Othello Character Analysis (All Characters) PDF

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Summary

Summary of all Othello characters and their key quotes...

Description

Othello -

The tragic hero/protagonist of the play Characterised by his status as the only black character in the entire play Divided character as some of the audience focus solely on his skin rather than the emotional torment he is faced with in the play Shakespeare utilises him to highlight that black people are human beings, rather than aggressive “creatures” that society has made them out to be

“My parts, my title and my perfect soul” (pg 10, act 1 scene 2) -

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Use of triple reinforces his belief that he’s worthy of Desdemona, could foreshadow the tragedy that is yet to come as three was seen as a devilish number (number of witches in Macbeth) Repetition of “my” reinforces the fact that he’s extremely arrogant + self-obsessed (link to tragic fall/hamartia, Othello commands the stage and perhaps the audience’s admiration? Alternative interpretation: perhaps not hubris, just proud of his accomplishments as he is in Venice which is populated with white people who don’t even acknowledge him as a person He has to be confident in himself to escape the discrimination he would otherwise face

“If after every tempest come such calms, May the winds blow till they have waken’d death” (pg 38, act 2 scene 1) -

Suggests tragedy is Othello’s fault- he asked for it Hyperbolic language suggests his excess of emotion, which could be his hamartia Othello’s speech is prophetic + ironic, winds are a metaphor for destruction (reflects the “whirlwind” marriage between him and Desdemona Othello=winds Desdemona= calms, oxymoron of “waken’d death” foreshadows Desdemona’s slow and painful death where she keeps waking up Dialogue highlights O + D’s besotted nature with another, honest interjections of more humble, pure and honest love contrast greatly with Iago’s bitter + deceitful nature..

“Think, my lord! By heaven, he echoes me” (pg 64, act 3 scene 3) -

Christian reference of “lord”, symbol of high regard Othello has for Iago, worship imagery relatable to contemporary audience Confirms Iago’s role as the puppeteer and how the characters are so easily seduced by him Othello seeks reassurance by mirroring Iago’s speech through specific lexis choice, linguistic symbol of Iago’s corruption and the beginning of Othello’s mental deterioration

Iago -

The play’s tragic Machiavellian villain who aims to completely destroy Othello, does this by invading his close circle and poisoning all of them against each other

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Audience is made complicit in his role to spread chaos, yet idly sit by as he is an upperclass white man Heavily involved in the exposition and climax as he controls how the narrative shapes to form a tale of death and deceit (demonises Othelloe even before we meet him and brings about the Handkerchief plot)

“I am not what I am” (pg 3, act 1 scene 1) -

Link to temptation scene in the bible “Men should be what they seem”, reference to Exodus 3:14, like a false God Iago views himself as a puppeteer Servants wore master’s insignia on their sleeves, Iago is literally putting on a show so it outwardly looks like he loves Othello (irony)

“With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio” (pg 37, act 2 scene 1) -

Structure of language returns to prose to reflect end of his playfulness Language continually linked to zoomorphic imagery, dehumanises his victims, regards no-one as people but as playthings he can bend to his own will

- Moment of rising action as Iago brings in minor chracters just to hurt Othello, Cassio is a "means to an end" for him-> reflects typical Machiavellian villain characteristics

"Look to your wife observe her well with Cassio" (pg 68, act 3 scene 3) - Imperatives develop the sense of control Iago has over Othello - Key theme of jealousy - Link to deceit/cuckoldry-> Iago is taunting Othello with the thought that another man is making his wife happy instead of him, a sense of shame would come from this - Key part of rising action as Iago's poisonous words are slowly working their way into Othello's mind revealing his hamartia (too trustworthy/naive)

Emilia - Wife to Iago and Desdemona's handmaiden - At first glance she seems to be another repressed woman who's life is dictated by her husband, but in actual fact Emilia knows her worth and keeps quiet in order not to arouse suspicion - Forms a pivotal role in the resolution as she pledges her allegiance to Desdemona even in death - Actively goes against the patriarchy and is aware of the unfairness of it all

"I nothing but to please his fantasy" (pg 72, act 3 scene 3) - Subservience reflects obediene of all women in the play to their male counterparts - Demonstrates patriarchal nature of Venetian society, women are subject to the whims of their husbands - Suggests relationship based on duty than affection-> link to arranged marriages - Forms part of the expositon that makes the audience initally believe that Emilia follows her husband at all times, alternatively complies to him because it distracts him from knowing her real self?

"Lay me by my mistress side" (pg 136, act 5 scene 2) - Use of imperatives depict one last bout of strength from Emilia - Lack of stage directiosn bring about the question if her last wish was fulfilled? - Reflects how women's thoughts are blatantly ignored even in death, forms resolution and makes the audience question whether their life could end up like this...