An analysis of the themes of pride and jealousy in othello, a. Othello themes t he main themes in othello are trust and deception, race and the outsider, the consequences of jealousy, and tensions between women and men. It is disturbing that the revenger, iago, survives at the end of the play. Othello by william shakespeare summary, themes, and analysis. Themes in shakespeares othello throughout shakespeares play, othello, there are many themes interwoven to describe the authors perspective of the true nature of a mans soul.
It gives me wonder great as my content to see you here before me. No fear shakespeare othello by sparknotes, transcription by alex woelffer 1 original text modern text act 1, scene 1 enter rodmerigo and iago roderigo and iago enter. Ranging from major themes to literary models, narrative devices, and form, thomas c. Read online othello sparknotes literature guide pdf. Othello by william shakespeare major themes in othello jealousy envy of what others have and fear of losing what we have race has a great amount of influence. In the play othello according to william shakespeare 1604 during the elizabeth era, there are many literary devices to help the reader understand the theme of the story because one of the those many literary devices that used in the play was the range of the jealousy. Themes, style, historical context, critical overview, criticism and critical essays, media. The second key motif that iago sets up in these lines is the contrast between light and dark. Shakespeare is prominent in his use of recurring themes throughout his works, particularly those of love, death, and betrayal. Aug 26, 2020 the theme emerges in other characters. Othello is degraded when he seeks revenge and he begins to act like a violent stereotype from revenge tragedy. The play was first staged on november 1st, 1604 and 1st published in 1622 by thomas walkley.
Act i, scene 1, lines 8691, 108112 inclass acting and discussion of othello. The othello oral report focused on dishonesty and miscommunication, jealousy and regret, and gender and pride, as well as more themes that i consider less prominent and will therefore not discuss. Apr 30, 2018 shakespeares othello unfortunately remains a little too relevant for a modern audience. Othello is influenced by the conventions of greek tragedy. The first line is a complete sentence and a complete line of iambic pentameter which makes it feel confident. Iago offers, even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe 8889, introducing the notion of light and dark, white and black, which will come in to contrast as the theme of. Themes in othello throughout william shakespeares othello, many forces show. Should be used with other approaches to enhance them and to give clues to unlocking themes and symbolic meanings, excellent tool for reading between the lines, this approach became popular in the 20th century after sigmund. Jealousy motivates the central conflicts of othello. One is quick to think this jealously is based on othello s lack of belief in desdemonas faithfulness to him or his suspensions over desdemonas affair with cassio, othello s honorable lieutenant. Iago plots how he may use othello s marriage as a means to revenge. Find at least three lines of text to support your chosen theme. Download shakespeares othello from the folger shakespeare in xml, html, pdf, doc, and more.
Shakespeares language tends to be dense, metaphorical, full of puns and wordplay, and yet natural, so thatto steal a line from hamletit comes trippingly off the tongue of an actor. This worksheet will be used by student groups to complete an analysis of iagos language in the first scene of the play. In othello, the major themes reflect the values and the motivations of characters love. What was iagos motivation in act i, scene i, lines 867. Iago crudely informs brabantio, desdemonas father, that othello and desdemona have eloped. But iago instead provides the circumstantial evidence of the handkerchief, which othello, consumed by his jealousy, accepts as a substitute for ocular proof. A study of contrast between english and persian translation. Othello suspects that desdemona is deceitful and impure, although she is really blameless and innocent.
As this metaphor suggests, jealousy is closely associated with the theme of appearance and reality. Iago famously uses jealousy to bring othello down, yet he, iago, also admits jealousy of others. But there are many example in the play with othello and the big. Iago uses othello s love for desdemona against him. We see how lives can be destroyed when people succumb to jealousy and become convinced that merely circumstantial evidence is proof of wrongdoing. I take it much unkindly that thou, iago, who hast had my purse as if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this. Definitions and examples of 6 literary terms and devices. The effect of iagos rhetoric on othello act iv, scene 1, line 1945. The theme of love is blinding is best shown in desdemona and othello, emilia and iago, and brabantio and desdemona. Just invest tiny get older to contact this on line revelation othello sparknotes literature guide. Such selfisolation leads to the deaths of roderigo, iago, othello, and even emilia.
Othello and brabantio meet with the duke of venice, who orders othello to take charge of the venetian army in cyprus. Iago speaks over one third of the lines in the play, showing how dominant he is as the villain. Worlds best powerpoint templates crystalgraphics offers more powerpoint templates than anyone else in the world, with over 4 million to choose from. Othello promotes the michael cassio to the position of personal lieutenant and iago is deadly jealous. And let the labouring bark climb hills of seas olympushigh and duck again. Each group should use the sheet to record their responses to the. When desdemona departs, lodovico asks, is this the noble moor whom our full senate call all in all sufficient.
Themes checklist a theme is an issue or concern in the text which the writer is trying to explore. Othello shows the audience the detrimental effects of jealousy through the actions of othello himself. As othello was a soldier, we see throughout the play that his married life is much affected. Brabantio is deceived by desdemonas reaction to othello, assuming she fears him when she truly loves the moor. Iagos desire for revenge is presented as destructive, unnatural and egotistical. Jan 29, 20 racism in othello william shakespeare 1. Before introducing this activity, download and copy the worksheet, zounds, sir, youre robbed, available here as a. Pdf shakespeareintheruinspresentsothello studyguide. It explores the tragedies and atrocities that exists in society, many aspects unfortunately still relevant.
Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. We rarely see her and iago alone, or interacting for longer than a few lines. Shakespeares othello remains relevant for a modern. Winner of the standing ovation award for best powerpoint templates from presentations magazine. Oct 18, 2018 pride and jealousy othello, written by shakespeare, uses multiple thematic focuses to develop a tragic plot. The text published in the first folio of 1623 seems to have been based on a version revised by shakespeare himself that sticks close to the original almost line by line but introduces numerous. Ppt major themes in othello powerpoint presentation. Choose what you believe to be the one central theme in othello. Othello is an atypical tragedy in that it is based on domestic events between othello and desdemona rather than the fall of kings or great men and nations. They are talking about cassios sexual relations with bianca, but all the while othello thinks cassio is talking about desdemona. Iago, encouraging cassio to seek desdemonas assistance in returning to othello s favor, begins slowly poisoning othello s mind by making him think that desdemona is illicitly involved with cassio. Shakespeares othello is a play consistently based on jealously and the way it can destroy lives.
Shakespeares othello and the power of language neh. Literary themes in othello the play, othello, is a tragedy by william shakespeare, that circles around a man by the name othello. Sexual jealousy is explored in all the couples relationships and is always destructive. Theyll give your presentations a professional, memorable appearance the kind of sophisticated look that todays audiences expect. Here othello is listening in on a conversation between iago and cassio. The senators wish to send othello to cyprus, which is under threat from turkey. A free powerpoint ppt presentation displayed as a flash slide show on id. This study aims at investigating the psychological approach and translation analysis of the novel genre. Before the venetian senate, brabantio accuses othello of bewitching desdemona. Shakespeares othello remains relevant for a modern audience.
Evidence it is the cause, it is the cause, my soul. Jealousy is one of the central themes in this play. The sexual jealousy we see is unfounded but plausible. Get even more from the folger you c a n ge t your ow n c opy of t hi s t e xt t o ke e p. Shakespeares language tends to be dense, metaphorical, full of puns and wordplay, and yet natural, so thatto steal a line from hamletit comes trippingly off. Desdemona and othello travel separately to cyprus and are joyfully reunited. Iago newly appointed ensign to othello, moor of venice. The theme of love othello essay, othello themes on study boss. You should know the main ones in othello and be prepared to answer a question on each.
Othello s social standing is not what upsets brabantio. He is a highly esteemed general in the service of venice. Othello also feels hes being deceived by cassio, whom he trusts and who appears loyal. Explore the different themes within william shakespeares tragic play, othello. Iago plans to provoke cassio into a fight with roderigo and to convince. For instance, he has othello watch cassio and desdemona speak. It is easily assumed that the major themes of othello are jealousy and. Othello s context the word moor now refers to the islamic arabic inhabitants of north africa who conquered spain in the eighth century, but the term was used rather broadly in the period and was sometimes applied to africans from other regions. P ur c ha s e a f ul l c opy t o ge t t he t e xt, pl us e xpl a na t or y not e s, i l l us t r a t i ons, a nd m or e. Themes and motifs often help directors and designers choose their concept.
As with all of shakespeares plays, there are lots of themes that appear in othello. Othello has promoted cassio, not iago, to be his lieutenant. In othello, the major themes reflect the values and the motivations of characters. The lines are clearly drawn in the sand by the end of act 1.
Othello and marks the beginning of his deterioration through jealousy. Iago is immediately revealed as a jealous character. A study of contrast between english and persian translation mahzad mardiha sheikhbahaei university, iran email. Get the entire othello litchart as a printable pdf. Jealousy, racism, love, doubt, marriage and gender. Shakespeares othello and the power of language nehedsitement. If you scan the dialogue in othello, you will find. Themes in othello love and the discordancy of military heroism.
Ppt major themes in othello powerpoint presentation free. In othello, love is a force that overcomes large obstacles and is tripped up by small ones. For instance, at one point othello demands that iago provide ocular proof of desdemonas infidelityhe demands to see reality. In cyprus when he tries to enjoy his marriage, an emergency alarm is rung in the whole town, though the matter was not that serious. Line by line modern translations of every shakespeare play and poem. After desdemona and emilia exit, iago goes to work on othello. In act iv of othello the theme basically shows appearance v.
Act iv, scene i, lines 283 284 not only is iago responsible for othello s loss of love, but he is also responsible for his political downfall. Its a great idea to keep a list of key quotes and themes in each act. Teachers notes mamillaneadeomhaeeae 216 macmillan education 1 activity 1 write the key themes from othello on the board. Iago hints to othello that she deceived her father so she could deceive him. Othello, also titled the tragedy of othello, the moor of venice, is a tragic play written by william shakespeare in 1603 as accepted by most scholars. Introduction othello is unique among shakespeares great tragedies. The theme of love othello essay, othello themes on. However, desdemona, through her unwitting support of cassio to othello, contributes to his growing jealousy.
Love can be used against you love can be manipulated. The rhythm of the first line suggests that othello believes that he is right about what he is about to do. Mar 14, 2019 these themes are shown through the characterization and action. He is jealous of his lieutenant, cassio, because othello has been led to believe that his wife, desdemona, is having an affair with cassio, thus making him incredibly jealous. Ask students what they knowthink about the story of othello which of the emotions listed on the board do they think othello will feel. Need help on themes in william shakespeares othello. Draper voices a similar interpretation in saying, love is the theme of othello, and jealousy is the alembic by which that love is tried. Unlike hamlet, king lear, and macbeth, which are set against a backdrop of affairs of state and which reverberate with suggestions of universal human concerns, othello is set in a private world and focuses on the passions and personal lives of its major figures. Iagos resentment of othello, and othello s suspicion of desdemona. Mar 04, 2021 these othello quotes bring the life of a story written centuries ago to modern life, as many of the virtues in this old play are still valid today.
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