a level othello essay questions

by William Shakespeare

Othello essay questions.

How is Othello's race a factor in the play?

Othello ascends to the rank of the Venetian military, a city - much like Elizabethan England when the play was written - rife with racism. A general in the army, Othello holds a distinguished place in the Duke's court due to his victories in battle, but not an equal one. He suffers barbs and preconceived notions, yet Othello is esteemed and wins the love of the daughter of a nobleman. However, Brabantio is enraged by Othello's marriage to Desdemona and claims Othello used magic to compel her to run to his "sooty bosom". Race is a factor in the tragedy both in those who seek to destroy Othello, and the victims of the schemes - Othello and Desdemona. Perhaps the most pernicious form of race as an instrument of division is Othello's own view of himself as an outsider, which makes him more susceptible to Iago's plan.

How does Shakespeare's use of language reveal character?

Often Shakespeare uses verse lines written in iambic pentameter to illustrate nobility. It is illustrative of Iago's duplicitous nature that he tends to speak in verse when he is with Othello and in prose for his soliloquies. One way in which Iago is a master in manipulation is his tendency to use Othello's own words to disguise his active role of instigator and make it seem that any dark thought came not from him but Othello's own mind. Othello's speech is very sophisticated at the beginning of the play, and in his soliloquy at the close of Act V, but when he is consumed with jealous rage, his eloquence falters. Shakespeare uses dialogue to convey the innerworkings of his characters.

Othello is often called a tragic hero. Discuss his heroic qualities as well as his flaws which lead to his demise.

At the beginning of the play Othello is presented as an honorable man of noble stature and high position. In the end it is his misguided attempt to maintain that honor which brings about his, and Desdemona's, demise. However, Othello is not simply the victim of a plot. Iago is able to engineer Othello's downfall in part because of Othello's own insecurities. His pride blinds him to his weaknesses, and he puts his faith in Iago over the word of his love, Desdemona. Othello is obsessed with his reputation, and ends up killing his wife to save face. Only to a flawed man would murder seem like a solution to a problem of reputation. Othello is spurred on by lies and misrepresentations, but he brings about his own undoing.

What motives, stated and implied, does Iago have for taking revenge on Othello?

Iago's stated reason for taking revenge on Othello is that he has been passed over for Cassio's post. But is this enough for him to "hate the Moor"? It is clear that he is jealous of Othello's ascension in the court and successful wooing of Desdemona. Othello's race and status as an outsider also seems to fuel this rage, as well as the rumor that Othello has slept with Iago's wife, Emilia. None of these motivations, however, seem to add up to inspire the violence that unfolds. Iago remains one of the most purely evil of Shakespeare's villains.

Discuss how loyalty is presented as a positive and a negative quality throughout the play.

Othello's lack of loyalty is what incites Iago's plan for revenge. Iago's ability to fool Othello that he is loyal while secretly plotting his demise is what makes his revenge effective. It is Othello's belief in Desdemona's lack of loyalty that seals their fates. In these ways loyalty, when misconstrued, can be dangerous. However Desdemona's loyalty to Othello even in her death and Othello's loyalty to her once his mistake is revealed are seen as ennobling aspects of their characters.

Compare and contrast the jealousy of Othello to that of Iago.

One major theme in Othello is revenge - Iago's revenge on Othello and Othello's revenge on Desdemona. They both believe death will bring justice. Iago's revenge is cooler, plotted out over time where Othello's is an act of heartbroken passion. Iago wears his lack of morals as a badge of honor where it is Othello's moral code that leads to his tragic end.

Although Othello is the title character in what way is Iago the main character?

Often in Shakespeare's plays such as Hamlet or King Lear , the title character is the main character and protagonist. In Othello this is not the case. Iago has almost 20% more lines than Othello, and has more asides with the audience. While it is Othello's decisions and actions that provide the dramatic structure for the play, it is Iago who sets in motion those decisions and spurs him to action. Othello is the tragic figure of the play, along with Desdemona, and it his characteristics that lend itself to most of the themes - jealousy, race, trust. However, Iago is the character who drives the plot.

How does Desdemona's dying assertion that she killed herself effect how you see her character?

From a modern feminist viewpoint Desdemona may be judged harshly for answering Emilia, when she asked who has mortally attacked her, "nobody; I myself. Farewell." Furthermore, she seemed resigned to her fate at the hands of her husband. While contemporary audiences may interpret these actions as unfathomable, they highlight the goodness of her character. Desdemona is described by others in the play with words that symbolize goodness - light, white, fair, delicate, alabaster. By the end of the play, Desdemona begins to symbolize goodness itself, so her reaction to her murder becomes another element in Othello's tragic end. Desdemona still loves Othello, though he is mistaken, and she goes to her death professing her husband's reputation. A modern audience may wish for a response that is less melodramatic, but that is not the world that Shakespeare has created in this play.

In what ways do Othello's suicide strengthen or undermine his heroism?

Though suicide is not usually the chosen end for a heroic figure, it is Othello's only escape from the crimes he has committed. Though the victim of Iago's trickery, Othello is still the author of his own demise. For Desdemona's death to be answered by anything less than his own would have felt false.

Describe how Othello's pride leads to his fall.

At the beginning of the play Othello is proud of himself and his achievements, but when Iago looks to punish Othello for his perceived slight, it is his pride that he preys upon. The belief that Desdemona has tainted his honor ignites Othello's rage, but it is his pride that blinds him to the fact that the evidence of her acts are lies invented not by a loyal friend but an enemy bent on his destruction.

Othello Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Othello is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

what attributers of the green eyed monster jealousy are made painful apparent as the scene progresses

Jealousy is the green-eyed monster in this scene. In Act 3 scene 3 Othello pretty much displays his jealousy,

desdemonas speech here confirms the masterly nature of iagos plot with what words does she assure cassio that she will do her best to get him reinstated

What is your question here?

why does othello ignore the cries for help?

Othello is hurdling towards self-destruction: sadly, by the deaths of people closest to him. Like tragic heroes such as Macbeth, Othello's senses are dull to tragedy and screams of terror. Roderigo and Cassio fight, and both are injured; Othello...

Study Guide for Othello

Othello study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Othello
• Othello Summary
• Othello Video
• Character List

Essays for Othello

Othello essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Othello by William Shakespeare.

• Iago and Edmund: The Silence and Complexity of Evil
• Unity in Shakespeare's Tragedies
• Inevitability and the Nature of Shakespeare's Tragedies
• Witchy Women: Female Magic and Otherness in Western Literature
• Racism in Othello

Lesson Plan for Othello

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Othello
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Othello Bibliography

E-Text of Othello

Othello e-text contains the full text of Othello by William Shakespeare.

• List of Characters

Wikipedia Entries for Othello

• Introduction
• Date and sources
• Themes and critical approaches

Awaken English

All things Educational. Sharing resources for Secondary English

Othello: Essay Questions

A list of potential essay questions to form revision and speed planning practice:

Jealousy is at the core of all the tragic events that occur in Othello.’ In the light of this statement, explore the dramatic function of jealousy in Shakespeare’s play. In your answer, you must consider relevant contextual factors.

‘Despite his suffering, Othello learns nothing.’ In the light of this statement, explore Shakespeare’s presentation of Othello in the play. In your answer, you must consider relevant contextual factors.

‘Othello depicts a world riddled with corruption and prejudice’. In the light of this statement, explore Shakespeare’s presentation of the values of the world in which the play is set. In your answer, you must consider relevant contextual factors.

‘Irony is a powerful device that Shakespeare uses to heighten the tragedy of Othello.’ In the light of this statement, discuss Shakespeare’s use of irony in the play. In your answer, you must consider relevant contextual factors

‘Othello’s foolishness, as much as Iago’s cleverness, is responsible for the tragedy that unfolds.’ In the light of this statement, explore where responsibility for the tragedy might lie. In your answer, you must consider relevant contextual factors.

‘The settings in Othello are not just times and places in which action happens: they are deeply symbolic and add greatly to the meaning of the play as a whole.’ In the light of this statement, explore Shakespeare’s use of settings in the play. In your answer, you must consider relevant contextual factors.

Looking for more resources on Othello?

A compendium of useful links, exemplar material, resources and home learning

Othello Knowledge Organiser

An Othello Knowledge Organiser, based on William Shakespeare’s seminal play, including key vocabulary and crucial literary allusions and comparisons. My knowledge organisers distill important information from the text in clear and manageable pieces of information for both students to revise from, and teachers planning new curriculum content.

The Knowledge Organiser is structured into three key areas: Critical Theory, Intertextuality and Context as well as Biblical Allusions. Whilst also incorporating key quotations for each character in short sharp, high utility phrases which can be used in a range of essays.

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At the beginning of the play Othello appears unshakeable. He has risen within the military to become an accomplished general. This process filled him with pride in his achievements.

Othello's confidence

• Brabantio accuses Othello of witchcraft, charms and spells but Othello soon shakes this off, not by saying this is false but by the fact that he has a ‘perfect soul’.
• This confidence is what has made him attractive to Desdemona, even though he is a good deal older than she is.

Othello's language

• Desdemona also falls in love with him because he has been a good storyteller, and it is true that in the opening part of the play Othello’s language is very measured and beautifully poetic.
• Even racial slurs cannot put a dent in his armour.

• The only person who can initially put a dent in Othello however, is Desdemona.
• ‘It gives me wonder great as my content / To see you here before me’.

Othello and love

• It is almost as if Othello is not used to married life, and that negotiating a committed relationship may be even more difficult than winning a military campaign.
• When he rages against Cassio and Montano for their brawl together, this is the first indication that not all is well.

• Othello is motivated also by his own monolithic view of his own integrity.
• Those who have integrity in his life are always deemed honest and filled with dignity.
• However, his views of this are sometimes misplaced; something which Iago picks up.

Othello and Iago

Othello is motivated also by his own monolithic view of his own integrity. Those who have integrity in his life are always deemed honest and filled with dignity. However, these views are sometimes misplaced; which Iago picks up.

Othello’s flaws

• His arrogance and pride.
• His notion that evil does not exist in others.
• His possessive love for Desdemona.

Othello and Desdemona

• When contemplating love Othello falls into a swoon thanks to Iago’s manipulation because he is unused to such emotions.
• Although both are adults, Othello and Desdemona have childish tendencies.

Othello's suspicion

• Once Iago has lit the fire of suspicion in his Othello’s brain, he will leave the fire to burn on Othello’s personality traits.
• Thus, it is not Iago, but Othello himself who ranges between love and hate for his wife, and who becomes so obsessive over her supposed love for Cassio.
• When Othello suffocates her, he is almost trying to cure his own warring mind rather than any punishment for her.

Othello's Suicide

After Othello has suffocated Desdemona he becomes filled with self-hate and disgust, but at the same time, he seems to regain some of his earlier dignity, knowing which way he now must go.

Othello's suicide

• The moral code Othello applied on everyone else must now be applied on himself, and this is why he chooses suicide.
• The outside world has seemingly attacked him enough, and he must now escape it.
• At the end of the play, Othello is back to being an outsider or ‘other’ again.

Othello's flaws

• It appears that Othello cannot cope with true love—or more accurately, realistic love.
• He can cope with idealised and romantic love, but because of his own flaws he is unable to weather the storm of an assault upon him and his wife.
• He is too quick to believe rumour and gossip, and has been too easy to manipulate.

Tragic hero

• When Shakespeare constructed Othello he created a new kind of tragic hero.
• However, Othello is now one of the models for how a tragic hero operates.
• In believing Iago’s lies, and in choosing to extinguish Desdemona’s life, he opens himself up to tragic forces and chaos.

1.1 Introduction

1.1.1 Specifications

1.2 Background

1.2.1 Shakespeare

1.2.3 Tragedy

1.2.4 Historical Context

1.3 Othello

1.3.1 Setting

1.3.2 Social Issues

2 Act One: Summaries & Themes

2.1 Act and Scene Summaries

2.1.1 Structure

2.1.2 The Exam

2.2 Scene One

2.2.1 Key Events

2.2.2 Key Themes

2.2.3 Key Ideas

2.3 Scene Two

2.3.1 Key Events

2.3.2 Key Themes

2.3.3 Key Ideas

2.4 Scene Three

2.4.1 Key Events

2.4.2 Key Events 2

2.4.3 Key Themes

2.4.4 Key Ideas

3 Act Two: Summaries & Themes

3.1 Scene One & Two

3.1.1 Scene One: Events

3.1.2 Key Events 2

3.1.3 Key Ideas: Love & Tragedy

3.1.4 Scene Two: Events

3.2 Scene Three

3.2.1 Key Events

3.2.2 Key Ideas

4 Act Three: Summaries & Themes

4.1 Key Events

4.1.1 Scene One & Two

4.1.2 Scene Three

4.1.3 Scene Three: Key Ideas

4.1.4 Scene Four

5.1 Scene One

5.1.1 Key Events

5.1.2 Key Ideas

5.2 Scene Two

5.2.1 Key Events

5.2.2 Key Ideas

5.3 Scene Three

5.3.1 Key Events

5.3.2 Key Ideas

6.1 Scene One

6.1.1 Key Events

6.1.2 Key Ideas

6.2 Scene Two

6.2.1 Key Events

6.2.2 Key Ideas

7 Character Profiles

7.1 Major Characters

7.1.1 Othello

7.1.3 Desdemona

7.1.4 Emilia

7.1.5 Cassio

7.2 Minor Characters

7.2.1 Roderigo & Brabantio

7.2.2 Other Characters

8 Key Themes

8.1 Love & Tragedy

8.1.2 Love 2

8.1.3 Tragedy

8.1.4 Tragedy 2

8.2 Other Key Themes

8.2.1 Public versus Private

8.2.2 Appearance & Reality

9 Writing Techniques

9.1 Writing Techniques

9.1.1 Structure

9.1.2 Genre

9.1.3 Form & Language

9.1.4 Language & Imagery

10 Critical Debates

10.1 Criticism & Performance

10.1.1 Shakespeare's Legacy

10.1.2 Traditional

10.1.3 Modern & Contemporary

10.2 Approaches

10.2.1 Feminist Approach

10.2.2 Psychoanalytic Approach

10.2.3 Marxist Approach

11 Approaching AQA English Literature

11.1 Specification A

11.1.1 Specification A

11.1.2 Love Through the Ages

11.2 Specification B

11.2.1 Specification B

11.2.2 Aspects of Tragedy

12 Issues of Assessment

12.1 The Exams

12.1.2 Mark Scheme

Jump to other topics

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Specifications that use this resource:

• AS and A-level English Literature B 7716; 7717

Aspects of tragedy - exemplar student response and commentary

Below you will find an exemplar student response to a Section B question in the specimen assessment materials, followed by an examiner commentary on the response.

Paper 1A, Section B -  Othello

Sample question.

'Othello's virtue and valour ultimately make him admirable.'

To what extent do you agree with this view?

Remember to include in your answer relevant comment on Shakespeare's dramatic methods.

Band 5 response

It is true that in Act 1 of the play, Othello's actions and behaviour, his virtue and valour can be seen as admirable. He is after all a tragic hero, and his position in the tragedy demands that he begins in a position of greatness before he suffers his tragic fall. Shakespeare establishes Othello's greatness through focusing on his military prowess and his valour at the start of the play before charting his hero's descent as he tumbles into chaos. Othello is a soldier for whom the 'big wars' make 'ambition virtue'.  By Act 3, however, there is little in him to admire: his valour belongs to a seemingly different world and there is nothing virtuous about a husband who colludes in a plot to destroy his wife.

Although Iago is used by Shakespeare at the start of the play to cast doubt on the magnificence of Othello and to test his virtue, when Othello appears he is impressive. Iago tries to persuade him to run away from the raised father whose daughter Othello has married, but Othello has full confidence in himself and the virtue of his actions. In rhythmic and controlled language he tells Iago he must be found: 'My parts, my title, and my perfect soul/ Shall manifest me rightly'. Although it could be claimed that this smacks of arrogance, Othello commands the stage and perhaps the audience's admiration. When Brabantio comes with bad intent, accusing Othello of theft and witchcraft, Othello is unperturbed; he tells his pursuers and accusers to put up their swords for the dew will rust them; they shall command more with their years than their weapons. His measured language is a sign of his confidence, self-discipline and virtue.

When Othello appears before the Duke he is equally impressive. Shakespeare uses the senators to counteract Iago's attempts to defame Othello, by having them refer to the general as 'valiant' (reminding us of his exploits in the field) and the Duke anyway has more interest to employ Othello against the general enemy Ottoman than listen to Brabantio's claims of sorcery. Even so, Othello's virtuous defence of himself and his love for Desdemona is all the more admirable (and certainly from a feminist perspective) because he asks that Desdemona be called to speak for herself. If Othello is found foul in her report, he says, the Duke should not only take away his trust and office but that sentence should fall upon his life. By twenty first century standards, Othello's affording Desdemona a voice and showing her unwavering respect, is virtuous indeed. There is also perhaps something if not admirable then at least mesmerising in his declaration of love and his story of how he wooed her:

                             She loved me for the dangers I had passed,

                             And I loved her that she did pity them.

However, when Shakespeare shifts the scene to Cyprus and the influence of the Venetian state diminishes, Iago, the tragic villain, is able to work his poison on Othello and expose his weaknesses, those aspects of his character that are far from virtuous. Othello's trust in Iago, the ancient he overlooked for lieutenant, shows a terrible lack of judgement. Iago persuades him that Cassio is unworthy and then that Desdemona is unfaithful and from the point that Iago says 'I like not that', Othello's insecurities, raging jealousy and barbaric inclinations are exposed. Having swallowed Iago's poison, Othello damns Desdemona, threatening to 'tear her all to pieces'. It is interesting here to note the dramatic contrast Shakespeare sets up between Othello and the Duke. In Act 1, in Venice, when the Duke is called upon to exercise judgement, he listens to both the accounts of Brabantio and Othello. Here in Cyprus at the outpost of civilization, Othello listens only to the lies of Iago.

There is dramatic contrast too in the different ways Othello speaks. Othello's earlier speeches which contain so much gravitas are now worn down. His love, 'the fountain from the which [his] current runs' is degraded into a 'cistern for foul toads/ to knot and gender in'. He falls under Iago's spell, pulled into the orbit of Iago's filthy linguistic energies and there is not much that is virtuous about his behaviour from now onwards and not much to admire.

His humiliation and public striking of Desemona and his cruel murder of her are all too terrible to forget in the final judgement of him. It is true that when he strikes her there are reminders of his valour and virtue in Lodovico's surprise that he could have misjudged Othello's character so greatly in thinking him good, but these reminders simply intensify the repugnance felt at Othello's actions.  It is also impossible to admire the man who strangles his wife believing that he is an honourable murderer. His pride at enacting the hand of Justice makes him detestable – at a point when he hesitiates, he blames her balmy breath for almost persuading Justice to break its sword.

His final speech, when he perhaps understands the appalling consequences of his folly, is seen by some critics as cathartic, a return of the virtuous and valiant Othello of Act 1. Interestingly, in this speech when he judges himself (and tries to shape how others might think), Othello seems to underplay the significance of his valour and contribution to the state. Though he reminds his stage audience that he has done the state some service, he quickly says 'no more of that'. However, it is clear that as the speech goes on, his assessment of himself is ultimately coloured by his pride and his highly developed sense of self worth and, although he has some dignity, there is not ultimately much honour. His concern at the end is for his public image and, as he has done from the start, he uses language to construct an artifice of his own identity.  He speaks of himself as if he were legendary or part of a defined myth. The use of the definite article is instrumental in achieving this effect – 'the base Indian', 'the Arabian trees'; only fragments of detail are supplied here but he conveys the idea that these images are huge and famous. His final speech is calm and controlled, but it reaches a crescendo of dramatic impact when he does the most dramatic thing he can do, transferring his construction of his identity of himself into the here and now, and suddenly and climactically ends his life. This is the self dramatizing that Leavis so condemns.

So, while it is true that from the moment Othello first appears he is attractive, by ever increasing degrees as the plot develops, he becomes repellent. As we stand back to make our final judgement on whether his valour and virtue ultimately make him admirable, it is surely not possible to overlook his despicable behaviour. What perhaps should be done in the final evaluation is to reconsider the nature of his virtue and valour at the start of the play and question whether it was always founded on sand. From his words early on 'I fetch my life and bearing/ from men of royal siege' to his final words of the play, 'to die upon a kiss' his sense of his own significance is overwhelming.  Othello is certainly not 'ultimately' admirable and the question must be asked, is he ever?  

It is also important to note that even when he is most glorious – and apparently admirable, there are many who cannot countenance his 'pride, pomp and circumstance'.

Examiner commentary

This is a very confident and accomplished response, and although the ideas are a bit overpacked at times and the argument a little overdone, the candidate writes in an assured way.

The response is well structured and the task is always in the candidate's mind. The candidate argues perceptively with a strong and assured personal voice. There is a confident use of literary critical concepts and terminology and the written expression is very secure. Quotation is neatly woven into the argument.

There is perceptive understanding that Shakespeare has constructed this drama to shape meanings. Comment here is often implicit, but there is valid discussion of the structure of the play in relation to the task and on language choices.

Contextual understanding is clear with a sharp focus on military and gender contexts. These are well linked to the tragic genre.

As the candidate fully engages with the task and valour and virtue, there is perceptive exploration of the tragic genre thereby implicitly establishing connections across literary texts.

There is perceptive and confident engagement with the debate here and the candidate clearly knows the text well and selects appropriate material for the argument. The candidate is really thinking about the task and offers some complexity in the answer, well aware of the ambiguities that the play and task set up.

This response seems consistent with the band 5 descriptors.

This resource is part of the Aspects of tragedy resource package .

Document URL https://www.aqa.org.uk/resources/english/as-and-a-level/english-literature-b/teach/tragedy-b-exemplar-student-response-commentary-band-5

Last updated 16 Dec 2022

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AS and A Level: Othello

• English Literature
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Othello is a play of violent contrasts.

'Othello is a play of violent contrasts, of language, character and mood.' Discuss the presentation of these issues in relation to the opening act of Othello. Knight comments that 'in Othello we are faced with the vividly particular rather than the vague and universal1.' Here, he immediately sets up Othello as being a play that, instead of focusing on a broad and more general level, all of the various themes and motifs that it contains converge on this 'particular' focal point - a centre that, particularly in the initial act, breathes with so much literal and symbolic contrast that not only exists between characters, their language and mood, but too within every character, within the mood that the playwright paints. Right from the onset, Shakespeare creates opposition between the characters; he creates such 'unkind' emotion. Roderigo fears that his 'purse' has been taken by Iago, 'as if the strings were thine' - Iago's role as a manipulator, an overriding force whom himself claims to be 'not what' he is, enforcing this concept of negativity, of disillusionment at the heart of the play that, in turn, forebodes the dramatic conflict that is to tear its way into the lives of all. Iago declares that 'our bodies are gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners,' powerfully embodying this emblematic representation of him being a 'gardener', one who is in charge of his own fate,

• Word count: 520
• Level: AS and A Level
• Subject: English

'To what extent does the writer's use of language contribute to the presentation of Albion Gidley Singer and the crime he commits?'

'To what extent does the writer's use of language contribute to the presentation of Albion Gidley Singer and the crime he commits?' This passage is about Albion Gidley Singer who we see in the first paragraph as a loving , caring and responsible father. As we go further into the passage we see him changing for the worse and later he ends up raping his daughter out of frustration and also little bit of jealousy. The story starts with Albion Gidley Singer going to check on his daughter which had become a daily routine as 'I had got into the habit' suggests. This shows him as a loving and caring father going to check on his daughter as usual. On this particular night as he went to check on his daughter instead of receiving a glad smile and some amazing facts about aardvarks, she is shocked and gasps as she hears him come in. The 'instead' shows him as a foreshadowing and disciplinarian father. The glad smile and facts about aardvarks shows innocence in the daughter and the shock shows that she is scared of him. In the second paragraph he mentions about his daughter's 'fluster' which makes him suspicious and his disapproval of the fact that she was not working shows that he had high expectations of her, and also the 'Euclid I had got her' shows that he's fond of academy. When she moves as if to cover her work he thinks 'as well she might' shows his authority and his values.

• Word count: 1371

"Write about Fitzgerald's story-telling methods in chapter 3."

Gatsby Essay. "Write about Fitzgerald's story-telling methods in this chapter." In terms of form in the first chapter Fitzgerald uses the first person retrospective in the main character Nick Carraway. Nick appears to be talking about events that happened two years previously and therefore we receive the information retrospectively and almost in a second hand manner, meaning that it could have been adapted and not in its original form. When using this form of narrative Fitzgerald needs the reader to completely trust the judgement of Nick and his ability to remember what happened in precise enough detail. This trust is created during the first page where Nick himself talks about how people seem to trust him, how de doesn't judge people too quickly and his tolerance of others, "I'm inclined to reserve all judgements... I was privy to the secret griefs of wild, unknown men... boasting this way of my tolerance." The effect of using this first person narrative and having Nick as the central character could mean that the reader considers him as a person who, when re-encountering details of past times, will tell the truth and not have his memory blurred by judgement. The use of layers and shifts in narrative help the structure to stay maintained while bringing other facts and peoples interpretations into the story. For example, when Nick is talking to Myrtle about her first

• Word count: 2004

To what extent does language reflect the disintegration of Othellos character?

To what extent does language reflect the disintegration of Othello's character? Throughout the play, the protagonist's language seems to be an honest portrayal of his state of mind. His language is inconsistent through the play and this reflects the characters downfall and change in nature. In the beginning of the play Othello appears to be a noble man with a calm nature. This is apparent during Othello's disagreement with Brabantio over his marriage to Desdemona. Othello exclaims, 'Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust / them.' (Act1,2,58). His use of language demonstrates he is wise as he is being rational rather than responding to physical violence. It is through this calm and rational manner that Othello persuades the Duke to dismiss Brabantio's claims that he has used 'magic' and 'drugs' to woo his daughter. Othello even says, 'Rude am I in my speech', to apologise for any offence he may cause even though he is fully aware that he is speaking in a polite and calm manner. His language here shows control unlike Brabantio who uses abrupt and accusing language: 'O foul thief! Where has thou stow'd my daughter?' (Act1,2,62). Othello's love for his wife is portrayed through his speech: 'I therefore beg it not / To please the palate of my appetite, / Nor to comply with heat the young affects / In my distinct and proper satisfaction, / But to be free and

• Word count: 1330

Examine the ways in which Shakespeare presents the changed character of Othello.

In act 4 scene 1 we see a marked change in Othello since his suspicions of Desdemona were first aroused. Examine the ways in which Shakespeare presents the changed character of Othello here and elsewhere in the play. To be capable to note a change in the character of Othello we must look at his initial behaviour and how Shakespeare presents his personality. A Shakespearean tragedy consists of a 'hero's' life and their downfall, which will ultimately lead to their death. For a character to become a hero he must be respected and noble, to do this Shakespeare creates scenes to raise Othello's status. We expect to have a great deal of respect for the protagonist. In another of Shakespeare's Tragedies Macbeth, the protagonist's status is raised similarly as they are both powerful generals whose success in battle make them respected by the audience because of their service to their country. This is shown in the first acts of both plays for example, King Duncan exclaims, "For brave Macbeth- well he deserves that name" and Othello is refeared to as "valiant moor" by the Duke. The fact that both of the protagonists are respected by people of a high status in the opening scenes is to create standards which the audience will expect to see throughout the remainder of the play. It is significant that both Macbeth and Othello are soldiers because their pasts are referred to throughout

• Word count: 1916

A critical analysis of Iago's second soliloquy.

Othello - Gobbet Question - Iago's Second Soliloquy Iago's second soliloquy is very revealing. It shows him shaping a plan out of the confusion of his emotionally charged thoughts. Iago examines his own thoughts, especially his hatred for Othello: "The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not" He is also suffering from the "poisonous mineral" of jealousy that still swirls around the rumour that Othello has slept with Emilia. Iago could get his revenge by seducing Desdemona: "Now I do love her too ... But partly led to diet my revenge, for that I do suspect the lusty Moor Hath leaped into my seat, the thought whereof doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards". Iago uses the word "love" here in a very cynical, free way, making it a combination of lust towards Desdemona and seeking power over Othello, Cassio and Desdemona. At first he sees his seduction of Desdemona as his revenge: "Till I am evened with him, wife for wife". Then Iago realizes that the jealousy that torments him is the very weapon he can use against Othello, who will be even more susceptible. Iago will lead Othello, via jealousy, to madness: "Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me, for making him egregiously an ass". At the same time, his statements about what motivates him are hazy and confusing. He could be motivated by lust for Desdemona, envy of Cassio, or jealousy over his wife's supposed affair

• Word count: 660

To what extent is Othello considered a tragic hero?

To what extent is Othello considered a tragic hero? Othello has many qualities that a tragic hero should possess, such as a fatal flaw, a discovery and an epiphany. He is also a very noble character and took a fall from grace so to some extent many would consider Othello to be a tragic hero. However, it is also clear that Othello's status as a black man makes him an outsider to Venetian society, therefore, Othello would be lower down on the chain of Being making him a less respectable character. Othello is also an outsider in the Venetian society because he is not from Venice; again this makes him a less respected character in the play, consequently, making him less of a tragic hero. Othello's main aspect that makes him an excellent tragic hero is his role as a general in the army. This is considered an important job and Othello is well respected for it by Venetian society. Othello's respect is evident as many of the characters in the play address him as the "valiant moor." This shows that Othello is seen as a brave courageous person. Othello demonstrates his bravery throughout the play. An example of this occurs when Othello marries Desdemona as the consequence of this action would obviously have a negative outcome, Othello could have been sentenced to prison or even put to death. In spite of this, Othello defends his marriage and tells Brabantio to, "keep up your bright

• Word count: 1491

To what extent is Othello a Hegelian tragedy?

To what extent is Othello a Hegelian tragedy? A Hegelian tragedy must have; a society in conflict and a series of opposing social forces that ultimately destroy themselves. It is argued that a Hegelian tragedy is not about the individual characters but rather what they represent. The beginning of the play Othello is set in Venice and the Venetian society is definitely portrayed to be in conflict. Firstly there is a war going on between Venice and the Turks. Othello is a general and plays a key role on the war. Eventually the venetians beat the Turks and Othello, Desdemona and the rest of the key characters go to stay in Cyprus. Secondly there is the conflict with race within the society. Othello, otherwise known as the moor, originates from North Africa and he is black. Many of the characters call his names such as 'thick lips' and 'black ram' as well as always referring to him as 'the moor'. When Brabantio finds out that his daughter Desdemona is married to Othello, a black man, he thinks it's monstrous and takes Othello straight to the duke. Lastly there are the constant arguments. In the opening scene of the play we see Roderigo and Iago arguing outside Brabantio's house. Roderigo has paid iago a considerable amount of money to spy on Othello for him, since he wishes to take Othello's girlfriend, Desdemona as his own. Roderigo fears Iago has not been telling him

• Word count: 1044

Othello speech. Othello is the ultimate story of doomed love, passion and revenge, and is a story that has been reworked by many producers, writers and directors. One such production is the 1997 Royal Shakespeare Company play titled Othello, directe

CLOSE STUDY OF TEXT - Othello Assessment Task Term 2 Task 1: Oral Presentation Othello is the ultimate story of doomed love, passion and revenge, and is a story that has been reworked by many producers, writers and directors. One such production is the 1997 Royal Shakespeare Company play titled "Othello", directed by Michael Attenborough. The production was presented at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford. Throughout it, Attenborough portrays his interpretation of the turbulent tragedy via the communication of the plot and characters that make up the production, lighting and sound techniques, as well as the central themes in it. The play is set in the Edwardian period in the early twentieth century, and opens with Othello standing in the midst of a racist British colonial military camp. The unique context - 'a militaristic world' according to Logan, is thus suggested from the beginning. Furthermore, from looking at a number of photos that were taken of the production, it was clear that Attenborough's play was presented in a very large theatre. There was also one review which said that because of the large, a very big cast was used. Lois Potter suggests that because the production relied on spectacle, 'it was largely through visual rather than verbal means that it achieved poetic quality'. Attenborough presented characters like Desdemona

• Word count: 852

Do you think this is how Shakespeare wanted to portray or present the character?Samuel Taylor Coleridge once wrote that Iago's soliloquies are the "motive-hunting of motiveless malignity".

Samuel Taylor Coleridge once wrote that Iago's soliloquies are the "motive-hunting of motiveless malignity". Do you think this is how Shakespeare wanted to portray or present the character? 'The Arden Shakespeare', argues that Othello is the 'third of greatest tragedies, contains arguably the best plot and two of Shakespeare's most original characters'. Originating from a tale written by Cinthio, Othello is seen as one of the Bard's most passionate and intricate tragedies. The play, originally identified as The Tragedy of Othello-the Moor of Venice, can be easily differentiated from Shakespeare's other plays as Othello explores a sense of cruelty that lacks comic relief. Moreover, Iago's character greatly emphasises on an intense theme of unity of action that is revealed as there are no subplots throughout. A structuralist approach is discovered as the signifier and signified are inversed frequently during the play. Critics have said 'Othello subverts traditional theatrical symbolism, through the presentation of characters Othello and Iago'. The drama of the play is usually driven by Iago's machination to destroy his general. Iago possesses more lines than Othello does throughout the play and moreover uses the speech of soliloquies to communicate with the audience forming a mutual relationship, as the villain reveals other dimensions to his character and schemes. Although

• Word count: 2394

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Collection of Othello Essays for A level English Literature

Subject: English

Age range: 16+

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

21 June 2019

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Essays written as exemplars for A level students studying Othello as part of the AQA Eng Lit B spec. Essay titles are as follows:

Section A of the exam – Othello Extract Question / Extract Act One, Scene Two Explore the significance of this extract in relation to the tragedy of the play as a whole

Section A of the exam, extract from Othello – Act 3, Scene 3 Explore the significance of the extract in relation to the tragedy of the play as a whole

Section B of the exam - Essay Question ‘Even if he had stayed within the controlling order of Venice, Othello’s tragic downfall was inevitable’. To what extent do you agree with this view?

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Othello Exam Questions

First of all let’s look at the broad categories questions usually fall into:

You must be able to discuss the following when it comes to  characters :

• a tragic hero? (does he recognise his flaws and gain self-knowledge?)
• his nobility (is he a good man?) / strengths & weaknesses / virtues & flaws
• his relationship with Desdemona & treatment of her
• his manipulation by Iago and transformation into a jealous brute
• the extent to which he is responsible for the tragedy which occurs at the end of the play
• our level of sympathy for him
• the real ‘hero’ of the action?
• flaws and virtues?
• his motivation
• how he controls & manipulates all of the action/characters
• too good to be true or a believable character?
• dramatic function in the play?

Emilia / Bianca:

• Emilia’s dramatic function in the play
• foils to Desdemona – worldly and cynical rather than pure and innocent
• add variety to Shakespeare’s presentation of women & his exploration of their position in society
• symbol of goodness
• extent to which he contributes to the tragedy

All characters:

• contrast the extremes of good and evil presented in the characters in the play
• the play is very pessimistic about human nature
• the play is very pessimistic about human relationships

The major  themes  in the play are:

• Revenge / Power
• Good vs Evil
• Appearance vs Reality (Deception/Manipulation)
• Love & Hate / Loyalty & Betrayal
• Women’s position in society

For each theme – no matter what the wording – ask yourself

• WHO  does this theme apply to?
• HOW / WHY  does this character have to deal with this issue?
• Do they  CHANGE  over the course of the play?
• Are there any  SCENES  which highlight this theme specifically?
• What are our  FINAL IMPRESSIONS  of this issue?

OPEN QUESTIONS:

• Relevance to a modern audience
• Pessimistic play

STYLE QUESTIONS:

• Language & Imagery
• Dramatic Irony
• Compelling Drama – scene or scenes

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Othello & Iago:

 “ Othello’s foolishness, rather than Iago’s cleverness, leads to the tragedy of Shakespeare’s Othello ” (2008)

“ It is Othello’s egotism and lack of self-knowledge, and not Iago’s evil schemes, which ultimately bring about the tragedy at the end of the play “

“ Othello is arrogant, impulsive and violent. While Iago sets up the conditions for tragedy to occur, it is Othello, ultimately, who we must hold responsible for the tragic events which unfold “

“ A combination of Iago’s skill, Othello’s weakness and a measure of good luck, bring about the tragedy in Othello “

“ Iago cannot be blamed for the deaths of Desdemona and Othello “

“ We cannot blame Othello for being fooled by Iago. Everyone else in the play, including Iago’s wife, believes that he  is honest and true “

“ Othello and Iago are both egotists, obsessed with proving how clever and capable they are, and hell bent on revenge when they feel they have been wronged “

“Othello is the principal agent of his own downfall” (1994)

“ Othello is essentially a noble character, flawed by insecurity & a nature that is naive & unsophisticated ” (1990)

“ Othello is a good man who is skilfully manipulated by Iago. For this reason, despite his credulousness, we continue to feel sorry for him “

“ Iago’s schemes succeed, not because Othello is weak, but because he is so noble “

“ Othello is a noble hero who loses, but ultimately regains our sympathy “

“ We do not approve of Othello’s behaviour, yet we nonetheless pity him “

“ Othello is not a tragic hero; he is a gullible fool “

“ Othello is not a tragic hero. He never really takes responsibility for his errors of character and judgement”

“ Despite his suffering, Othello learns little of himself or of human relationships “

To what extent do you agree with Othello’s assessment of himself as an “ honourable murderer ” who “ loved not wisely but too well “?

“ The collapse of Othello and Desdemona’s marriage is the real tragedy of this play “

“ Iago is the real hero of Shakespeare’s play Othello ”

“ Iago is a likable villain ”

“ Iago is motivated by jealousy of others good fortune and by a lust for power ”

“Iago is a charming villain, but it is difficult to understand his motivation”

“ Iago is an evil villain with no redeeming qualities “

“ While we are repulsed by Iago’s evil, we are fascinated by his ingenuity “

“ Iago is the most evil but also the most fascinating character in the play Othello”

“ Desdemona is not a credible character, she is an unrealistic saint who does nothing to try and prevent her fate ”

“ Desdemona is a woman, not an angel; she lives and loves with her whole person, both body and soul ”

“ Desdemona’s dramatic function in the play is to act as a symbol of purity, innocence and goodness but this means that her behaviour is not always entirely believable ”

“ Desdemona and Iago are at opposite poles in the play, Othello, the one representing pure love, the other hate incarnate “. (1986)

Emilia / Bianca: 

Discuss the importance of the character Emilia in the play as a whole. (1994)

“ Women are not presented in a very positive light in Shakespeare’s Othello “

“ Cassio may be a ‘proper man’ but he is also an honest fool whose weakness plays no small part in the tragic death of Desdemona ”

“ Shakespeare’s play Othello demonstrates the weakness of human judgement ” (2008)

“ Shakespeare’s Othello presents the very best and the very worst in human nature ”

“ Shakespeare’s Othello presents us with a dark and pessimistic view of human nature”

“Shakespeare’s Othello presents us with a dark and pessimistic view of human relationships”

“ In the play Othello, naive, innocent characters are no match for the evil machinations of the world weary Iago “

“ The destructive power of jealousy is dramatically presented in Shakespeare’s play Othello ”

“ Shakespeare’s Othello is concerned not so much with jealousy, as with misunderstanding ”

“ Shakespeare’s play Othello powerfully portrays a world dominated by jealousy and revenge”

“ Evil ultimately conquers good in Shakespeare’s play Othello ”

“In Shakespeare’s play Othello, we witness a profound inability to distinguish between appearances and reality”

“ Appearances do not mask a sinister reality in this play, yet Iago manages to convince every character that there is more going on than meets the eye”

“ Love and hate are presented as opposite sides of the same coin in Shakespeare’s play Othello ”

“ Shakespeare’s Othello initially questions, but then confirms racist stereotypes ”

“ The role and status of women is dramatically explored in Shakespeare’s Othello”

Open questions:

“Shakespeare’s Othello remains relevant for a modern audience”

“ Despite the striking portrayals of goodness and nobility, the play Othello leaves the audience with a sense of dismal despair ”

Style questions:

“ Image of animals, images of storm and images of heaven and hell predominate in Othello ” (1990)

 “ Irony is a powerful dramatic device used by Shakespeare to heighten the tragic dimension of his play Othello ” (1998)

Othello contains many scenes of compelling drama. Choose one scene which you found particularly compelling and discuss why you found it so.

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