Allegory: A narrative that has 2 meanings one literal or surface meaning and the other metaphorical (the characters and settings represent abstract ideas or moral qualities
"O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil!"
On the surface, we see Cassio refering to the wine as a devil because of what it had done to him, but on an underlying layer, we see that Cassio is unintentionally calling Iago the devil, for Iago was the one who forced the wine upon Cassio.
"O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil!"
On the surface, we see Cassio refering to the wine as a devil because of what it had done to him, but on an underlying layer, we see that Cassio is unintentionally calling Iago the devil, for Iago was the one who forced the wine upon Cassio.
Allusion: Any reference, direct or indirect, to a person, place, event, or character in history, literature, mythology, etc.
"By Janus, I think no."
The name Janus is referring to the Roman God who is known for being two-faced and deceitful, very similar to the actions of Iago.
"By Janus, I think no."
The name Janus is referring to the Roman God who is known for being two-faced and deceitful, very similar to the actions of Iago.
Catastrophe: The concluding action of a tragedy, where the principal character meets with death or other significant defeat.
"Commend me to my kind lord, O, farewell! Dies" "Killing myself, to die upon a kiss. Falls on the bed, and dies"
These two quotes represent when Desdemona was killed by Othello, which was followed by Othello killing himself. This occurs at the very end of the story, as two of the main characters have a meeting with death.
"Commend me to my kind lord, O, farewell! Dies" "Killing myself, to die upon a kiss. Falls on the bed, and dies"
These two quotes represent when Desdemona was killed by Othello, which was followed by Othello killing himself. This occurs at the very end of the story, as two of the main characters have a meeting with death.
Catharsis: Purgation or purification of the emotions of pity and fear from the viewing of a tragic drama
"O Desdemona! Desdemona! dead! Oh! Oh! Oh!"
This is the moment in the play where Othello learns that Desdemona was innocent, and that he has just killed his innocent wife. At this time, the audience may begin to move from a feeling of anger towards Othello for his rash decisions to feeling pity for Othello about the horrible trauma he is enduring.
"O Desdemona! Desdemona! dead! Oh! Oh! Oh!"
This is the moment in the play where Othello learns that Desdemona was innocent, and that he has just killed his innocent wife. At this time, the audience may begin to move from a feeling of anger towards Othello for his rash decisions to feeling pity for Othello about the horrible trauma he is enduring.
Characters: Living beings in a work of fiction
All of the characters in Othello include Othello, Iago, Cassio, Desdemona, Roderigo, Emelia, Bianca, Lodovico, Brabantio, Montano, Gratiano, the Duke of Venice, and more minor characters such as Clown, Sailor, Officers, Gentlemen, Messengers, Musicians, Heralds, and Attendants.
All of the characters in Othello include Othello, Iago, Cassio, Desdemona, Roderigo, Emelia, Bianca, Lodovico, Brabantio, Montano, Gratiano, the Duke of Venice, and more minor characters such as Clown, Sailor, Officers, Gentlemen, Messengers, Musicians, Heralds, and Attendants.
Comic Relief: A humorous scene, incident or speech in the course of a serious fiction or drama.
"Masters, play here; I will content your pains; Something that's brief ; and bid 'Good morrow, general.' Music /Enter Clown"
This moment in the play gives the audience a break emotionally after all of the immense tension from the acts before this moment and offers the reader a rest from the intensity before they are put into the highly emotional scenes that follows.
"Masters, play here; I will content your pains; Something that's brief ; and bid 'Good morrow, general.' Music /Enter Clown"
This moment in the play gives the audience a break emotionally after all of the immense tension from the acts before this moment and offers the reader a rest from the intensity before they are put into the highly emotional scenes that follows.
Conceit: An ingenious and fanciful notion or conception through an elaborate analogy showing striking parallel between two dissimilar things.
"'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack: If it prove lawful prize, he's made forever." "I do not understand." "He's married."
Roderigo speaks in an extended metaphor with complex logic that Cassio does not understand.
"'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack: If it prove lawful prize, he's made forever." "I do not understand." "He's married."
Roderigo speaks in an extended metaphor with complex logic that Cassio does not understand.
Connotation: The suggested or emotional meaning of a word as compared with its dictionary definition
"O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my dauther?"
Othello has not truly stolen Brabantio's daughter, as the dictionary definition would suggest, but more has won her love and taken her loyalty away from her father.
"O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my dauther?"
Othello has not truly stolen Brabantio's daughter, as the dictionary definition would suggest, but more has won her love and taken her loyalty away from her father.
Context: The setting or frame of reference in which an event takes place
The start of Act II, Scene I provides background and understanding of the surrounding area. In this example, the characters may not be loud and boisterous because they are in an open area where others can see and hear them.
The start of Act II, Scene I provides background and understanding of the surrounding area. In this example, the characters may not be loud and boisterous because they are in an open area where others can see and hear them.
Effect: The impression made by a literary work on a reader or society
Unfortunately, many of Iago's actions in Othello have been attempted to be recreated in modern society. Iago's malicious, evil, and brilliant plots to undermine Othello and everyone around him for personal gain can be seen today. People will manipulate friends and family in every gut-wrenching way to get what they want. You will even see society using this as a form of revenge against someone who has wronged them in some way.
Unfortunately, many of Iago's actions in Othello have been attempted to be recreated in modern society. Iago's malicious, evil, and brilliant plots to undermine Othello and everyone around him for personal gain can be seen today. People will manipulate friends and family in every gut-wrenching way to get what they want. You will even see society using this as a form of revenge against someone who has wronged them in some way.
Hamartia: The tragic flaw or error of judgment
Iago's manipulation leads Othello into believing that his wife, Desdemona, has cheating on him by sleeping with his lieutenant, Cassio. This is not true, but is caused by an error of judgement. Sadly, this leads to the tragic death of both Desdemona and Othello.
Iago's manipulation leads Othello into believing that his wife, Desdemona, has cheating on him by sleeping with his lieutenant, Cassio. This is not true, but is caused by an error of judgement. Sadly, this leads to the tragic death of both Desdemona and Othello.
Invocation: An address to a god or muse whose aid is sought
"And I-- God bless the mark!--his Moorship's ancient."
Iago asks for God to bless the time when Iago becomes Othello's lieutenant through his deliberate plan.
"And I-- God bless the mark!--his Moorship's ancient."
Iago asks for God to bless the time when Iago becomes Othello's lieutenant through his deliberate plan.
Socratic Irony: Pretending to be ignorant when in fact the character is being cautious or tentative
"O me, lieutenant! what villains have done this?"
Iago pretends that he has no idea who had attacked Cassio and acts like he is trying to help him, while it was Iago who had attacked Cassio in the first place. He is covering his tracks cautiously by trying to help the man he injured.
"O me, lieutenant! what villains have done this?"
Iago pretends that he has no idea who had attacked Cassio and acts like he is trying to help him, while it was Iago who had attacked Cassio in the first place. He is covering his tracks cautiously by trying to help the man he injured.
Verbal Irony: Contrast between what is stated and what is suggested
"My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago." "No, his mouth is stopp'd; Honest Iago hath ta'en order for't." "Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving, Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee."
Numerous times throughout the play, Iago is introduced as "Honest" Iago. We, as the audience, know for SURE that Iago has absolutely no honesty to any of his words, but the other characters believe he is the most honest person in the play.
"My friend, thy husband, honest, honest Iago." "No, his mouth is stopp'd; Honest Iago hath ta'en order for't." "Honest Iago, that look'st dead with grieving, Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee."
Numerous times throughout the play, Iago is introduced as "Honest" Iago. We, as the audience, know for SURE that Iago has absolutely no honesty to any of his words, but the other characters believe he is the most honest person in the play.
"[Striking her] Devil!"
Mood: The atmosphere or emotional effect generated by the words images situations in a literary work
At this point, Othello strikes Desdemona out of frustration and anger in front of everyone and leaves the audience with a feeling of disbelief.
At this point, Othello strikes Desdemona out of frustration and anger in front of everyone and leaves the audience with a feeling of disbelief.
Plot: The action – that which happens – in a literary work
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Complication: Smaller actions or events which confound and compound the original problem
Iago places the handkerchief that Othello gives to Desdemona in the room of Cassio to make it look as if Desdemona had been with him. This further fuels the fire that leads to Othello believing his wife had cheated on him with Cassio and tragically kills Desdemona.
Iago places the handkerchief that Othello gives to Desdemona in the room of Cassio to make it look as if Desdemona had been with him. This further fuels the fire that leads to Othello believing his wife had cheated on him with Cassio and tragically kills Desdemona.
Crisis: The turning point for better or worse in a play
"[Striking her] Devil!"
This sets the stage for the official transition in the play from being a beautiful story about two lovers to being the downfall of Othello. Influenced solely from Iago's deceiving, Othello spirals into a man of hatred, when he used to be the most loving man. The hit officially announces the transition, though it was long coming,
"[Striking her] Devil!"
This sets the stage for the official transition in the play from being a beautiful story about two lovers to being the downfall of Othello. Influenced solely from Iago's deceiving, Othello spirals into a man of hatred, when he used to be the most loving man. The hit officially announces the transition, though it was long coming,
Climax: A point of high emotional intensity often the protagonist and antagonist clash for the last time
Act III, Scene III
It is at this point that Othello officially gives up his sympathy and is out for blood. He loses all of his reasonable doubt of Desdemona and Cassio's actions and decides to take an action of his own by killing the both of them.
Act III, Scene III
It is at this point that Othello officially gives up his sympathy and is out for blood. He loses all of his reasonable doubt of Desdemona and Cassio's actions and decides to take an action of his own by killing the both of them.
Denouement: Falling action, the conclusion of a plot, the resolution
Once we see the change of Othello, the play begins to turn dark, and many injuries and deaths occur. Cassio is injured and Roderigo is slain by Iago, Desdemona is suffocated by Othello, Emilia is stabbed by Iago, Othello kills himself, and Iago is sent for torturing.
Once we see the change of Othello, the play begins to turn dark, and many injuries and deaths occur. Cassio is injured and Roderigo is slain by Iago, Desdemona is suffocated by Othello, Emilia is stabbed by Iago, Othello kills himself, and Iago is sent for torturing.
Recognition: The moment at which a chief character recognizes the happy or awful truth.
"Are there no stones in heaven But what serve for the thunder?--Precious villain!"
Othello finally sees the horrible plot that "Honest" Iago has set forth to undermine him, and understands he has been set up for certain demise.
"Are there no stones in heaven But what serve for the thunder?--Precious villain!"
Othello finally sees the horrible plot that "Honest" Iago has set forth to undermine him, and understands he has been set up for certain demise.
Reversal: The thrilling change of luck for the protagonist at the last moment
Iago, the true protagonist of the story, had his extremely complex plan fall all perfectly into place throughout the entire story. Finally, at the end, he is caught and his plans are spoiled. This leads to the torturing he must undergo.
Iago, the true protagonist of the story, had his extremely complex plan fall all perfectly into place throughout the entire story. Finally, at the end, he is caught and his plans are spoiled. This leads to the torturing he must undergo.
Setting: A combination of locale, historical period, season or hour, and spiritual, ethnic and cultural background
The story originally takes place in the late sixteenth century in Venice, then is moved to Cyprus once the Turks invade. The time frame of the story can range anywhere from 36 hours to several weeks, depending on how you look at the action. We will frequently see allusions to spiritual figures, and the difference in race (Othello is African) is glorified time and time again. There are many differences between the backgrounds of Othello and the Venetians, especially with Othello's tragic war stories.
The story originally takes place in the late sixteenth century in Venice, then is moved to Cyprus once the Turks invade. The time frame of the story can range anywhere from 36 hours to several weeks, depending on how you look at the action. We will frequently see allusions to spiritual figures, and the difference in race (Othello is African) is glorified time and time again. There are many differences between the backgrounds of Othello and the Venetians, especially with Othello's tragic war stories.
Tone: The writer’s or speaker’s attitude toward his subject, audience, or himself
The tone of the play is controlled by Iago since he is the only one who speaks directly to the audience. Iago has a cynical and paranoid way of going about his speeches when addressing the audience, and this sets the feeling that an audience receives from the author.
The tone of the play is controlled by Iago since he is the only one who speaks directly to the audience. Iago has a cynical and paranoid way of going about his speeches when addressing the audience, and this sets the feeling that an audience receives from the author.
Tragedy: A serious fiction involving the downfall of a hero or heroine
Othello is a very serious fiction that involves the downfall of the hero Othello. Here is a little more detail on that subject:
Othello is a very serious fiction that involves the downfall of the hero Othello. Here is a little more detail on that subject:
Tragic Flaw: In a tragedy, the defect in the hero that leads to a downfall
Othello takes to heart everything that Iago tells him without looking for proper justification. This leads to Othello believing that his wife cheated on him with Cassio, followed by the downfall of Othello's morality.
Othello takes to heart everything that Iago tells him without looking for proper justification. This leads to Othello believing that his wife cheated on him with Cassio, followed by the downfall of Othello's morality.
Tragic Irony: The most noble and most deserving person, because of the very grounds of his or her excellence, dies in defeat.
Desdemona dies in defeat because she is loyal to a fault. Her extreme loyalty and love to everyone makes Othello believe she is giving herself to more than one person.
Desdemona dies in defeat because she is loyal to a fault. Her extreme loyalty and love to everyone makes Othello believe she is giving herself to more than one person.