Stagecraft

• First time see Othello

  He is calm and subverts the stereotypes that he is presented as, being a rational, calming force. It further adds to the idea of tragedy when he succumbs to the expectations of others and meets his demise.
• Othello’s treatment of Desdemona


  Othello’s treatment of Desdemona also presents him as an outsider due to the context and the way most men treated women. Their love is reciprocal and Othello is confident in this, existing in direct contrast to Iago and Emila. Roderigo wants to possess Desdemona, viewing her beauty as an object and a thing for his pride.
• Why does Desdemona love Othello?

  • Desdemona loves Othello as he treats her as a human being, regardless of race and this makes Roderigo feel spited as cannot appreciate this as he fits the status quo. This is furthered by their marriage collapsing when he stops treating Desdemona as a human being
• Othello uses blank verse

  in contrast to other characters seen so far, it makes him appear measured and calm
• Othello's long speeches in Act 1 Scene 3


  Each of Othello’s long speeches in Act 1 Sc3 could be compared to a poem; expressing the nobility and romance we come to associate with the tragic protagonist. He speaks of both love and being a soldier in such manner. Establishes him as a military man
• Othello at the beginning of the play

  Despite the racism of the time, Othello has acquired great respect. Considered the ‘noble Moor’. Othello is powerful, eloquent and respected. Racial slurs do not disturb his strength. It is clear that Othello has removed himself from the issue of race. He is successful and happily married to the beloved Desdemona. Yet clearly there is a greater issue at play. Iago’s torment alone could not bring the great Othello to collapse. Beneath the veneer or Othello’s confident manhood is insecurity, anxious masculinity and the male principal lead to his downfall.
• Iago's asides

  • Iago is constantly talking to the audience in asides. This is a tool often used by Shakespeare to allow villains to express opinions and show the constant scheming.
  • Iago’s asides undermine the moment of happiness between Othello and Desdemona as they are united. It establishes him as a catalyst and manufacturer of Othello’s downfall
• Consummate of their marriage. Act 2, scene 3

  It is key for religious beliefs as even though they were deeply in love, they respected religion

  The impact of their marriage not being fully consummate is that the audience knows their love is not secure
• Act 3, scene 3

  turning point of the play often known as the temptation scene. This is because Iago teases and taunts Othello with suggestions of his wife’s infidelity, tempting him into a state of jealous rage. The suggestions start off very subtly, Iago using his choice of words to arouse Othello’s interest.
• Iago never implicitly says that Desdemona is having an affair


  Iago does not explicitly say that Desdemona is having an affair, it is only implied through creating doubts in Othello’s mind. It does not even take words to create this doubt, revealing that Othello may already have a predisposition to jealousy. Modern interpretations support this and would say that Othello's tragic flaw was that he had internalised the prejudices of those who surrounded him.