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Shakespeare’s “Othello” (1564-1616)

Shakespeare’s “Othello” (1564-1616). Actor and playwright Formed his own theatrical company Built the Globe Theatre Stockholder Greatest plays produced here Burned in 1613 During performance of Henry 8th - cannon went off. Shakespeare.

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Shakespeare’s “Othello” (1564-1616)

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  1. Shakespeare’s“Othello”(1564-1616)

  2. Actor and playwright Formed his own theatrical company Built the Globe Theatre Stockholder Greatest plays produced here Burned in 1613 During performance of Henry 8th - cannon went off Shakespeare

  3. Enclosed space with partial roof Seated as many as 2500 3 galleries of seats around 3 sides Platform stage extending from rear wall Groundlings Intimate atmosphere Globe Theatre

  4. The Old Globe Theatre replica, which opened in Balboa Park, Sandiego, 1935 http://www.sandiegohistory.org/timeline/timeline3.htm

  5. Trapdoors Inner stage Upper stage Simple scenery Elaborate costumes Female roles by males Elaborate sound effects Conventions of Elizabethan Drama

  6. Shakespeare’s Greatness • Deep understanding of human nature • Knowledge in a wide variety of subjects • Influence on language • Freely experimented with grammar, vocabulary • Created words: click this link to see some • http://shakespeare.about.com/library/weekly/aa042400a.htm • Originated phrases

  7. A Note on Reading Shakespeare • Keep track of characters from list • Poetic language - read slowly & carefully • Pay attention to the annotations • Listen to recording; read summary; view a video

  8. Othello, the Moor of Venice http://www.tumblebooks.com/talkingbooks/full_book.asp?ProductID=831 (page 1263)

  9. Plot: Identify which conflicts occur in the play and where. • Person vs. person • Person vs. self • Person vs. environment • Person vs. God

  10. Plot: Identify movement • Exposition • Complication • Climax • Denouement

  11. Setting: Venice and Cyprus • Is the setting natural or artificial? • Is it hostile or friendly? • Is it limited to one place? • Shakespeare clearly breaks with Aristotle’s classical unities in this play: one plot, one location, over 24-hours.

  12. Time of Play • Othello elopes with Desdemona; same night takes ship for Cyprus • Cassio is disgraced 1st night after arrival in Cyprus • Desdemona is killed 2nd night in Cyprus • The play spans 3 days, two locations, and has multiple plots.

  13. Antagonist = Iago Protagonist = Othello Characterization

  14. Ambitious Envious of Cassio’s promotionSexually jealous of Othello and Cassio Greedy Deceitful Lustful Characterization:Iago Laurence Olivier as Iagowww.peopleplayuk.org.uk

  15. Iago • Intelligent • Cunning • Capable of tempting and controlling characters around him • Villain without conscience • Diabolically evil while appearing to be honest, trustworthy

  16. Reduces human nature to its least attractive traits Coarse, blunt Suspicious view of human nature - allows him to locate weakness in others and encourage its dominance of whole personality Iago

  17. Iago’s Techniques for Deception • Instigates others to act • Pretends to speak only out of the best motives • Works through insinuation rather than through explicit lies

  18. Othello • Greatness • Tragic hero • Virtues carried to excess • Loves - “too well” • Trusts - too much • Great sense of moral virtue - punishes sin • Sensitive nature - vivid fantasies

  19. Othello • “Free and open nature” • “Constant, loving, noble nature” • Energetic • Desire for perfection • Trusting

  20. Othello’s Insecurities • HIS BLACKNESS • A Moor (North Africa) • Negative stereotyping by other characters • Lascivious • Unnatural mate for white woman • Practitioner of black magic

  21. Othello’s Insecurities • HIS LACK OF SOPHISTICATION • Not a native of Venice • At home on battlefield, not in sophisticated Venetian society • Lacks self-confidence • Trusts Iago’s view

  22. Othello’s Insecurities • HIS AGE • Older than Desdemona • Iago plays on this insecurity

  23. Desdemona • Admirable • Self-contained • Speaks forcefully and to the point when she confronts her father • Speaks playfully with Iago while waiting for Othello’s ship

  24. Is known for her innocence, purity Can plead for Cassio - but not for herself Dutiful, obedient Can be regarded as model Elizabethan wife Desdemona

  25. All the characters believe in Iago’s honesty. Othello believes in Desdemona’s guilt. Symbol: dramatic irony

  26. Emilia is confidante to Desdemona Iago is confidant to Roderigo Confidant(e) - serves a major character as a friend

  27. Emilia and Bianca are foils to Desdemona Cassio and Iago are foils to Othello Foil - illuminates a more important character

  28. Theme • Human nature is easily manipulated. Jealousy is like a disease. Humans can have a terribly dark and cunning side.

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