MAJOR THEMES IN OTHELLO

Patriarchal society
A patriarchal society was still very much prevalent in dictating the place of women in society, as well as ostracising those
of a lower status.
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Male ownership of female

o Metaphor, foul/informal speech, listing. Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags! Thieves,
thieves! - Iago
o Metaphor. foul thief! Where has thou stowed my daughter? - Brabantio
Inherent racism
o Bestial, devil and blood imagery. thick-lips, an old black ram - Iago
Importance of a good reputation/status
o Repetition and exclamation. Reputation, reputation, reputation! I have lost the immortal part of
myself. - Cassio

Complexity of character
Importance of falsities of appearance juxtaposed with truth and reality. The play is
- Iago
o Asides, soliloquys and dramatic irony. Appearances vs. reality.
o honest, As I am an honest man, Iago
o my friend honest, honest Iago Othello
o Relies on darkness and shadows to conceal his identity
o Effortlessly switches between prose and verse.
- Othello
o The eventual breakdown of Othello as the play progresses shows Shakespeares manipulation of form of
speech, as well as entire structure of the play in order to indicate of Othellos different state of sanity
o Controlled verse. My parts, my title, and my perfect soul / Shall manifest me rightly
o Uncontrolled prose alluding to degradation of the human psyche, reflecting Iagos foul speech and dirty
puns thus prose also alludes to disguise. Lie with her? Lie on her? We say lie on her when they belie her.
Hazardous nature of love and human emotion
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Desdemona
o Juxtaposition where her intelligence and character contributes much of the complexities in their
relationship, whereas the unstable nature of Othellos character is what leads to their downfall.
o Jewel/sea symbolism and imagery The riches of the sea is come on shore!
o Song Willow is significant in portraying innocence and femininity. Also foreshadows death, her salt
tears fell from her, and softened the stones continuing sea metaphor and portraying imge of erosion and
wearing away.
Othello
o Return of Othellos controlled verse, speak of me as I am of one that loved not wisely, but too well
indicates that this dignity is an inherent part of his nature, merely disguised and disillusioned by Iagos
lies and Othellos extreme passion.
o Spectacle of sexual jealous rising to extreme passion and thus Othello creates chaos and liberates the
beast within him.
o Othello is a character of extremities, he is only capable of extreme love, extreme passion, extreme anger,
extreme jealousy.