Othello Notes!!!

Themes: Jealousy, Betrayal and Deception. Significance??

Jealousy:

 Iago’s initial motive to destroy lives is his jealousy of Othello’s important military
position, his beautiful white wife and Cassio’s luitenency
 When Iago convince Othello Desi cheats, Othello’s noble, composed outside changes
into a jealous “green-eyed monster”
“O, beware my lord, of jealousy. It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat
it feeds on,” Iago says in Act 3 Scene 3
 Everyone involved in the story displays jealous personalities (example: Bianca with
Cassio) Nobody had anything else to do in those days
 Jealousy is the main reason why all these people end up dead or wounded

Betrayal and Deceit:

 Iago completely betrays all of the people who believe they are friends with him. (Tricks
Roderigo, totally lies to Othello about everything, schemes a way to remove Cassio’s
title, etc)
 The audience or readers are in on Iago’s plan, we see how he befriends everyone and acts
like a completely different person on the outside. True feelings are revealed during
soliloquies, very frustrating for audience
“But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at. I am not what I am,” Iago
snarls to himself during Act 1 Scene 1
 When Iago tricks naive Cassio into getting wasted

Good vs. Evil:

 Iago obviously is the evil in the story

 Othello is the good, crosses over to evil side
 Characters like Emilia, Desdemona and Cassio are pure, innocent ones that get fatally
...screwed
 Most characters are neutral but have witnessed so much evil and hate
 Bibliography for Othello

Book Source:
Shakespeare, William, Othello, Toronto Hartcourt Shakespeare 2000 print

Internet Sources:
1- www.sparknotes.com/Shakespeare/Othello

2- "Othello Navigator: Notable Quotes." Index of /. Web. 15 June 2010.

<http://www.twelfth-night.info/clicknotes/othello/QuotesOthello.html>.

3- "Othello Characters Review at Absolute Shakespeare." Absolute Shakespeare - Plays,

Quotes, Summaries, Essays... Web. 15 June 2010.
<http://absoluteshakespeare.com/guides/othello/characters/characters.htm>.

4- "Othello Study Guide : Major Themes | GradeSaver." Study Guides & Essay Editing |
GradeSaver. Web. 15 June 2010. <http://www.gradesaver.com/othello/study-
guide/major-themes/>.

For Pictures:
www.accesshollywood.com
For Citations:
www.easybib.com