OTHELLO

About author:

William Shakespeare (bapt. 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616)[a] was an English playwright,
poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the
world's greatest dramatist.[2][3][4] He is often called England's national poet and the
"Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard").[5][b] His extant works, including collaborations,
consist of some 39 plays,[c] 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other
verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every
major living language and are performed more often than those of any other
playwright.[7] They also continue to be studied and reinterpreted
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of
18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna and
twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful
career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner of a playing company called
the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men. At age 49 (around 1613),
he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of
Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about
such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and whether
the works attributed to him were written by others.[8][9][10]

Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613.[11][12][d] His
early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best
work produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among
them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be
among the finest works in the English language.[2][3][4] In the last phase of his life, he
wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.

he wrote 34 plays, 154 sonnets and several poems.

The writer's work is mainly divided into several categories:

early dramas (mainly comedies and histories, ie dramas with contents from the English
and ancient past and initial attempts at tragedies)

mature age (great tragedies)

later period of creation (so-called dark comedies or problematic dramas and

"romances")
William Shakespeare is one of the few imaginative writers in the world. Shakespeare is
perhaps the world’s most popular writer. His works represent a novelty of world
theaters and have made an impact in other arts, from music to painting and film. He
had a tremendous influence on world literature. Particular emphasis can be placed on
the diversity in the presentation of human experience, which ranges from tragedy to
comedy, from pessimism to optimism, from depression to fantastic romance.

Theathers and rulers

.

Theatres were open arenas or playhouses that had room for up to three thousand
people. They were structures made mainly of wood. There was no heating and actors
got wet when it rained. The stage was higher and there was an open pit in front of it
where most of the people could stand in. Richer people and noblemen sat in the gallery.
There was almost no scenery because the dialogue was the most important part of the
play. Colourful and well-designed costumes were very important and told the people
about the status of a character. Women never performed in plays, so young boys
played female characters. The performances took place in the afternoon because it was
too dark at night.

There was no stage crew as there is today. Actors had to do everything themselves -
from making costumes to setting the stage.

Plays were organized by acting companies. They performed about 6 different plays each
week because they needed money to survive. They had almost no time for rehearsals.

The companies in Shakespeare’s time had a hierarchical system.

• The company belonged to shareholders and mangers. They were responsible for
everything and got most of the money when the company was successful. Sometimes
they even owned there own buildings.

• Actors worked for the managers and after some time became a permanent member
of the company.
• Apprentices were young boys were allowed to act in menial roles. They also played
females characters in plays.

Lord Chamberlain’s Men and the Admiral’s Men were the two most important
companies in London at that time. Among the most famous theatres during were the
Globe, the Swan and the Fortune

Theater changed when Shakespeare first arrived in London in the late 1580s or early
1590s. Earlier, the most common forms of popular English theater were moral
performances from the Tudor dynasty. These are dramas, which were a mixture of piety
and comedy. The characters and plots in the plots are symbolic, not real. As a child,
Shakespeare probably watched such theaters. In the meantime, academic theater
performances with a theme from Roman dramas were organized at universities.

At the end of the 16th century, the popularity of moral and academic plays bored, with
the strengthening of the English Renaissance and the appearance of playwrights who
started the theatrical revolution. Their plays mix old moral dramas with academic
theater to create a new form of theater. Inspired by this new style, Shakespeare took
these changes to a new level, creating performances that not only have a strong
connection to the audience, but also explore and discuss the basic elements of what it
means to be human.

The Rulers:

The Elizabethan era was a golden age for England. This significantly influenced writers,
especially Shakespeare who wrote comedies and historical plays at the time. The Queen
herself actively supported the theaters, but also William himself. However, she
introduced some rules. Religious topics were banned because she herself was a
Protestant. The topics were not related to public holidays, but some of them were
related to historical events like Othello. Her reign brought many good things, but it also
influenced Shakespeare.
During the reign of James, the situation was different. There was more turbulence, but
he also supported the work of many writers, as well as Shakespeare. During this period,
William focused on writing tragedies, probably due to the influence of the current
government. However, the most famous works of this writer were written during this
period.

The Moor

Othello is perhaps the most famous literary exploration of the destructive power of
jealousy and doubt. At the same time it is one of the earliest literary works dealing with
issues of race and racism. Othello is undeniably a hero despite his shortcomings, he is
the most prominent dark-skinned protagonist from the time of early Western
literature. Othello faces constant racism from other characters in this drama, especially
after he married Desdemona, a privileged white woman whose father disapproves of
this marriage. [2]

Othello is presented in this drama as a noble man of great reputation who is respected
and admired by the Duke and the Venetian Senate, as well as those who serve him like
Cassius, Montana, and Lodovico. The Elizabethan and Jacobian stage abounded with
black characters, but none were given such a large or heroic role as Othello.

The origin of the word Moor has been traced to Greek as well as Latin words that
translate as "black" or "very dark." Some sources refer to Moors as being Berbers, who,
for the most part, were light skinned and blue-eyed. Other sources state that the term
Moor was used to designate people of the Muslim faith. The names Morocco and
Mauritania are said to be derivatives of the word Moor.

The events of Othello take place around the year 1500 when the Venetian and Ottoman
empires were in conflict over the cities, islands, and ports of the Mediterranean. Cyprus,
where much of the play unfolds, was a Venetian port under almost constant siege by
the Ottoman Turks.
Othello is set in a period when the Ottoman Empire and Venice were at constant war.
By the time Othello was first performed, four wars have already taken place. Othello is
placed mid the most recent war – War of Cyprus. Cyprus was a Venetian outpost that
got attacked by the Turks. The Venetians profited from the island’s production of sugar,
cotton, and wine and the Turks wanted to invade Cyprus because they already
expanded greatly across the Mediterranean and Europe. In the summer of 1570, the
Ottoman fleet set sail for Cyprus. The Turkish army fought for several months before
successfully capturing Nicosia, the island’s capital.
Tragedy key facts
Full Title The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice

Author William Shakespeare

Type Of Work Play

Genre Tragedy

Language English

Time And Place Written Between 1601 and 1604, England

Date Of First Publication 1622

Publisher Thomas Walkley

Tone Shakespeare clearly views the events of the play as tragic. He seems to view the
marriage between Desdemona and Othello as noble and heroic, for the most part.

Setting (Time) Late sixteenth century, during the wars between Venice and Turkey

Setting (Place) Venice in Act I; the island of Cyprus thereafter

Protagonist Othello

Major Conflict Othello and Desdemona marry and attempt to build a life together,
despite their differences in age, race, and experience. Their marriage is sabotaged by
the envious Iago, who convinces Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful.

Rising Action Iago tells the audience of his scheme, arranges for Cassio to lose his
position as lieutenant, and gradually insinuates to Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful.

Climax The climax occurs at the end of Act III, scene iii, when Othello kneels with Iago
and vows not to change course until he has achieved bloody revenge.

Falling Action Iago plants the handkerchief in Cassio’s room and later arranges a
conversation with Cassio, which Othello watches and sees as “proof” that Cassio and
Desdemona have slept together. Iago unsuccessfully attempts to kill Cassio, and Othello
smothers Desdemona with a pillow. Emilia exposes Iago’s deceptions, Othello kills
himself, and Iago is taken away to be tortured.
Themes The incompatibility of military heroism and love; the danger of isolation

Motifs Sight and blindness; plants; animals; hell, demons, and monsters

Symbols The handkerchief; the song “Willow”

Foreshadowing Othello and Desdemona’s speeches about love foreshadow the disaster
to come; Othello’s description of his past and of his wooing of Desdemona foreshadow
his suicide speech; Desdemona’s “Willow” song and remarks to Emilia in Act IV, scene iii,
foreshadow her death.

Iago and Roderigo walked through Venice and talked about Desdemona's marriage to
Othello, or as they called him Moor. Iago was jealous because Michael Cassio was
chosen as the new lieutenant, instead of him. Since Desdemona ran away from her
father's house and got married, the two of them decided to tell old Brabantio that. Her
father got angry and decided to go to Othello to make sure it was true, that is, to see if
his daughter had really done it. Iago hurried back to Othello so as not to lose his
job. He had to be with the master when Brabantio arrived. Cassio comes to Othello to
tell him that the duke wants to see him. Namely, an emergency council was convened
because the Turks attacked Cyprus. At that moment, Brabantio arrives, blaming Othello
for witchcraft and magic, and they then go to a meeting together. Brabantio also
complained to Othello in front of the senators, and they brought Desdemona to tell her
that she had married of her own free will. Brabantio was disappointed and left
sad. Othello was then sent to Cyprus as well because he was not a top fighter and
general, and his wife went with him. Iago had to worry about Desdemona. Iago devises
a plan to take Roderigo and make Desdemona fall in love with him, and since he was
rich, Iago will take his money and use him against Othello.

Act II
Due to the strong storm, the Turkish ships were lost and totally destroyed. Cassio
happily arrives in Cyprus, followed by Desdemona, Roderigo, Emilia and Iago. Othello's
ship is lost, but after a while he happily arrives in port. Since the war was over, they
organized a celebration that evening. Knowing this, Iago devises a plan to get Cassio
drunk who was on guard, and then Roderigo will provoke him until they fight. Roderigo
agreed as Iago told him that Cassio was in love with Desdemona. Everything happened
exactly according to his plan. Othello saw the fight, so Iago told him what had
happened. Cassio is fired and Iago becomes the new lieutenant. Othello goes to bed,
and the two of them start talking. Namely, Iago advises Cassio to go to Desdemona and
ask her for help to regain his reputation. This was just another part of Iago's plan.

Act III

Cassio was talking to Desdemon, so she demanded that he return to the

position. Othello told her he wanted to be a little alone to decide. Iago, an honest man,
as the general called him, was with him. He inquired about Cassio and Desdemona. In a
mysterious way, he cast doubt on Othello's thoughts. Of course he believed his wife
was faithful, but he had little doubt. He later set out for dinner with Desdemona. He
didn't feel very well, his head hurt, so she took her handkerchief and wanted to wrap it
around his head, but it was too small. Othello removed it and Desdemona dropped the
handkerchief. Emilia found her later. She knew she was special because it was the first
gift Desdemona had received from Othello. Iago then came and took the handkerchief,
he had wanted to get to her through Emilia before that. Othello told Iago that it makes
him think badly and if the council wants to accuse Desdemona of infidelity he wants
proof. Iago said he heard Cassio talking about her in a dream and that Cassio had her
handkerchief with strawberries. That upset the general very much. He said he didn't
want Cassio alive, but neither did his wife. Desdemona regretted the handkerchief, and
when Othello asked her to show it to her, she couldn't. He got angry and yelled at
her. She had never seen him like this before, he thought something was wrong in
Venice.

Act IV
Iago continued with his plan of destruction. He told the general how Desdemona and
Cassio had kissed. Othello was very angry and disappointed. Iago told him to hide while
he talked to Cassio about it. And so it was, Cassio talked to him but not About
Desdemona, but about Bianca, Cassio's girlfriend. Of course the general didn't know
that. He wanted to kill him right away, but he was still patient. Then Bianca came in
carrying a handkerchief, saying she didn't want it because it must have belonged to
another girl. After that, Lodovico brings a letter about Othello's return to
Venice. During the conversation, Othello hit Desdemona because he was very
angry. Emilia tries to convince him that his wife is really faithful in that there is no
reason to be angry with her, but he continues with his anger. Not even Desdemona
could blame him for his anger. That evening he told her to be in the room alone.

Act V

Iago tells Roderigo how he needs to prove himself tonight and kill Cassio to get to
Desdemona. Since he loved her so much, he did. He attacked Cassio, but failed to kill
him, only wounding him. Iago knew they both had to be dead, so he killed
Roderick. Lodovico and Emilia came when they heard Cassio calling for help. At the
same time, Othello wanted to kill Desdemona, his greatest love. A person he both
hated and loved. He did not allow her to say anything, he kissed her and killed
her. Emilia ran into the room to tell him about the fight, but when she saw her lady
dead on the bed, she was sad and started yelling at Othello. She assured him that it was
a mistake and just when she wanted to explain to him what really happened, Iago came
in and attacked her with a sword to save himself. Although she was wounded, she told
Othello the truth and died. When he learned the truth, he could not bear the fact that
he had killed his love, kissed her already dead body, and killed himself. Cassio remained
in charge of Cyprus, and Iago was punished.

Major themes

The main themes in Othello are prejudice, jealousy, manipulation, but also racism. Iago
manipulated many characters to avenge his place as a lieutenant. In a way, he
brainwashed Othello to make him believe his theory of Desdemona's infidelity. This
sparked jealousy that led to prejudice. Othello blindly trusted Iago and made a
prejudice about his wife, not allowing her to say anything about it. Because of that, this
drama has a sad ending that tells us exactly about the wrong actions. In addition to all
that, we have racism. Othello was black and was therefore called the Moor, with some
tone of provocation. In Roderigo's words, we can see that he did not think that Othello
was worthy of Desdemona's love, and her father thought the same way.

Symbols

The Handkerchief

The handkerchief symbolises different things to different characters:

i) Since the handkerchief was the first gift Desdemona received from Othello, she keeps
it about her constantly as a symbol of Othello’s love.

ii) Iago manipulates the handkerchief so that Othello comes to see it as a symbol of
Desdemona herself – her faith and chastity. By taking possession of it, he is able to
convert it into evidence of her infidelity.

iii) But the handkerchief’s importance to Iago and Desdemona derives from its
importance to Othello himself. He tells Desdemona that it was woven by a 200-year-old
sibyl, or female prophet, using silk from sacred worms and dye extracted from the
hearts of mummified virgins. Othello claims that his mother used it to keep his father
faithful to her, so, to him, the handkerchief represents marital fidelity.

The significance of red is love, red strawberries like red hearts on the love token
handkerchief, and like the red stains from Othello and Desdemona's first night of love
on the marriage sheets. Such red on white is private and dear to the heart of Othello,
and he expects it to be similarly dear to his wife. It is the belief that Desdemona gave
away his handkerchief, and the sexually implications of the gift, that drives him to kill
her.

. Setting / Location

Shakespeare often uses different locations to represent mindsets. In Othello, Venice

represents civilisation, while Cyprus symbolises the wilderness. The idea is that what
happened in the Cyprus never would happen in the civilised city of Venice.

Protected by military fortifications as well as by the forces of nature, Cyprus faces little
threat from external forces. Once Othello, Iago, Desdemona, Emilia, and Roderigo have
come to Cyprus, they have nothing to do but prey upon one another.

Motifs

Sight and Blindness

Desdemona has the power to see Othello for what he is in a way that even Othello
himself cannot. She is unconcerned with his blackness – she is not blinded by it as other
characters appear to be.

There are many references to different kinds of sight and blindness in the pK7lay:

Sight:

Othello, though he demands “ocular proof”, is frequently convinced by things he does

not see: i) he demotes Cassio as lieutenant based on the story Iago tells; ii) he relies on
Iago’s story of seeing Cassio wipe his beard with Desdemona’s handkerchief; and iii) he
believes Cassio to be dead simply because he hears him scream.

Blindness:

The action of the play depends heavily on characters not seeing things: i) Othello
accuses his wife although he never sees her infidelity, and ii) Emilia, although she
watches Othello erupt into a rage about the missing handkerchief, does not “see” what
her husband has done

The poison is actually Iago. Throughout the tragedy, he is the person who destroys
everything he touches. In essence, he calls his plan "poisoning." His ultimate goal was
to poison that community in order to destroy Othello. It destroys slowly like some
poisons, slowly but cruelly.
By poet and literary critic William Empson's count, there are 52 uses of "honest" and
"honesty" throughout the play. "Honest" has a wide range of meaning in Othello. At
times, it refers to chastity, the question of whether a woman is "honest" or whether she
is promiscuous. At other times, the word refers to personal honesty, whether or not a
person is telling the truth. It can also refer to whether or not a person is a good and

Monolog

In dramatic literature, a character addresses himself, other characters or the audience in

a monologue. Thus, in a lyrical monologue, the character expresses his feelings towards
the dramatic action through a conversation with himself, and through the dramatic
monologue an internal conflict or doubt is often revealed.

Soliloquy, passage in a drama in which a character expresses his thoughts or feelings

aloud while either alone upon the stage or with the other actors keeping silent. This
device was long an accepted dramatic convention, especially in the theatre of the 16th,
17th, and 18th centuries. Her father loved me, oft invited me (Spoken by Othello Act 1
Scene 3) In short, the soliloquy of Othello serves the poetic functions of exposing
psychologically and thematically significant material. The dark and dangerous evils of
the mind of Iago and the storms in the mind of Othello could not have been so
effectively revealed without their soliloquies, and their characters would not have been
so powerfully delineated without their involving mind-searching soliloquies.

An aside is a dramatic device in which a character speaks to the audience. By

convention the audience is to realize that the character's speech is unheard by the other
characters on stage. It may be addressed to the audience expressly (in character or out)
or represent an unspoken thought. An aside is usually a brief comment, rather than a
speech, such as a monologue or soliloquy.

Blank verse is poetry written with a precise meter—almost always iambic pentameter—
but that does not rhyme. When a poem is written in iambic pentameter, it means each
line contains five iambs—two syllable pairs in which the second syllable is emphasized.
A literary foil is a character whose purpose is to accentuate or draw attention to the
qualities of another character, most often the protagonist.

Emilia foils Desdemona because Desdemono is too naive, while Emilia is more cynical
and suspicious.
Iago foils Cassio because Cassio represents honesty and trust, while Iago represents a
liar and a bad person.
Cassio foils Othello because Othello represents a person who had an ego that should not
have been hurt, he did not forgive which is the opposite of Cassio.
Roderigo foils Othello because Roderigo failed to marry Desdemona, and Othello did.

Although it is a drama, the love from this tragedy inspired me and that is why this is my
favorite quote. I think that in everything bad we need to find something beautiful that
we will enjoy, so I recognized their love as a positive side. That is why I truly enjoyed
those beautiful words of love. This love satiated was sincere and pure. Unfortunately,
she was not strong enough to survive. This tragedy may not have a happy ending, but it
certainly has an important lesson for a lifetime. We need to build love in ourselves and
not allow anyone to tear down our beautiful building.