OTHELLO - MY NOTES ON THE QUESTION

OTHELLO – TIMED ESSAY SOME NOTES

By considering the dramatic effects of the play, evaluate the view that ‘Iago does not destroy Othello: he provokes Othello to destroy himself.’

Dramatic effects - actions, language, objects and settings used to create suspense, increase tension or emotion

I would expect an answer to consider Iago’s actions and language and Othello’s fragile state of mind

Setting

·         Darkness

·         Othello separated from Desdemona

·         Cyprus

Iago’s Language

·         Lurid images

·         Emotive language

·         Introduces an idea then disowns it

·         Jealousy

·         Lies

Iago’s Actions

·         Forces Cassio and Desdemona together

·         Able to use circumstances to own advantage

·         Directs the action of a scene

o   Making Iago drunk – Act 2 Scene 3

o   Arranging for Rodrigo to attack Cassio – Act 2 Scene 3

o   Puts Desdemona’s handkerchief in Cassio’s rooms

o   Planning for Rodrigo to kill Cassio

·         Combination of circumstances and direction

o   During Iago and Cassio talking and Othello spying – Act

o   Accuses Bianca for being an accomplice to attacking Cassio

Othello’s fragile state of mind