Othello keeps up his strong, quiet dignity in contrast to Iago's flurry of manipulations. Iago also uses quotes such as The Moor is of free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by the nose as asses are. Cassio fights Montano, and gravely wounds him. Hence, Iago is again able to successfully misrepresent himself; this time, he pretends that he is there merely to settle the quarrel, when he is the engineer of the whole affair. On the other hand, Othello is also to blame as Iago had only set forth accusations and opinions yet Othello himself decided to follow them. . Both Emilia and the class will have to state their reasons for handing over the handkerchief or not. He plays on Roderigo's anger and Cassio's low tolerance of alcohol. Iago's perception of women as deceptive, dominating, and lusty colors the way he portrays both Emilia and Desdemona; both are good women, Desdemona exceedingly so, yet he is able to convince other men that they are anything but what they are. A messenger enters, and confirms that the Turkish fleet was broken apart by the storm, and that Cassio has arrived, though Othello is still at sea. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Every teacher of literature should use these translations. William Shakespeares Othello uses different and unique techniques in his language to express the nature of evil throughout the play. His use of the terms "purchase" and "profit" make it seem like Othello is trying to make his diction suitable for the crowd listening to him, and his tone is also less personal and more declarative. Rewrite the word correctly in the blank. Iago is painting himself as a spider. What you know, you know. A messenger arrives with news that the Turkish fleet has been so damaged by the storm that it no longer threatens Cyprus. Emilia 5. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. The speed with which Othello is transformed from respected general to reviled outsider reveals the strength of prejudices more or less repressed by other characters throughout the majority of the play. The . Before introducing this activity, download and copy the worksheet. Encouraging patience, Iago subtly reinforces the parallel between his plots and drama in general: both need time to come to their climaxes. Iago uses his deft and astute strategic acts of manipulation to undermine each characters weaknesses. Students looking for free, top-notch essay and term paper samples on various topics. If Iago is able to manipulate language to get others to do what he wants, Othello is manipulated by language. Chicago's Shakespeare Theatre essay, "1604 and All That,"along withWashington DC's Shakespeare Theatre Company'sA Cultural Context for Othello,and the Folger Shakespeare Library's "American Moor,"provide insights into what it meant to be a moor in Shakespeare's time. Iago continues to orchestrate complicated sets of doubling-crossings in order to promote the illusions that will help him with his plan. Cassio is a fly and Iago is gonna manipulate and "trap" him. Explain the purpose of the . Although Othello and Desdemona's reunion is joyful and passionate, the language of the scene hints at other emotions in Othello. Tension lies in whether or not Cassio and Othello will come to know as much as the audience does about Iago's deviance. Cassio mourns the demise of his "reputation" above all else. However, this is not the only place where it is seen that Iago uses negativity. All should be joyful, and Othello is celebrating the happiness of his recent marriage. Desdemona is so in love with Othello and Iago is gonna turn that purity into darkness. (including. Iago's omnipresence is vital to his success; only when present in a scene is he able to manipulate the characters and, more importantly, interpret the scenes for the benefit of those witnessing the events. They all died in the stormed. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE. EDSITEment's "A Teacher's Guide for Shakespeare", EDSITEment is a project of theNational Endowment for the Humanities, Folger Shakespeare Library digital text for, Chicago's Shakespeare Theatre essay, "1604 and All That, Folger Shakespeare Library's "American Moor,", Lexicons of Early Modern EnglishDatabase(, Lexicons of Early Modern English Database (, Gilchrist, K. J. Approximations: Iago as a Plautine leno, Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: Leadership and a Global Stage, "Not of an age, but for all time": Teaching Shakespeare, Iago's mastery of rhetoric: So they can more fully appreciate Iago's rhetorical skill, students should be introduced to (or reminded about) rhetoric and rhetorical devices before jumping immediately into the play. The tragedy in literary tradition normally revolves around a consequence or Achilles heel in which the character is exploited through a tragic flaw or inability to cope with unfavourable circumstances. Throughout this act Iago is fully aware of his actions, the fact that his selfishness is to such a great extent that through his trickery he manages to cause grief and pain to those who are closest and dearest to him, yet he strives on caring for none but himself and only those who are yet to join his plot. The setting changed from normal to stormy weather. Iago's perception of women as deceptive, dominating, and lusty colors the way he portrays both Emilia and Desdemona; both are good women, Desdemona exceedingly so, yet he is able to convince other men that they are anything but what they are. The banter between Iago and Desdemona creates a nervous, uncomfortable atmosphere, in part because their levity is inappropriate, given that Othello's ship remains missing. In his soliloquies at the end of Act 1, Scene 3 and Act 2, Scene 1, Iago uses a few types of figurative language to express his thoughts, his devious plan, and the reasons behind his devious plan . That these two things happen almost simultaneously heightens the play's tragedy. Students of all ages and in every subject area will find it indispensable. In other words, Iago 2, the truth-teller, reveals what really lies behind Iago 1's blandishments. Iago is a man with an obsession for control and power over others who has let this obsession take over his whole life. "Reputation is a most idle and false imposition," Iago says; but this statement is a false consolation (II.iii.268-269). For example, one group should have Iago, another Othello, another Cassio, and still another Desdemona. Iago understands that liquor can separate even the best man from himself, and do great damage to his reputation, as "His vice tis to his virtue an equinox, one as long as th' other" (II.iii.123-124). The Moor, a common name to disregard Othello, rose through the ranks in the Venetian army only to be de-ranked by the evil Iago. Iago then later describes this in his soliloquy as divinity of hell, as this is devilish acts being carries out. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. He's paranoid Emilia has slept with O and C too! Don't use plagiarized sources. J. N. Smith. "I will turn her virtue into pitch," he says of Desdemona, hearkening back to the light/dark imagery earlier in the act. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Every teacher of literature should use these translations. Also notice that Othello and Desdemona did not have sex until they were married, in contrast to the graphic imaginations that the other characters have indulged in. In the order of their appearance, list the characters who arrive from Venice in Scene 1. Othello considers all of his men in Cyprus to be friends, since they are allies; this is another example of Othello's confusion between the worldly and the personal spheres. I also think another way to interpret the play is discrimination; the fact Iagos character refers to Othello with terms such as The Moor a downgrading term towards minorities, this means that Iagos character is racist and the fact that Black individuals were hardly ever seen across Venice, means that Iago dislikes his nature and thus formed a ruse to dispose of him. How does Shakespeare reveal Iago's villainy throughout 'Othello'? As the enraged and drunken Cassio attempts to attack Roderigo, Montano steps in to stop him. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Iago uses the same type appeal to pride in lines 355-357 when he says that it would be better to die by hanging with her rather than to die by drowning without her. Shakespeare shifts the action from Venice to Cyprus. Responses will vary. Unfortunately, Roderigo's decision in giving Iago another chance is one chance too many and ends in Roderigo's death. Fordefinitions of "Moor" contemporary with Shakespeare, go first to the, Lastly, students should be introduced to the Roman god. Iago, however, counsels him to approach Desdemona for help. (II.iii.122). More books than SparkNotes. In short, Othello is an "other," and the fact that he is a Moor surrounded by Italians and Cypriots only emphasizes his difference. Use the worksheet 3, in class for student groups. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. This statement appeals to Roderigos sense of pride in his character. Unable to manipulate Cassio only with words, Iago progresses toward more directly bodily means: alcohol. Othello is the main culprit, and thus the plot was focused on Othellos downfall, but also Roderigo as he too had feelings for Desdemona. Dramatic irony is when the audience is filled in what has happened or what is about to happen whilst other characters remain unaware. The characters that comment on the storm are mariners, alluding to Ursa Minor and stars used for navigation; this is a testament to Shakespeare's ability to craft credible dialogue for a great diversity and range of characters. A soliloquy is when one of the characters in the play is alone on stage and speaks to himself or herself without revealing his thoughts directly to a listener, at this moment, the character will give his true opinions as if he or she were thinking out loud. Cassio, like Othello, takes people at face value. The diverse set of activities below include short group performances, writing exercises, and the guided use of online dictionaries and concordances to study Shakespeare's language. "With as little a web as this will I ensnare a great fly as Cassio" (Scene 1, lines 166-167) What does this quote mean? Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. Bhaskar Singh Bora . Job description. He speaks of Desdemona as being "sport for Jove," and "full of game" (II.iii.17-19); his depiction of Desdemona rings false, as does his attempt to insinuate lust into Cassio's mind. Iago had been using Roderigo for his money and none of the gifts and jewels Roderigo gave Iago to give to Desdemona actually reached her. Storms are always of great significance in Shakespeare; here, the storm is a symbol of unrest and the discord to come. I think the opening scene is meant to introduce the cunning and deceitful Iago. Midterm Exam-2 Guide; ISO 9001 2015 Checklist; STI Chart SP2019; . Students love them!, Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. Meanwhile, despite Iago's demands that she obey him and be quiet. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. 4165) for what he says about himself and how he describes himself. 1. Analyze dialogue for what is and is not stated to determine motive, meaning, and characteristics of the players. He knows exactly what to say and when to say it to incite jealousy within anyone he wishes. 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