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Themes - Coggle Diagram
Themes
Distance and proximity
Othello is hidden when listening to Cassio, results in a misinterpretation
Iago hides at the start of the play, puts all the voice on Roderigo
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Emilia and Desdemona have female solidarity at the end, unleashes secrets/ the plot
Cassio's relationship with Desdemona is deemed as close, resulting in Othello's jealously to grow
tragedy emerges when emotional intimacy collapses, Othello and Desdemona are physically close but not emotionally
Othello and Iago are close, the epithet of 'honest Iago' allows him into seeing his thoughts
There is a constant gap between what characters seem to be and what they truly are.
Iago appears loyal but is deceitful; Desdemona appears unfaithful to Othello despite being innocent.
The move from Venice to Cyprus isolates the characters from the structure and order of Venetian society.
Venice represents order and civilisation, Cyprus is more chaotic and militaristic- as the setting shifts, Othello's behaviour becomes less controlled
private relationships are heavily shaped by public perception.
Othello fears public humiliation through Desdemona’s supposed infidelity. (when he slaps her)
Truth and deception
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Iago's final line, doesn't reveal his motives, the story is left untold
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Venice= lots of political corruption, a setting of deception
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"Honest Iago"- ability to form relationships through different facades- reputation can hide corruption
Emilia revealing the truth leads to her death- women are forced to hide the truth- "I will play the swan and die in music"
Characters are not what they seem, Iago appears honest but is not, Desdemona appears unfaithful but is not, Emilia goes against societal standards
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Jealously
"I had rather be a toad / And live upon the vapor of a dungeon / Than keep a corner in the thing I love / For others' uses"
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Iago jealous of Cassio, "arithmetician"
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Once jealously is planted, it grows rapid and uncontrollably, its strong enough to transform identity
Iago uses ambiguity, suggestion and 'honest' reputation to make his lies believable, jealously doesn't need prove, it thrives on uncertainty
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Jealously is tied to reputation, societal expectations intensifies his reaction, from speaking poetically to fragmented
Jealously lowers standards of reasoning, Othello wanted proof but then happily went with using the handkerchief as an answer
Love
Othello and Desdemona's love is immediate, rushed, no plan, foreshadows conflict
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Desdemona falls in love with Othello through his stories and adventures. Their love is rooted in narrative and imagination.
This makes it easier for Iago to alter this story
Othello starts to see Desdemona as something to be lost, therefore love is tied to control and dominance.
Othello's love isn't fixed, it can be dismantled, seen through Iago
"When I love thee not, Chaos come again"
Handkerchief is the symbol of Love, and then is used for deception
Race
Royal Shakespeare version, Iago is black, it takes away the racism and bases it more on class
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Othello is accepted in his military role, the Duke being his supporter, however, Othello is arguably never accepted into society. Status does not erase racism
Othello starts to internalise the racist comments, his breakdown starts by accepting society's negative comments (talks about what Brabantio said)
Racism intensifies Othello's jealously, makes it more likely that Desdemona may go for someone white like Cassio
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"An old black ram is tupping your white ewe"
"Covered by a babary horse"
"Thou hast enchanted her"
"The beast with two backs"
Marriage
Traps women, social expectation to stay loyal to your husband
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It is inevitable that Othello will bring conflict to his marriage, he is rooted in his position as a soldier fighting