Act One: Scene 1
-We Do Not Hear Othello's Name in the First Exchange between Roderigo and Iago (referred to by a derogatory term)
IAGO: proudly says he knows his worth--> recommended by 3 noblemen
IAGO: Angry because Cassio is not a soldier but a Strategist
RODERIGO: If
Act One: Scene 2
Iago Pretends he Doesn't Like Roderigo/Brabantio
- Iago wanted to "hit Roderigo"
Othello (Confidently) Defends Himself:
1) Royal Blood and Esteemed General
2) Truly loves Des and thinks Love is enough to escape accusation
3) Believes he has nothing to hid
Act One: Scene 3
Setting: Impeding Conflict w/ Turks
-Turks went to Rhodes for fleets
Despite Brabantio's higher status he=afterthought because Othello is More NEEDED
Dukes Response: NO questions b/c Brab's power
FIRST--> law will be enforced
AFTER LEARNING IT'S OTHELLO--
Act Two: Scene 1
Setting: Cypress, weeks have gone by
-Battle Never Happens, Turks are killed in Storm
Montano Praises Othello--> Othello is Highly Respected
Cassio--> Flirtatious with EVERY Woman (Florentine Etiquette)
1) Iago Manipulates this
2) "foils" Iago
Iago thinks
Act Two: Scene 2
Setting: No Impending War=Time for Celebration
From 5-11, everyone is partying (no work)
Potential Issues: Drunk People=fights
Act Two: Scene 3
Othello Puts Cassio in Charge--> warns him to be careful
Both Othello and Cassio are BLIND to Iago's manipulation
Iago Start Suggestive Conversation about Des
1) Cassio keeps going back to delicate beauty
Cassio Does not handle Alcohol Well--> Iago will E
Act Three: Scene 1
Cassio brings Musicians to wake up Othello but they get sent away
Cassio tells Emilia to send a message to Des
Iago LIES: syays he will distract Othello while Des and Cassio talk
Emilia hears Othello say he will reinstate Cassio soon
1) Cassio is unsatisf
Act Three: Scene 2
Othello gives Iago letters for the pilots of ships returning to Venice
1) Iago is going to tour the fortifications around a fortress
Act Three: Scene 3
Des tells Cassio that Othello wants to Reinstate him but cannot due to politics
1) Cassio: his absence will soon be forgotten/replaced
Des Promises: she will constantly bring up Cassio until Othello caves
Cassio Quickly Leaves:
1) Iago makes this seem sus
Act Three: Scene 4
Des asks a Clown to tell Cassio that the plan is Working
Des Does not think Othello could ever be jealous
Des's FLAW: she is too giving
Othello takes Des's hand:
1) she is too giving to others
2) she needs to become secluded
Othello gets ANOTHER headache
Figurative Language
1) Old Black Ram--> Racist METAPHOR
2) Barbary Horse--> Racist METAPHOR for black bestial children
3) Brabantio's Dream--> FORESHADOWING
4) Janus--> ALLUSION and IRONY
5) Brab says Des is deceptive--> FORESHADOWS
6) Both Othello and Cassio are BLIND to Ia
Shakespearean Tragedy
Definition: a story of exceptional calamity, leading to the death of a man of high estate
1) Usually only one tragic hero (Love Tragedy is the exception)
2) Story depicts troubled part of a hero's life which precedes and leads up to his death
3) Tragic Di
Characteristics of a Shakespearean Tragedy
-leads up to/includes the death of the hero
-suffering and calamity are exceptional
1)unexpected
2)contrasted with previous happiness/glory
-catastrophe of monumental proportions
-calamities of tragedy proceed from ACTIONS
-tragic heroes are RESPONSIBLE f
Definition of a Tragic Hero
-potential for greatness but is doomed to fail
-trapped in a losing situation
-possesses a tragic FLAW that causes his fall from greatness
- despite being a fallen hero, still WINS A MORAL VICTORY, spirit lives on
Tragic Heroes are:
1) Born into Nobility
2) Exceptional Humans--> NOT ORDINARY
3) Responsible for their Own Fate
4) Tragic FLAW
5) Doomed to make a serious error in judgement
Eventually, all Tragic Heroes:
1) Fall from greatness
2) Realize their irreversible mistake
3) Face and Accept Death with HONOR
4) Meet a Tragic Death (usually Suicide)
Literary Devices
Drama-story written to be performed
ACT ONE: Exposition
ACT TWO: Rising Action
ACT THREE: Climax
Soliloquy: character speaks thoughts aloud, alone
Monologue: speech by one character to others
Aside: character to the audience/character
Dramatic Foil: quali
Facts about Othello
1) Venice was seen as a "free state", people were free from prosecution
2) Venice was exotic. corrupt, dangerous, as well as beautiful/cultured
3) Othello is a Muslim converted to Christianity
4) *Iago=MACHIAVELLIAN MORALITY character who practices evil f