols, and characters. I designed this to assist students in crafting high-quality literary essays for IEB. This resource is ideal for learners preparing for exams or seeking to strengthen t...
OTHELLO
William Shakespeare
2024 Notes: Tasmia Jardine
Appearance vs Reality
Othello explores the tension between how things seem and how they truly are. This
is central in the play and is exemplified through the contrast between characters'
outward behaviours and their inner intentions.
Passion vs Reason
Othello shows the struggle between intense emotions and logical thinking, where
overwhelming passion often leads to destructive actions.
Jealousy
Othello explores the consuming fear or suspicion of losing something valued, often
leading to irrational behaviour and tragedy. (links with passion vs reason)
Love
Presented by Shakespeare as a powerful force that can inspire devotion and
sacrifice but is also vulnerable to manipulation and doubt, through
jealousy/violence/betrayal.
Reputation & Honor
Othello explores the key element of the importance placed on public images and
personal integrity, with the fear of losing respect driving many decisions. This is
shown through the characters: Othello, Cassio and Iago
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, Betrayal & Trust
In Othello, there is tension created between loyalty and deceit, highlighting how
broken trust can have devastating consequences. (links with appearance vs reality)
This is seen through: Othello, Iago, Cassio, Desdemona and Emilia
Fate vs. Free Will
Othello includes an exploration of the debate over whether the characters’ lives are
guided by destiny or shaped by personal choices and actions.
Friendship vs. Loyalty
Shakespeare uses the conflict between maintaining personal bonds and staying
true to one's values or obligations to show the progression of characters’ actions.
Racial Prejudice
The belief in the inherent inferiority of non-White racial groups, particularly Black
individuals, accompanied by support for segregation and discrimination.
Shakespeare uses othering and race to critique societal prejudice, showing how
deeply they affect the characters’ relationships and Othello’s tragic decisions.
Symbols & Motifs
Shakespeare uses symbols and motifs to deepen the audience’s understanding of the play’s
emotional and psychological undercurrents (a hidden opinion, feeling, or tendency often
contrary to the one publicly shown.), illustrating how small details can have devastating
outcomes.
It enhances the play’s exploration of its central themes, particularly love, jealousy and
betrayal. Using these devices to create layers of meaning that reveal the characters’ inner
struggles & inevitability of their tragic fates.
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