RESPOND TO EACH OF THE FOLLOWING IS AT RESPOND TO EACH OF THE FOLLOWING IS AT LEAST A PARAGRAPH OR TWO…LEAST A PARAGRAPH OR TWO…

1. How can obsessions with work, school, other friends or other priorities ruin a relationship?

2. What can happen when people are isolated from friends, family or loved ones for a long time?

3. Are there people that “see” the real you or a particular side of you that no one else does?

4. Do you believe that “love conquers all”?

First performed by the King’s Men at the court of King James I on November 1, 1604

Set during the wars between Venice and Turkey that raged in the latter part of the 16th century

W.S. borrowed the story of Othello from an Italian tale written in 1565 by Giovanni Battista.

The basic premise of the play is that of Othello, the Moorish general of the Turks, is worried that his wife is being unfaithful. The story then turns to a conflict between black and white (racism).

HISTORY OF THE HISTORY OF THE PLAY…PLAY…

The wars between the Turks and Venice in the 16th Century The play starts in Venice and moves to Cyprus when the Turks invade. Venice is a prosperous Italian city and a symbol of law and civilization. The majority of the people in the city are white, which makes Othello, who is a black Moor, stand out. Eventually, the setting shifts to the island of Cyprus, where the characters are at a military camp.

SETTING OF THE SETTING OF THE PLAY…PLAY…

Shakespeare’s play are timeless, universal and applicable to all times, all people, all races, ages and generations.

He had a terrible pessimism, however, pessimism is reality—everyone endures tragedy. His greatest characters are his tragic characters.

People are bound by pain, when a person can share the experience of an emotion, they are bonded.

He chooses emotions that almost all people experience and explain how they can destroy a person if they aren’t recognized and dealt with.

SHAKESPEARE’S GENIUS – WHY IS HE SO GOOD?

The Incompatibility The Incompatibility of Military Heroism of Military Heroism & Love& Love: : AKA, you can’t be a military hero and a good husband at the same time. Othello is first and foremost, a soldier. He does, however, truly love his wife (Desdemona). However, the play shows that no one can have the best of both worlds.

THEMESTHEMES

The Danger of IsolationThe Danger of Isolation: : When the characters move from the city of Venice to the island of Cyprus, they are isolated from society. This is when the characters turn on each other and all hell breaks loose. Also, Othello is isolated from the other characters because of his race, being the only black man makes him seem more secluded.

THEMESTHEMES

Sight & Blindness: Works both figuratively and literally. Figuratively, Desdemona is the only one who can “see” the real Othello. Othello does not typically believe anything he cannot physically see.

MOTIFSMOTIFS

Plants: Iago is preoccupied with plants and uses a lot of references to plats both literally and metaphorically. Many of these references are to poison; and as the villain of the play, they tell us that he is literally poisonous to those around him.

MOTIFSMOTIFS

AnimalsAnimals: : Both Iago and Othello reference animals in metaphorical senses. Iago’s are typically demeaning to the people he’s talking about.

Hell, Demons & MonstersHell, Demons & Monsters: : Jealousy is a HUGE part of the play. The characters often refer to jealousy and each other as being monstrous, demonic or evil.

MOTIFSMOTIFS

The HandkerchiefThe Handkerchief: : Means different things to different characters. Desdemona sees it as a symbol of Othello’s love, Othello sees it as a symbol of faithfulness and virginity and Iago sees it as a means to manipulate them both.

SYMBOLSSYMBOLS

The Song “WillowThe Song “Willow”: ”: The lyrics suggest that men and women are unfaithful to one another. To Desdemona, the song seems to represent a sad acceptance that she misses Othello’s affections, and singing it leads her to question Emilia about the nature and practice of faithfulness.

OthelloOthello: : The protagonist and hero. A Christian Moor and general of the armies of Venice, Othello is an well-spoken and strong, respected by all those around him. Insecure because of his age, his life as a soldier, and his race.

DesdemonaDesdemona: : Daughter of the Venetian senator Brabanzio. Desdemona and Othello are secretly married before the play begins.

MAIN MAIN CHARACTERSCHARACTERS

IagoIago: : Othello’s “right-hand man”, and the villain of the play. Iago is twenty-eight years old. Is angry because Othello was named general ahead of him and is determined to see him completely destroyed in every way.

CassioCassio:: Othello’s lieutenant. Cassio is young and inexperienced and since his position is higher, he’s resented by Iago. Devoted to Othello, he’s ashamed after getting in a drunken brawl on Cyprus and losing his place as lieutenant. Iago uses Cassio to play on Othello’s jealousy over Desdemona.

EmiliaEmilia: : Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant. A cynical woman, she cares about her mistress and is distrustful of her husband.

RoderigoRoderigo: : Wanted to marry Desdemona. He is convinced that if he gives Iago all of his money, Iago will help him get Desdemona.

MAIN MAIN CHARACTERSCHARACTERS

Think about it…how much are the following subjects part of our daily lives, the news or real life:Race Race – Either prejudice, or someone feeling uncomfortable or unwelcome because of their race or culture.JealousyJealousy – Between friends, girlfriend/boyfriend, husband/wife, between enemies, etc. and what it can do to a person/couple.EnvyEnvy – Wanting to be like someone or have something someone else has so badly you would do anything to get it.UncertaintyUncertainty – Wondering what someone’s true intentions are with you; if they are being a sincere friend, or stabbing you in the back.

WHY IS THIS PLAY WHY IS THIS PLAY RELEVANT?RELEVANT?

1. Iamb - Metrical foot consisting of one short and one long syllable

2. Monologue - Dramatic sketch performed by one actor

3. Pentameter - A line of verse consisting of 5 metrical feet

4. Infinite - Extending indefinitely

5. Aristocratic - Belonging to Aristocracy; wealthy class

6. Sonnet - Poem of 14 lines in iambic pentameter

7. Revenge - An act of retaliating in order to get even

8. Outrageous - Exceeding the limits of what is usual

9. Soliloquy - Dramatic sketch where an actor talks to themselves

10. Conscience - The sense of moral goodness or blameworthiness of one’s own conduct

11. Passionate - Easily aroused by anger (intense feeling)

12. Scorn - Open dislike or disrespect

13. Infatuation - Extravagant love or admiration (obsession)

ACT I VOCABULARY

1. Nuptial - Relating to marriage (vows)2. Wane - To decrease in size (fade)3. Feign - To give false appearance (to

pretend/fake)4. Dote - To show affection5. Beseech - To Beg6. Tyrant - A Ruler who expresses absolute power7. Lament - To show sorrow8. Wrath - Strong, vengeful anger9. Progeny - Outcome product (offspring)10.Mortal - Human Being; Can be killed

ACT II VOCABULARY

1. Alabaster - A compact fine-textured usually white and translucent gypsum often carved into vases and ornaments

2. Bauble - A Trinket-A small ornament/thing of value3. Bestial - Lacking Intelligence or reason-resembling a

beast4. Citadel - A fortress that commands a city5. Haggard - Wild in appearance6. Votarist – A devoted admirer7. Restitution – An act of restoring or a condition of being

restored8. Abhor – To Loath (hate)9. Vexation – The act of harassing10.Incense - Material used to create a fragrant odor when

burned

ACT III VOCABULARY

1. Prattle – To make meaningless sounds2. Lascivious – Lustful 3. Visage – Facial Countenance (Outward

appearance)4. Pestilence – to annoy5. Tempest – A violent storm6. Cuckold – A man whose wife is unfaithful7. Alacrity – A quick response8. Dilatory – to cause delay9. Discretion - To be discrete10.Infirmity - Sickness; Affliction

ACT IV VOCABULARY

1. Agile - The ability to move quickly2. Frailty - To be weak3. Candid - Sincere honesty; to be blunt4. Amiable - Friendly; Likable5. Cynical - Sarcasm; sarcastic attitude6. Fulsome - Excess to the point of disgust7. Discord - Lack of agreement; tension8. Choler - Yellow in color9. Bombastic - Using inflated language10.Circumspect – Cautious11.Discern - To differentiate between 2 things12.Garner - To gather together; to store up13.Boisterous - Rowdy, rough and stormy14.Carnal - Marked by frank sexuality15.Epithet - A term or phrase describing or characterizing

something or someone

ACT V VOCABULARY