c

Reading notes ± Applying lenses of literary criticism
Quote
What a full fortune does the
Thicklips owe
If he can carry¶t thus!
Even now, now, very now, an
old black ram
Is tupping your white ewe
Your daughter and the Moor
are now making the beast with
two backs.
Keep up your bright swords,
for the dew will rust them.
I will a round unvarnish¶d tale
deliver.
The robb¶d that smiles steals
something from the thief.
The food that to him now is as
luscious as locusts, shall be to
him shortly as bitter as
coloquintida.
My parts, my title, and my
perfect soul, shall manifest me
rightly
Act Formalist criticism Other critical response
Act 1, Roderigo clearly holds Othello¶s race Historical ± Shows the stereotype at the time
Scene 1, against him. of Moors and the disrespect shown
68-69 Uses the term ³thick lips´ as a metaphor
for black people
Act 1, Metaphor of a black ram (Othello) Historical ± again displays how blacks were
Scene 1, having sex with the innocent white ewe viewed amongst the general public. Othello
91-92 (desdemonda) was described as a ram that was taking
advantage of and violating an innocent girl
Act 1, Metaphor for having sex Mythological ± describes the attitude toward
Scene 1, sex before marriage, it wasn¶t accepted at
113 the time.
Act 1, Not literally the reason he wants them to Mythological ± Othello is breaking the
Scene 2, put their swords away, he wants to keep stereotype made by society by not being a
61 the peace blood thirsty savage
Act 1, Uses imagery to prove how truthful he Historical ± because he is a moor, he needs
Scene 3, will be to stress all the time that he is telling the
104 truth
Act 1, The statement is a paradox, the senator Gender ± Favors the woman¶s right to
Scene 3, is telling Brabanito to be happy with the choose any spouse
230 verdict even though he thinks his
daughter was stolen
Act 1, Metaphor comparing the situations to Gender ± The food is used as imagery to
Scene 3, food, foreshadows a ³bitter end´ show the sexuality of the situation
333
Act 1, Iago has an overinflated sense of Psychological ± Iago is a narcissist and
Scene 2, importance and rightfulness thinks that he is better than all around him
35
Ay, to me.
She is abused, stol'n from me,
and corrupted
By spells and medicines bought
of mountebanks
Did you by indirect and forcèd
courses
Subdue and poison this young
maid¶s affections?
I am not merry; but I do
beguile. The thing I am by
seeming otherwise. Come, how
wouldst thou praise me?
I have lost the immortal part of
myself²and what remains is
bestial.
Come,
My dear love
The purchase made, the fruits
are to ensue:
The profit's yet to come 'tween
me and you
Divinity of hell! When devils
will the blackest sins put on
They do suggest at first with
heavenly shows As I do now
Reputation is an idle and most
false imposition; oft got
without merit, and lost without
deserving.
Act 1, Metaphor of her daughter being a valued Mythological ± Brabanito still holds the
Scene 3, possession that was literally stolen from stereotype that moors use witchcraft and
65-67 him by a thief wizardry
Act 1, Again accusations of poison and foul Mythological ± Society is not ready to trust
Scene 5, play in the courting of his wife Moors, and still applies the stereotype. Even
114-115 the senators believe its possible for them to
do this
Act 2, Characterizes Desdemona by showing Gender ± While she tries to keep Iago from
Scene 1, how she looks out for Emilia, shows her being mean to Emilia, Desdemona is still
127-130 kindness and sympathy towards trying to find out what Iago thinks of her,
³abused´ wives possibly saying that women are too worried
about others¶ thoughts/material things
Act 2, Cassio considers his reputation to be Mythological ± Shows how much society
Scene 3, ³immortal´ and is upset that it is lost valued their reputation, especially after
225 death.
Act 2, Othello is referring to sex in a positive Gender ± Shows how Othello views his
Scene 3, manner, using words like profit and marriage in somewhat of a business
2 fruits to enjoy. mindset, thinking of the ³profits´ to be
gained from her
Act 2, Iago uses an aside to explain to the Historical- Iago describes the evil sins as
Scene 3, audience that despite his heavenly ³black´, a reference to the racist tendencies
350-353 appearance, he is truly evil of the time
Act 2 Ironic because Iago is convincing Mythological ± Shakespeare is trying to
Scene 3 Cassio that reputation is not important, convey the sense that people of this era were
226-227 but he later uses Othello¶s reputation vein and cared to much about reputation
worries against him
How poor are they that have
not patience!
What wound did ever heal but
by degrees
If after every tempest come
such calms,
May the winds blow till they
have waken'd death!
Come, lieutenant, I have a
stoup of wine, and here without
are a brace of Cyprus gallants
that would fain have a measure
to the health of black Othello
Notwithstanding, with my
personal eye
Will I look to¶t
Thou know¶st we work by wit
and not by witchcraft,
And wit depends on dilatory
time
Men should be what they seem;
Or those that be not, would
they might seem none
This honest creature doubtless
Sees and knows more, much
more than he unfolds.
Act 2 Metaphor Iago uses to compare Psychological ± Shows Iago to be
Scene 3 emotional pain to a physical injury, and completely incapable of showing any sort of
274-275 is yelling at Roderigo for complaining compassion towards others
Act 2 Othello is saying that he enjoys the Psychological ± Shows Othello¶s lack of
Scene 1 calmness after the ³storm´, violent war, foresight, he doesn¶t even consider that the
170-171 that he wishes a bigger storm would storm would be so bad that it wouldn¶t be
come so he could enjoy even more worth the calm
calmness
Act 2 Iago feels the need to refer to him as Historical ± It is not out of the ordinary of
Scene 3 ³black Othello´, displaying the use of Iago to be reminding everyone around him
22-23 race in his plan that Othello is different, black, and should
be referred to as such
Act 2 Cassio is telling Othello that Iago has Psychological ± Cassio is skeptical of Iago
Scene 3 specific orders to do something, but just and does not seem to fully trust him,
5-6 to make sure Cassio will follow up possibly signs of paranoia
Act 2 Iago is telling Roderigo that only Historical ± Iago references witchcraft in
Scene 3 medicine will heal wounds, or more order to mock Othello for being a moor,
357-360 literally only time and patience will fix because the stereotype was that they
the setbacks to their plan practiced crazy witchcraft
Act 3, Dramatic Irony because Iago is telling Gender ± Shakespeare is making a statement
Scene 3 this to warn Othello about Cassio, when about how deceptive men can be and
131-132 is fact this pertains more to Iago. questions whether one can trust any man of
power
Act 3, Dramatic Irony because Iago is making Historical ± Othello is fulfilling the
Scene 3 Othello believe he knows more about stereotype that moors are gullible
146-149 Cassio and Desdemona¶s affair, when
really what he knows is that it doesn¶t
exist
'Tis not a year or two shows us
a man.They are all but
stomachs, and we all but food.
To eat us hungerly, and when
they are full,They belch us
O, beware, my lord of jealousy;
It is the green-ey'd monster
which doth mock The meat it
feeds on.
O curse of marriage, That we
can call these delicate creatures
ours, And not their appetites! I
had rather be a toad, And live
upon the vapors of a dungeon,
Than keep a corner of the thing
I love For others' uses."
Trifles light as air Are to the
jealous confirmations strong As
proofs of holy writ.
But jealous souls will not be
answered so; They are not ever
jealous for the cause, But
jealous for they are jealous: 'tis
a monster Begot upon itself,
born on itself
She did deceive her father,
marrying you
And so she did.
Act 3, Emilia uses a metaphor comparing men Gender ± Emilia is showing her disgust
Scene 4 to stomachs and women to belched towards men with this metaphor
91-95 food.
Act 3, The green eyed monster is actually a Mythological ± Shakespeare is possibly
Scene 3 metaphor for jealousy saying that people of that time did not take
165-169 their own advice, because Iago was also
jealous of many other characters throughout
the play
Act 3, Shows Othello¶s insecurities because he Gender- Othello has very little trust in
Scene 4 has already decided Des is cheating Desdemona, and even though he has no
272-277 without proof. He is also more worried valid proof, he has convinced himself that
about how the other guy feels than he most women are cheaters so it must be true
should be
Act 3 Two different similes: Iago compares Mythological- Shakespeare is showing his
Scene 3 trifles to airand to ³proofs of holy writ´ understanding of human nature by showing
332-334 how easy it is to make a ³fool´ jealous.
Act 3, Emiliacompares jealousy to a monster in Mythological ± jealousy is created by itself,
Scene 4 order to demonstrate how it is born from and therefore it causes all subsequent events
159-162 nothing in the lives of people
Act 3 Iago is capitalizing on Othello¶s Gender ± Othello is characterized as sexist
Scene 3 insecurities about his wife, creating a by his response in that he assumes because
18 rift Des left her father, a man, she will also
become unfaithful and leave him, also a
man
What sense had I of her stol'n
hours of lust?
I saw't not, thought it not, it
harm'd not me:
I slept the next night well, was
free and merry;
I found not Cassio's kisses on
her lips:
He that is robb'd, not wanting
what is stol'n,
Let him not know't, and he's
not robb'd at all.
My name, that was as fresh
As Dian's visage, is now
begrimed and black
As mine own face.
I have not deserved this.
O devil, devil!
If that the earth could teem
with woman's tears
Each drop she falls would
prove a crocodile.
Out of my sight!
I will not stay to offend you.
Act 3 Othello is referring to Des as an object, Gender- This is the second time that a man
Scene 3 saying that he stole her first and now she is referring to a woman, the same woman, as
48 is being robbed from him a piece of property. First Brabantino says
that Des is stolen from him by Othello, and
now Othello is worried about Cassio
robbing Des from him
Act 3 Othello is saying that his once good Historical ± Now Othello is actually seen
Scene 3 reputation is being ruined by the actions perpetuating his own negative stereotype,
54 of his wife, slightly sexist idea saying that his once proud reputation is now
³black´ like his ³own face´, in other words
his reputation is equivalent with what it
should be based on the discrimination
Act 4 First, Des tries to defend herself against Historical ± The reader is seeing the
Scene 1 Othello¶s rage, but after being verbally stereotype come out in different ways than
273-276 abused we now see her character change jealousy, now seen in Othello¶s rage and
into an accepting, abused wife harsh words
I will chop her into
messes«cuckold me!
'tis the strumpet's plague
To beguile many, and be
beguil'd by one.
A horned man¶s a monster and a
beast.
O thou weed
Who art so lovely fair, and
smell¶st so sweet,
That the sense aches at thee,
would thou hadst never been born
Upon my knee, what doth your
speech import?
I understand a fury in your words
But not the words
Her honor is an essence that¶s not
seen,
They have it very oft that have it
not.
But for the handkerchief
Mine eyes do itch,
Doth that bode weeping?
Nor I neither, by this heavenly
light.
I might do ¶t as well i' th' dark.
Act 4 Othello believes he has been made into Historical ± Again, Othello exhibits rage
Scene 1 a cuckhold, a man whose wife is towards Des and is blaming her for his poor
189-198 cheating on him reputation, perpetuating his own stereotype
Act 4 Iago has tricked Othello into thinking Gender ± Iago talks down about Bianca and
Scene 1 that Cassio is talking about his affair doesn¶t seem effected by her pain because
95-96 with Des, when actually hes talking she cannot be with Cassio, the one man she
about Bianca actually likes
Act 4 Othello uses a metaphor for himself being a Historical ± People at the time looked down on
Scene 1 beast because he feels like he is not truly a men whose wives cheated on them, it was said
42 man if he can¶t keep his wife interested in that those men grew horns on their head
him as he should
Act 4 Othello is comparing Des to a weed, but he Psychological ± Despite what he thinks he
Scene 2 says even though he knows she is a weed, knows about Des, Othello is still in love with
69-71 he is still in love with her like she is a her and apparently nothing can change that. This
beautiful flower could mirror the unrelenting obsessions
Shakespeare may have had
Act 4 Des is telling Othello that she clearly Gender ± Des, the woman, is begging and
Scene 2 understands that he is mad, but still doesn¶t pleading to work out the problem in their
33-35 understand why. Othello simply believes marriage while Othello, the man, is actually the
that she is lying about not knowing and one who is at fault. Shows self-destructiveness
furthers his anger of men and forgiveness in women.
Act 4 Again Iago refers back to reputation saying Historical ± Othello also looks to reputation, but
Scene 1 that you cannot rely on reputation because it for him he is looking for a form of comfort. He
16-17 can¶t be seen, but the handkerchief is real wants to be reassured by Des¶ reputation, just as
proof. people did at the time
Act 4 Foreshadowing tragic events to occur in Gender ± Des asks Emilia if her itchy eyes mean
Scene 3 Des¶ future she¶ll be crying soon and Emilia tries to comfort
43 her by saying no. This shows the relationship
between women in that even though Emilia has
inadvertently assisted Iago, she still cares for
Des.
Act 4 Emilia admits to Des that while she Gender ± Emilia is an independent and is
Scene 3 wouldn¶t cheat on Iago in the daytime for responding to Iago¶s mistreatment with the
52-53 all to see, she would at night if no one knew possibility of cheating
But I do think it is their husbands'
faults
If wives do fall.
Speak of me as I am; nothing
extenuate,
Nor ... set down aught in malice:
then must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but
too well;
Of one not easily jealous, but
being wrought
Perplex'd in the extreme
Yet I'll not shed her blood;
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers
than snow,
And smooth as monumental
alabaster.
Yet she must die, else she'll betray
more men.
She's, like a liar, gone to burning
hell:
'Twas I that kill'd her.
O, the more angel she,
And you the blacker devil!
Like the base Indian, threw a pearl
away
Richer than all his tribe; of one
whose subdued eyes,
Behold, I have a weapon;
A better never did itself sustain
Upon a soldier's thigh: (5.2.55)
Act 4 Ironically, Emilia is speaking the truth in Gender ± Emilia is now reversing her role as an
Scene 3 Des¶ case without even knowing it. It is in obedient housewife and is speaking out against
62-63 fact Othello¶s fault that all this drama is the wrongs men have done
going down
Act 5 Although the reader does not fully Historical ± Othello asks that everyone
Scene 2 understand yet, this is Othello¶s dying wish remember him as just confused and deceived
341-345 and once again he is worried about his rather than jealous. He doesn¶t want to continue
reputation, even after death to perpetuate the moor stereotype
Act 5 Othello is about to kill his wife, but Historical ± Even as Othello is about to kill his
Scene 2 hesitates because he doesn¶t want to harm wife, he is still fixated on her race and has
1-7 her innocent white skin. This foreshadows trouble harming what he considers to be sacred-
Othello¶s later realization of her true white people
innocence
Act 5 Multiple metaphors: Othello compares Des Historical ± Emilia calls Othello a blacker devil,
Scene 2 to a devil, but Emilia responds by saying that he is fulfilling his own stereotype of
36-38 comparing Othello to the devil and Des to being violent by killing Des
an angel
Act 5 Metaphor: Othello is comparing himself to Historical ± Shakespeare shows how races are
Scene 2 an Indian who found a valuable gem but grouped by whites during this time. He is saying
73-74 threw it away not knowing its worth. Des is that Native Americans and Blacks were looked
the gem in the metaphor at as being both uncivilized and stupid
Act 5 Othello is referring in some way to sex, Historical ± Again the stereotype of the moor
Scene 2 saying he has a ³weapon´ that is on a resurfaces as we see Othello having vague
55 ³soldier¶s thigh´ all the while standing over thoughts of sex after murdering his wife
his (dead) wife lying on their bed
O, who hath done this deed? Act 5 Des is blaming herself for the abuse that Gender ± Des is showing typical behavior of an
Nobody; I myself. Farewell Scene 2 Othello committed when in fact she didn¶t abused woman, saying that it was her fault and
Commend me to my kind lord: O, 29-32 do anything wrong in the first place that Othello is not to blame
farewell!

Demand me nothing: what you Act 5 This is the last time that Iago speaks during Psychological ± Not in line with typical
know, you know: Scene 2 the play, he vows silence and refuses to psychotic behavior, Iago refuses to brag about
From this time forth I never will 316-317 explain to the audience and the characters his misdeeds. Normally one would feel
speak word. why did all of this in the first place compelled to shock everyone with his horrible
actions
I told him what I thought, and told Act 5 Iago is actually attempting to show his Psychological ± It seems Iago is actually trying
no more Scene 2 innocence by saying that he didn¶t to convince himself that he wasn¶t as evil as he
Than what he found himself was 188-189 intentionally mislead Othello, but merely actually was, showing his delusional side
apt and true shared his thoughts and let Othello draw his
own conclusions
Had she been true, Act 5 Othello professes that if Des were faithful, Historical ± This is one of multiple references to
If heaven would make me such Scene 2 then she was the most important thing in the gems Shakespeare uses in order to convey a
another world 144-147 world to him, making his later realization sense of great value. Symbol: gems = value.
Of one entire and perfect even more tragic
chrysolite
I¶d not have sold her for it
5.2.144-7

I kissed thee ere I killed thee. No Act 5 Othello is attempting to show his regret and Historical ± This is actually a biblical reference
way but this, Scene 2 apologies to Des, despite her being dead, by to Judas kissing Jesus before his murder, and
Killing myself, to die upon a kiss. 375-376 kissing her one last time to reverse the then showing regret by hanging himself,
misdeed however in Othello¶s case he stabbed himself.