2.2.2
Key Themes
'In medias res’
'In medias res’
The play opens ‘in medias res’ (in the middle of action or dialogue).
Introduction
Introduction
- As the opening scene, Act One Scene One introduces some fundamental aspects of Othello, including opening with an introduction to conflict and strife and familiarising the audience with the order of Venetian society contrasted with Iago’s chaotic deviance.
‘in medias res’
‘in medias res’
- The play opens ‘in medias res’ (in the middle of action or dialogue), a structural technique used often by Shakespeare in other plays such as Hamlet, Macbeth and The Tempest.
Purpose
Purpose
- This would help quieten the usually bawdy and loud Elizabethan audience, and immediately introduces notions of conflict and strife in the play.
- It sets up the main element of conflict in the play, namely Iago’s resentment and cunning nature.
Introduction to Venetian Society
Introduction to Venetian Society
In Act One Scene One we see some key elements of Venetian society: racism, gender inequality, and the highly structured, militarised nature of society.
Cassio and the military
Cassio and the military
- The importance of reputation in military matters is reflected through Iago’s dismissal of Michael Cassio as a soldier who has ‘never set a squadron in the field’ with ‘mere prattle without practice’.
Othello and the military
Othello and the military
- Instead of alluding to Othello’s honour and status, Iago and Roderigo speak about Othello in racial slurs - seeming to mock his appearance and sexual activity with his wife.
Gender inequality
Gender inequality
- The gender inequality of Elizabethan society is exposed as Iago and Brabantio refers to Desdemona’s elopement as her being ‘robb’d’ by ‘thieves’, emphasising that women were perceived as the property of men.
The Deviance of Iago
The Deviance of Iago
In Act One Scene One the audience is introduced to Iago’s ability to psychologically manipulate others.
Introduction
Introduction
- As the opening scene, Act One Scene One introduces some fundamental aspects of Othello, including opening with an introduction to conflict and strife and familiarising the audience with the order of Venetian society contrasted with Iago’s chaotic deviance.
Psychological manipulation
Psychological manipulation
- Iago’s ability to psychologically manipulate others is presented here.
- He influences Roderigo to provoke Brabantio and then incenses Brabantio’s anger and racial prejudices.
Racism
Racism
- Iago never directly names Othello in this scene – referring to him instead as a ‘Barbary horse’ or ‘devil’. Iago does not comment on Othello's status or might; he just talks about him in derogatory, racial slurs.
- Iago's corrupt nature and diabolical treachery are early warning signs that he is not a character to be liked or trusted.
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
Jump to other topics
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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