10.2.3
Marxist Approach
A Marxist Approach
A Marxist Approach
Marxist literary criticism must be seen in the light of a Marxist view of history, in which class struggle is essential.
Marxism
Marxism
- Marxist literary criticism must be seen in the light of a Marxist view of history, in which class struggle is essential.
- The connections between literature and the economic structure of the society in which it was written must be made relevant.
Othello
Othello
- In terms of Othello, this would be uniquely concerned with the collision of European culture and money with African ethnicity and knowledge.
- Othello is ‘base’ and at the bottom of society normally, but given his military prowess, he has risen through the class system.
Social mobility
Social mobility
- However, despite his marriage to Desdemona, tragedy still results.
- Shakespeare’s play therefore appears to argue that movement through the classes is very difficult to achieve in practice.
Economic power
Economic power
- We might also talk about the draw of the growing financial and economic power of Venice compared to the rest of Europe during this period which seems to have its eye on the ‘opening up’ of the East (Cyprus) in terms of seeking the greater wealth there.
Love and tragedy
Love and tragedy
- Marxist criticism would also view this expansionist ideology as hugely problematical and that the play offers a vision of how the chase for economic success results in chaos and tragedy.
- This relates to both Love through the Ages and the context of Tragedy.
1Context
1.1Introduction
1.3Othello
2Act One: Summaries & Themes
2.1Act and Scene Summaries
2.2Scene One
2.3Scene Two
3Act Two: Summaries & Themes
3.1Scene One & Two
3.2Scene Three
4Act Three: Summaries & Themes
5Act Four
5.1Scene One
5.2Scene Two
5.3Scene Three
6Act Five
6.1Scene One
6.2Scene Two
7Character Profiles
7.1Major Characters
7.2Minor Characters
8Key Themes
8.1Love & Tragedy
8.2Other Key Themes
9Writing Techniques
9.1Writing Techniques
10Critical Debates
10.1Criticism & Performance
11Approaching AQA English Literature
11.1Specification A
11.2Specification B
12Issues of Assessment
12.1The Exams
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1Context
1.1Introduction
1.3Othello
2Act One: Summaries & Themes
2.1Act and Scene Summaries
2.2Scene One
2.3Scene Two
3Act Two: Summaries & Themes
3.1Scene One & Two
3.2Scene Three
4Act Three: Summaries & Themes
5Act Four
5.1Scene One
5.2Scene Two
5.3Scene Three
6Act Five
6.1Scene One
6.2Scene Two
7Character Profiles
7.1Major Characters
7.2Minor Characters
8Key Themes
8.1Love & Tragedy
8.2Other Key Themes
9Writing Techniques
9.1Writing Techniques
10Critical Debates
10.1Criticism & Performance
11Approaching AQA English Literature
11.1Specification A
11.2Specification B
12Issues of Assessment
12.1The Exams
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