Teach Othello

Prejudice is a pre-conceived opinion about a person or people that is not based on reason. In this play, we see examples of prejudice throughout, the main ones being racism and sexism.

Shakespeare would not have been able to criticize institutions like the army in England by showing negative characters, so by using Venetian characters, he has more creative freedom.

Othello exhibits some internalized racism when he says, "my name that was as fresh as Dian's visage, is now begrim'd and black, as mine own face". This suggests that even he associates being Black with being dirty.

Extract from Unlocked Study Guide: Othello.

Seen in a modern light, Othello is a story about a man mistreating his wife, and we are encouraged to sympathize with him.

Men could manipulate women they desired and leave them unmarried at this time, but women were unable to act in the same way, or they would be disowned or judged harshly by society.

Extract from Unlocked Study Guide: Othello.

Doubt plays a key part in this play. One of the key issues for Othello is not just the thought of being cheated, but the state of uncertainty that comes from not knowing for sure.

Part of the reason that Iago is able to deceive Othello is because of Othello's unwavering trust. Othello and Iago have been in many life and death situations together, and as soldiers, it is necessary for them to trust each other completely.

Extract from Unlocked Study Guide: Othello.

"She lov'd me for the dangers I had pass'd, and I lov'd her that she did pity them." (Act 1, Scene 3)

Othello is a Black man in a largely white society. He is a general in a mercenary army and a very skilled soldier.

He understands that he is in Venetian society, but not completely part of it - this is why he marries Desdemona in secret, because he knows that although Brabantio will never agree to it, once it has happened, he cannot oppose it.

Gradually, Othello is consumed by jealousy, and too late, he realizes that he has been tricked.

Extract from Unlocked Study Guide: Othello.

"Demand me nothing. What you know, you know." (Act 5, Scene 2)

Iago is a skilled manipulator who lies to almost everyone he meets. Driven by a hatred of his general, Iago proceeds to make Othello believe that his wife is unfaithful.

Iago is the antagonist of the play, and falls into the archetype of the 'deceiver', which was common in plays of Shakespeare's time. He presents himself as a weary, sometimes crude, but extremely loyal soldier, and it is this image of unwavering loyalty that allows him to deceive people.

Extract from Unlocked Study Guide: Othello.

"I have not deserved this." (Act 4, Scene 1)

Desdemona is the daughter of Brabantio, a respectable Venetian soldier. She is beautiful, virtuous, and possibly naive.

She is also a very trusting character, which makes her a tragic figure, as she is betrayed by almost everyone close to her. Iago plots against her, Othello insults and strikes her, and Emilia steals her handkerchief, only revealing what she has done when it is too late.

Desdemona protests her innocence right until the end and, with her dying breath, refuses to name Othello as her murderer.

Extract from Unlocked Study Guide: Othello.