First Class on Othello
  1. Othello--See paradigm for literary study
    2.
    1. Scene summaries–curve of the plot--five act structure
      2.
      1. First act, three scenes--Venice...order contains chaos
        2.
        1. Iago's plot--abuse of Othello--scoundrels
          2.
          1. use of sexually charged language: poison his delights, old black ram tupping your white ewe 1.1.69, 89 p. 1182
            2.
        2. Othello at the inn--facing Brabantio successfully--nobility
          3.
          1. Ambiguity of events--public and private--"Is it they" 1.2.33 p. 1186
            2.
        3. First trial--successful defense
          4.
          1. Additional layer--Iago watching as spectator and manipulating--with and without Roderigo--watch exits and entrances for subscenes
            2.
      2. Second act--Cyprus--the liminal fringes
        1. Tempest and calm--created with language--excitement; tension and almost resolution. Defeat of the Turks...happy climax 2.1.178 p. 1202
          2.
          1. Iago/Roderigo layer--sublimity vs. obscenity l.170
            2.
        2. celebration
        3. Seduction of Cassio; arousal of Othello
          4.
          1. return of evil; drunkenness; caught in vulnerable position, like
          2. Iago's language to Othello--bride and groom divesting for bed--2.3.154 p.1209--use of sexually charged language
            3.
    2. Characters
      3.
      1. Roderigo
      2. Iago
      3. Othello–keep up your bright swords or the dew will rust them
      4. Brabantio
      5. Desdemona–wants to be a soldier; loves the heroism of the vita activa
        6.
    3. Setting
      1. Venice and Cyprus, street, senate chamber, inn, bedchamber
    4. Themes
      1. Reputation/Pride/social status
      2. Sex and Love
      3. The private and the public–anxieties and desires
      4. Race
      5. Appearance vs. Reality
      6. Inference and evidence
      7. Psychological vulnerability
      8. Evil
      9. Military matters
    5. Language
      1. Exalted and debased