WEEK 8BBL 3208

OTHELLO- TRAGIC HERO

OTHELLOOTHELLO

Historical contextHistorical context

GeographyGeography

OthelloOthello takes place in two countries: takes place in two countries:– VeniceVenice

– CyprusCyprus

The Republic of Venice existed from The Republic of Venice existed from 727-1797.727-1797.– It is located in present-day Italy.It is located in present-day Italy.

http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcitaly.htmhttp://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcitaly.htm

Geography (cont’d)Geography (cont’d)

Venice controlled the island of Cyprus Venice controlled the island of Cyprus from 1489-1570.from 1489-1570.– The island was a place for commerce The island was a place for commerce

and a good location for the Venetian and a good location for the Venetian fleet in the eastern part of the fleet in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea.Mediterranean Sea.

Cyprus was lost to the Turks in 1571.Cyprus was lost to the Turks in 1571.

http://geography.about.com/library/cia/nccyprus.htm

Cyprus is located east of Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea. It is just south of Turkey.

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Geography in the Play Geography in the Play OthelloOthello

Othello is asked to help defend Othello is asked to help defend Cyprus against the Ottoman Turks.Cyprus against the Ottoman Turks.

Desdemona accompanies Othello to Desdemona accompanies Othello to Cyprus.Cyprus.– It is unusual that a woman would go with It is unusual that a woman would go with

her husband on military business.her husband on military business.

Types of People in Types of People in OthelloOthello

VenetiansVenetians– Most are noblemen and women Most are noblemen and women

(Brabantio, Desdemona, Roderigo)(Brabantio, Desdemona, Roderigo)– Also, there are the nobles’ servants Also, there are the nobles’ servants

(Emilia)(Emilia)– Some are soldiers (Othello, Cassio, Some are soldiers (Othello, Cassio,

Iago)Iago)– Others are part of Venetian government Others are part of Venetian government

(the Duke)(the Duke)

Types of People (cont’d)Types of People (cont’d)

MoorsMoors–Black nomadic people of the Black nomadic people of the

northern shores of Africa, originally northern shores of Africa, originally the inhabitants of Mauretaniathe inhabitants of Mauretania

–Converted to Islam in the 8Converted to Islam in the 8thth centurycentury

Moors (cont’d)Moors (cont’d)

–Invaded Spain in 711 and Invaded Spain in 711 and dominated until the 11dominated until the 11thth century century

–had great dynasties up until 1492, had great dynasties up until 1492, when the last of their cities was when the last of their cities was conquered by Spainconquered by Spain

–virtually exterminated by Spain virtually exterminated by Spain during the Inquisition (late 1400s-during the Inquisition (late 1400s-1820)1820)

Moors (cont’d)Moors (cont’d)

Othello is a MoorOthello is a Moor– Discriminated against because of his race Discriminated against because of his race

(black) (black) – Othello has been accepted in some ways Othello has been accepted in some ways

because he is a Christian and a military because he is a Christian and a military geniusgenius

– Yet his marriage to Desdemona reflects the Yet his marriage to Desdemona reflects the prevailing view toward interracial marriage.prevailing view toward interracial marriage.

PlotPlot The play's first act is set in Venice. The play's first act is set in Venice.

Desdemona, the daughter of Desdemona, the daughter of Brabantio, a Venetian senator, has Brabantio, a Venetian senator, has secretly married Othello, a Moor in the secretly married Othello, a Moor in the service of the state. Accused before service of the state. Accused before the duke and senators of having stolen the duke and senators of having stolen Brabantio's daughter, Othello explains Brabantio's daughter, Othello explains and justifies his conduct, and is asked and justifies his conduct, and is asked by the Senate to lead the Venetian by the Senate to lead the Venetian forces against the Turks who are forces against the Turks who are about to attack Cyprus. about to attack Cyprus.

In the middle of a storm which disperses In the middle of a storm which disperses the Turkish fleet, Othello lands on Cyprus the Turkish fleet, Othello lands on Cyprus with Desdemona, Cassio, a young with Desdemona, Cassio, a young Florentine, who helped him court his wife Florentine, who helped him court his wife and whom he has now promoted to be his and whom he has now promoted to be his lieutenant, and Iago, an older soldier, lieutenant, and Iago, an older soldier, bitterly resentful of being passed over for bitterly resentful of being passed over for promotion, who now plans his revenge, promotion, who now plans his revenge, Iago uses Roderigo, “a guli'd Gentleman” Iago uses Roderigo, “a guli'd Gentleman” in love with Desdemona, to fight with in love with Desdemona, to fight with Cassio after he has got him drunk, so that Cassio after he has got him drunk, so that Othello deprives him of his new rank.Othello deprives him of his new rank.

He then persuades Cassio to ask Desdemona to He then persuades Cassio to ask Desdemona to plead in his favour with Othello, which she warmly plead in his favour with Othello, which she warmly does. At the same time he suggests to Othello that does. At the same time he suggests to Othello that Cassio is, and has been, Desdemona's lover, finally Cassio is, and has been, Desdemona's lover, finally arranging through his wife Emilia, who is arranging through his wife Emilia, who is Desdemona's waiting-woman, that Othello should Desdemona's waiting-woman, that Othello should see Cassio in possession of a handkerchief which he see Cassio in possession of a handkerchief which he had given to his bride. Othello is taken in by Iago's had given to his bride. Othello is taken in by Iago's promptings and in frenzied jealousy smothers promptings and in frenzied jealousy smothers Desdemona in her bed. Iago sets Roderigo to murder Desdemona in her bed. Iago sets Roderigo to murder Cassio, but when Roderigo fails to do this Iago kills Cassio, but when Roderigo fails to do this Iago kills him and Emilia as well, after she has proved him and Emilia as well, after she has proved Desdemona's innocence to Othello. Emilia's evidence Desdemona's innocence to Othello. Emilia's evidence and letters found on Roderigo prove Iago's guilt; he is and letters found on Roderigo prove Iago's guilt; he is arrested, and Othello, having tried to stab him, kills arrested, and Othello, having tried to stab him, kills himself. himself.

Theme-human natureTheme-human natureOthelloOthello offers a study of human nature, offers a study of human nature, which is made up principally of two which is made up principally of two warring elements, love and hatred. Of warring elements, love and hatred. Of the three characters in Othello, the three characters in Othello, Desdamona and Iago are the antitheses Desdamona and Iago are the antitheses of each other, with the former stands for of each other, with the former stands for love and life force that strives for order, love and life force that strives for order, community, growth and light and the community, growth and light and the latter for hatred and anti-life force that latter for hatred and anti-life force that seeks anarchy, revenge, death and seeks anarchy, revenge, death and darkness. Othello is the combination of darkness. Othello is the combination of the two.the two.

In the first part he manages a calm control In the first part he manages a calm control of himself under law and order, so the love of himself under law and order, so the love triumphs over hatred. In the latter part, triumphs over hatred. In the latter part, however, when the social conditions in however, when the social conditions in Cyprus are less secure, the Iago spirit starts Cyprus are less secure, the Iago spirit starts to undermine the noble values of Othello. to undermine the noble values of Othello. Gradually Othello’s noble quality is poisoned Gradually Othello’s noble quality is poisoned by Iago spirit, and yields to evil. The murder by Iago spirit, and yields to evil. The murder of Desdemona acts as the final destruction of Desdemona acts as the final destruction in Othello himself of all the ordering power in Othello himself of all the ordering power of love, trust and bond between human of love, trust and bond between human beings. So it is the flaw, the sin that all flesh beings. So it is the flaw, the sin that all flesh is heir to that destroys Othello.is heir to that destroys Othello.

ThemeTheme —humanism—humanism Othello Othello can be regarded as a tragedy of humanism. can be regarded as a tragedy of humanism. Othello is a new man of the Renaissance. He is a Othello is a new man of the Renaissance. He is a great warrior, and too noble-minded to suspect great warrior, and too noble-minded to suspect those whom he loves. Though he is a black man, he those whom he loves. Though he is a black man, he has great moral beauty. He loves Desdemoda so has great moral beauty. He loves Desdemoda so dearly just because he finds he to be the dearly just because he finds he to be the embodiment of integrity, sincerity and loftiness of embodiment of integrity, sincerity and loftiness of mind. These qualities , together with her youth and mind. These qualities , together with her youth and beauty, make her his ideal of a woman, and her love beauty, make her his ideal of a woman, and her love the greatest reward for his long and hard life. the greatest reward for his long and hard life. Desdemoda and Othello both belong to the future Desdemoda and Othello both belong to the future world. Their tragedy shows that noble-minded world. Their tragedy shows that noble-minded people may be led astray by evil forces in an evil people may be led astray by evil forces in an evil society and commit horrible mistakes if they cannot society and commit horrible mistakes if they cannot distinguish truth from falsehood, and good from evil. distinguish truth from falsehood, and good from evil.

Theme—jealousyTheme—jealousyJealousy is also often regarded as one main Jealousy is also often regarded as one main theme of theme of OthelloOthello. Almost all the characters in . Almost all the characters in the play are in some way jealous or are the play are in some way jealous or are involved in jealousy. Othello, the essentially involved in jealousy. Othello, the essentially noble man, who is not “easily jealous”, has noble man, who is not “easily jealous”, has been infected by Iago’s jealousy and been infected by Iago’s jealousy and becomes a prey of jealousy. Evil conquers becomes a prey of jealousy. Evil conquers Othello with jealousy and destroys his Othello with jealousy and destroys his nobleness. Subtle variations of torture reduce nobleness. Subtle variations of torture reduce him to a beast of fury and madness. The love him to a beast of fury and madness. The love that united man and woman, youth and that united man and woman, youth and maturity, black and white in marriage is maturity, black and white in marriage is shattered. So this play is a close study of shattered. So this play is a close study of man’s nature.man’s nature.

ThemeTheme —racial prejudice—racial prejudiceOthelloOthello is also a tragedy of the coloured people in is also a tragedy of the coloured people in a society of racial prejudice. Though well-known a society of racial prejudice. Though well-known as a soldier and in high position, Othello has been as a soldier and in high position, Othello has been a man living in loneliness, because he is black. a man living in loneliness, because he is black. The citizens of Venice seem to be treating him as The citizens of Venice seem to be treating him as one of themselves, but to have him marry one of one of themselves, but to have him marry one of their daughter is quite another matter. Here we their daughter is quite another matter. Here we can find strong racial prejudice against the black. can find strong racial prejudice against the black. Iago, in carrying out his evil intrigue, sees this, Iago, in carrying out his evil intrigue, sees this, and in his hint to Othello, he touches persistently and in his hint to Othello, he touches persistently on the unnaturalness of Othello’s marriage in the on the unnaturalness of Othello’s marriage in the eyes of the white gentlemen. Here lies the social eyes of the white gentlemen. Here lies the social background of Iago’s success in ruining Othello’s background of Iago’s success in ruining Othello’s happinesshappiness

What is Tragedy?What is Tragedy?Othello Othello is is a tragedya tragedy, which means that it , which means that it looks at life’s dark underside. looks at life’s dark underside. Tragedies frequently make reference to Tragedies frequently make reference to our our mortality, to death, to decay, and to mortality, to death, to decay, and to good and evil. good and evil. Tragedy explores our dark impulses such Tragedy explores our dark impulses such as as jealousy, murderous impulses, jealousy, murderous impulses, unhealthy competition, and uncontrolled unhealthy competition, and uncontrolled ambitionambition. .

Heroes of Tragic PlaysHeroes of Tragic PlaysHeroes are often pushed to the furthest Heroes are often pushed to the furthest limitslimits of of human endurance.human endurance.Heroes in Shakespeare are Heroes in Shakespeare are lofty figures lofty figures such as such as princes, kings, and other noblemen who live life princes, kings, and other noblemen who live life to the fullest—and fall. to the fullest—and fall. Despite their elevated status, Shakespeare’s Despite their elevated status, Shakespeare’s heroes share traits with which we can identify.heroes share traits with which we can identify.Shakespeare’s heroes often Shakespeare’s heroes often struggle with their struggle with their conscience.conscience.Some critics have noted that tragic heroes have Some critics have noted that tragic heroes have a a tragic flawtragic flaw, the one imperfection in an , the one imperfection in an otherwise perfect nature that leads to otherwise perfect nature that leads to the the downfalldownfall. .

What is Catharsis?What is Catharsis?This term means that we the reader/viewer of This term means that we the reader/viewer of the tragedy are transformed by viewing the the tragedy are transformed by viewing the horrific suffering of the hero. horrific suffering of the hero. Critics have noted that the hero often Critics have noted that the hero often experiences a redemptive moment in which experiences a redemptive moment in which he realizes the reason or scope of the he realizes the reason or scope of the downfall, and there may be moment of self-downfall, and there may be moment of self-acceptance or realization.acceptance or realization.We, like the hero, may experience a kind of We, like the hero, may experience a kind of relief or release after experiencing the shock relief or release after experiencing the shock of the tragedy. of the tragedy.

OTHELLO OTHELLO is. . .is. . .A A tragedy tragedy first produced 1604first produced 1604

Act I set in 16Act I set in 16thth century century VeniceVenice, a sophisticated, , a sophisticated, cultured, somewhat decadent city-statecultured, somewhat decadent city-state

The rest of the play is set in The rest of the play is set in CyprusCyprus, a , a Mediterranean Mediterranean islandisland that is a that is a Venetian colonyVenetian colony

One of Shakespeare’s most One of Shakespeare’s most intense intense playsplays

An archetypal story of the An archetypal story of the jealous husbandjealous husband

A plot with A plot with suspicion, the destruction of reputation, racial suspicion, the destruction of reputation, racial tension, sensuality, and . . . murder.tension, sensuality, and . . . murder.

A play with one of Shakespeare’s darkest most A play with one of Shakespeare’s darkest most loathsome figures, loathsome figures, IAGO, a charming man without a IAGO, a charming man without a conscience, a malignant and destructive plotter conscience, a malignant and destructive plotter

Time FrameTime FrameDuring the Ottoman-Venetian War 1570-During the Ottoman-Venetian War 1570-15731573

Act I: Venice, one Act I: Venice, one

Act II: Cyprus, a few weeks later, nightAct II: Cyprus, a few weeks later, night

Act III: Cyprus, the next morningAct III: Cyprus, the next morning

Act IV & V: Cyprus, that nightAct IV & V: Cyprus, that night