othello Appearance vs Reality technique summary PDF

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Summary

othello technique summary and link to context...

Description

Issue: Appearance Vs Reality Sub-Issue

Manipulation

Loyalty

Explanation of Sub-Issue

Iago acts as the major manipulator in the play. He manipulates his wife Emilia and together they influence the perception of Desdemona, Cassio and Othello. They take advantage of situations and trigger individual insecurity and doubt within the characters.

Othello is blinded by his trust in Iago and is naive in his belief of Iago’s loyalty? It is also

Quote

“In following him, I follow but myself.”

Dramatic Language/ Technique

Oxymoron

Effect

Shows Iago’s manipulative tendencies.

Link to Tragedy

Internal conflict of Iago’s insecurity and his inability to come to terms with Othello and his successes.

Link to Context

High society

Jealousy is Iago’s Hamartia “With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio.”

Metaphor of Entrapment

The use of metaphors throughout Iago’s soliloquies emphasise his intelligence and schematic actions.

Outlines Iago’s intent and eventual actions which bring down the innocent Cassio.

Mythological imagery?

“the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor.” VS “Rude am I in my speech, / And little bless'd with the soft phrase of peace.”

Dramatic Irony?

We hear about Othello before we see the reality of himself → Iago’s descriptions manipulate our perception of Othello

Emphasis on Iago’s intent. Conflict in perceptions.

Racial prejudices

"I know, Iago, Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter."

Dramatic irony

Othello's repetitive & Foreshadowing Othello's Venetian self-assured praises of ultimate downfall due to displays of love. Iago as honest creates his trust in Iago Military kinship dramatic irony as the

Issue: Appearance Vs Reality Sub-Issue

Explanation of Sub-Issue

Quote

Dramatic Language/ Technique

Desdemona’s loyalty to Othello which leads to her downfall.

Effect

Link to Tragedy

Link to Context

audience knows Iago is actually scheming against him “O, let the heavens give him defence against the elements, for I have lost him on a dangerous sea.”

Religious Imagery

Cassio highlights his loyalty to Othello, expressing his concerns for Othello’s safety.

Emphasises Cassio’s innocence and love for Othello, which is later betrayed.

Religious values of the era

Oxymoron

Exemplifies Iago’s cryptic and elliptical manner of speaking. Revealing his game of deception

Internal Conflict? → driving force of plot with Iago’s greed fuelling his revenge and going beyond to ruin Othello

High Society. Machiavelli was known as the Prince maker.

Ideology of Machiavellian ism (Using every part of their arsenal to their goal)

Refers to a personality trait which sees a person so focused on their own interests they will manipulate, deceive, and exploit others to achieve their goals.

“I am not what I am”

“The Moor is of a free Superior and open nature tone That thinks men honest that but seem to be so, “

Iago utilising Iago’s ‘easily led and gullible nature’ of the Moor to his advantage

External Conflict → Iago’s manipulation is his quest for political control and status

Social Hierarchy: (Iago trying to climb up)

Duplicity

Due to Othello’s high military position, Iago, despite his racist remarks acts respectful towards

“I follow him to serve my turn upon him”

This depicts the duplicitous nature of Iago, wherein he obeys and shows respect to Othello in order to gain

Internal Conflict → Iago conforming to his position for know, to allow time for his plots to come into play.

Societal Hierarchy: Iago serves Othello and thus should be loyal to him,

Foreshadowi ng

Issue: Appearance Vs Reality Sub-Issue

Explanation of Sub-Issue

him. Behind his back, he questions how deserving Othello is of his position as well as a series of racist remarks about him.

Quote

Dramatic Language/ Technique

Effect

Link to Tragedy

Link to Context

selfishly.

but he isn't

“Men should be what Dramatic they seem” Irony

Iago ironically criticizes duplicitous nature, which further heightens the tension of the scene.

Notions of chivalry in Elizabethan times, honesty is valued

“O beware, my lord, of jealousy. It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.”

Iago metaphorically warns Othello of jealousy, which is ironic, as Iago is one of the major influences of Othello’s suspicions of Desdemona’s infidelity. Hence, the irony heightens the tension of the scene.

Iago’s subtle suggestions at Desdemona’s infidelity prompts Othello into irrationality and consequent murder of Desdemona. Hence bringing forth the tragedy of death for the characters.

Biblical references (Seven sins)

Audience knows that Iago is disloyal but Othello has been deceived to believe in ‘honest iago’ this ultimately highlights Iago’s deceptive nature. Appearance of

Othello's ignorance to Iago's true nature becomes one of his fatal flaws

Military life-and-death trust in each other

Metaphor; Imagery; Dramatic Irony

"So please your Dramatic grace, my ancient: A Irony man he is of honesty and trust. "

Issue: Appearance Vs Reality Sub-Issue

Explanation of Sub-Issue

Quote

Dramatic Language/ Technique

Effect

Link to Tragedy

Link to Context

friendship, reality of hatred Adultery

One interpretation of the events that have occurred in Othello is that Emilia indeed has cheated against Iago and hidden this.

“For that I do suspect the lusty Moor Hath leap'd into my seat; “

Metaphor

Provides audience with clue towards Iago’s motivation for his hatred towards Othello.

Possible motivation to Iago’s actions.

Adultery goes against Elizabethan/Jaco bean notions of honour/chivalry/ masculinity.

Othello and Desdemona’s relationship is strained by the alleged affair between Cassio and Desdemona

4.1.35-4.1.36 “We say lie on her when they belie/ her.”

Repetition

Emphasis of his disbelief of this possibility. It is interesting that this is considered to be a possibility, however, and alludes to knowledge of previous cheating. Compare “my life upon her loyalty” Causes Othello to feel ashamed or worthless. Describing himself as a cuckold: ‘A  horned man's a monster and a beast.’

Internal conflict which is when the hero struggles with their hamartia, can be seen in Othello’s mental breakdown as he cooms to believe his wife and Cassio have been sleeping together.

Discrimination against Moors...