WK 4: Why does Othello react so quickly and so strongly to Iago's manipulation?

Why does Othello react so quickly and so strongly to Iago's manipulation? Does the problem lie within Othello? Is Iago just too good at what he does or is it a combination of the two? Argue your case and justify your point of view in a well-structured and detailed paragraph. Refer to at least one theme and one positioning technique. Incorporate a quotation, preferably within the sentence and referenced correctly. Post to your blog by 8.20 Thursday morning.

Othello reacts so quickly as he is insecure and has low self-confidence in regards to matters in his private life. He reacts to Iago's manipulation about how Desdemona could be having an affair with his Lieutenant Cassio so quickly as it seems so plausible to him. Cassio is a sophisticated, educated, handsome and charming Venician man who would have been the perfect partner for Desdemona to marry,  and Othello still has doubts to why she chose him when she could have had men who were much better. Iago mentions how Desdemona deceived her father which spurs on his doubts about their relationship together. Othello himself bring up first how their relationship is unnatural, "how nature erring from itself", referencing how Desdemona would want a better partner than him as it is only natural. It is a combination of the manipulation by Iago and Othello's personal issues in his personal life which cause him to react so quickly. The themes that could be linked to Othello's reaction are jealously, deception, reputation and issues of race. Jealously is mainly shown through Othello's insecurities about the type of relationship Desdemona and Cassio share. The themes of deception and reputation are used by Desdemona beginning to have a reputation of deception after she tricked her father, this made it easier for Othello to believe Iago's manipulation of the events. Iago was able to manipulate Othello utilized his reputation for being 'honest Iago' to have Othello believed whatever Iago said was the truth and that he was looking out for in Othello's best interest. The theme of issues of race is present through out the play and is mainly present in Othello's private life, although not as much in his public life. Othello is portrayed publicly as the brave, talented, respected and courageous hero of venice. Evidence of Othello's character is demonstrated by many important political figures  including senators ,when they address him as 'valiant Othello', 'valiant moor' and the 'brave moor' (1.3.32-34).

WK 3: Choosing a theme in Othello

A theme that is introduced in Act One and Act 2 is the issues of race which is introduced by the main protagonist, Othello. Issues of race are represented by the character of Othello as he is a moor which is one who is of African decent who was dark skin. In Act One Othello is only referred to as 'the moor' or by other vulgar language by Iago and Roderigo. The positioning technique used to introduce the theme is the way in Othello is addressed by other characters, which gives the audience a sense taht Othello is not respected in his personal life due to his race. Iago and Roderigo know that Othello and Desdamona have eloped and they tell her father all about it. They describe Othello to Desdamona's father, Brabantio with language such as, 'an old black ram', 'is tupping your white ewe' and 'Barbary horse'(1.1.89-94). They use this language in the dark yelling to Brabantio's window as they would not say anything directly to Othello, as he is a very well respected military general in his public life. Desdemona is Othello's wife who is the daughter of white male who is prominent in society. When Othello and Desdemona elope her father, Brabantio calls the marriage unnatural, "in spite of nature...To fall in love with what she feared to look on?(1.3.95)" This emphases the theme of race importance as it shows how because of Othello's race it is extremely natural in his society to marry a women like Desdemona.

WK 2: Othello and How is he portrayed?

In William Shakespeare’s play, Othello the main character Othello (Moor) is introduced through crude and racist language by Iago and Roderigo. Othello and Desdamona have a relationship which was kept secret as they understood that society at the time would not approve of their marriage. Iago and Roderigo come to the street outside Desdomona’s father, Brabanzio and they cry out that Othello and Brabanzio’s daughter, Desdemona have eloped. The main character for the first section of the play is only referred to as ‘the moor’; who are black descendants from North Africa. Shakespeare introduces Othello as the moor to emphasise how an outcast in society is and because of his race he faces prejudice. For example, Iago and Roderigo refer to him as;”the Moor”(1.1.57), “an old black ram” (1.1.88), and a “Barbary horse” (1.1.113).  The character of Iago assists in the positioning of the main character as his revenge and anger towards him presents the themes of jealously, prejudice and demonstrates how people treat Othello in society. Iago states, “To love the Moor... I follow him to serve my turn upon him,” this example shows how Iago wishes to seek revenge. The audience is positioned to see Iago in a negative light compared to Othello. Shakespearian society did not accept the marriage of Desdemona and Othello as many important figures thought it was unnatural even though he was highly respected in his military accomplishments. Brabanzio describes his daughter’s marriage as, “in spite of nature...to fall in love with what she feared to look upon?” Shakespeare continuously has Othello referred to as the ‘Moor’ which demonstrates the attitudes of harsh prejudice against other races. By introducing the main character as a ‘Moor’ the audience is able to see the flaws in society’s expectations.

Term 4 WK1: Othello Pre-Reading Research Activity

1.     Venice

Venice is located in northeast Italy. In the 16^th century the Venetians were at war with the Turks which are also now as belonging to the Ottoman Empire. Venice also had a critical population drop around 1575-76 due to the plague. Venice after losing Crete to the Turks it turned instead to becoming one of Europe’s most popular tourist attractions and an important musical center. In this time several manufactures helped boost Venice’s economy including silk, wool textiles, Venetian glass, sugar, soap textiles. Venice had once been known for their monopoly of spices but they were no longer because of the Portuguese, but art flourished in Venice instead. The relationship between Venetians and the Turkish was a poor one as they were at war in this era, the reason for their conflict was to control the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean Sea was an important asset in the 16^th century as it was the international center for trade especially as many products were imported from Asia to Europe by sea. 

Map of Venice

2.   Cyprus

  

Cyprus is an island in the Eastern Mediterranean Sean, East of Greece, south of Turkey and north of Egypt. It was the 3^rd largest island in the sea. Cyprus was considered value to conquerors as it represented an important trade center in Europe. The Ottoman Empire’s conquest of Cyprus coincided with the gradual stagnation of the Near Eastern economy due to the discovery of the Atlantic trade. The politics of the countries nearest to it were tense as Venice and the Turkey were at war. Cyprus is approximately 2100 kilometres away from Venice in Italy.

Map of Cyprus and Europe

 3.     Moors

 Moor refers to the descendants of Islamic Arabic inhabitants of North Africa who conquered Spain in the eighth century. The majority had dark coloured skin.Moors originated from North Africa, they lost their land and weren’t in rule in any country. They migrated to Europe and they were forced to hide their religious identities and many were forced to turn to Christianity. The religion associated with moors was the Muslim faith.

4.   Turks.

 The Elizabethan attitude to foreigners in general was that they were to be mistrusted. They were seen to be outsiders like ‘alien’ race. 

 5.     Epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a diverse set of chronic neurological disorders characterized by seizures. The symptom associated with is long term recurrent seizures. People who suffered from Epilepsy in the 16^th century were view as outcasts; they were shunned from society as doctors in this time still did not understand what it was. In the 16^th century it was thought that Epilepsy was contagious to others causing the victims to be seen as nearly not part of society at all. Epileptics are vulnerable to certain conditions which could possibly render a seizure including alcohol, flashing or flickering lights, emotional stress and sleep deprivation.

Class Writtig Task on Othello - Tuesday 16th October

Othello says of himself he is “one not easily jealous but, being wrought, perplexed in the extreme.” I he correct or is he deluded?

Othello is deluded as his thought of himself is that he is “one not easily jealous...” when his jealous rage controls him to make aggressive accusations of his dear wife Desdemona of being unfaithful. Iago plants a web of lies in Othello’s mind that his wife is having an affair with Cassio, Othello’s jealously drives him to trust Irgo more than his wife. Iago plants ideas in Othello’s mind and when he confronts his wife he refuses to hear or believe her side of the story. The thought that his wife might be having a affair with is most trusted lieutenant made him wrought with anger and jealously. He quickly is able to accept that his wife is having an affair, even though Iago has little evidence or proof that this is the truth.Othello is deluded that his own words about himself and jealous to be false as it is his green-eyed temper that leads him to suffocate Desdemona.