| 7 Elements | Shakespeare Tragedy |
| Status Quo(Act 1) | Play begins as things have always been (Iago’s intentions) |
| Intro of Protagonist (Act 1) | (Othello) |
| Intro of Antagonist (Act 1) | (Iago) |
| New Force | something that sets the play in motion(War being won) |
| Elements of Rising Action(Acts 2 and 3) | … |
| Climax | Technical: Turning point;a decision made by a character that changes things forever (Always in Act 2>Iago’s decision to go forward with his plan )Dramatic: highest point of emotion (Usually Act 5> Othello learning the truth about the handkerchief ) |
| Denouement | Resolution > order is restored (Othello ‘ s death) |
| 4 Elements of a Tragic Hero | Shakespeare Tragedy |
| 1. Tragic Hero | Basically Good: has to be good or it would be justice not tragedy |
| 2. Tragic Hero | Superior in some way: usually rank |
| 3. Tragic Hero | Tragic Flaw: (Pride and Jealousy) |
| 4. Tragic Hero | Tragic Realization: (Othello realising Desdemona is innocent ) |
| Theme: Appearance vs reality | Iago talking to Cassio about Bianca while Othello believes they are talking about Desdemona |
| Theme: Light vs Dark | “Put out the light, and then put out the light” (V.ii.7) b/c the first light means the one he’s carrying, the second light is Desdemona ‘ s life |
| Theme: Order vs Chaos | Desdemona discussing the rift between Cassio and Othello and expresses her love for Cassio. Othello is angered and hits her and Desdemona thinks it’s because of the letter |
| Motif: Sight and Blindness | Iago wants Othello to observe instead of asking bc he will be able to make things appear different than they actually are |
| Motif: Jealousy | Othello and Iago’s jealousy lead to their downfalls |
| Symbol: Handkerchief | Iago placing it in Cassie’s room to make it look like Desdemona gave it to him |
| Symbol: Desdemona’s Song | Desdemona’s mother had a maid who loved a mam who went mad and had forsaken her; died singing this song > foreshadows a mad Othello and jealous Othello trying to kill her |
| Emilia and Desdemona as Foils | Desdemona is innocent and thinks Othello is pure and good while Emilia knows that men can be mean. Desdemona would never cheat on Othello; Emilia thinks women have the same needs as men. Desdemona obeys Othello because he’s her husband and a man; Emilia is vocal and will not allow her husband to tell her what to do |
| Dramatic Irony | Everyone believes that Iago is honest and trustworthy while in reality he is manipulating everyone |
| Cassio and Iago as Foils | Cassio cares about Othello; Iago hates him. Cassio is honest and trustworthy; Iago is dishonest and manipulative. Cassio treats woman w/ respect; Iago is sexist |
Othello: Analysis
August 25, 2019