2.2.2

Key Themes

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'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

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

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.
Jump to other topics
1

Context

1.1

Introduction

1.1.1Specifications
1.2

Background

1.2.1Shakespeare1.2.2Love1.2.3Tragedy1.2.4Historical Context
1.3

Othello

1.3.1Setting1.3.2Social Issues
2

Act One: Summaries & Themes

2.1

Act and Scene Summaries

2.1.1Structure2.1.2The Exam
2.2

Scene One

2.2.1Key Events2.2.2Key Themes2.2.3Key Ideas
2.3

Scene Two

2.3.1Key Events2.3.2Key Themes2.3.3Key Ideas
2.4

Scene Three

2.4.1Key Events2.4.2Key Events 22.4.3Key Themes2.4.4Key Ideas
3

Act Two: Summaries & Themes

3.1

Scene One & Two

3.1.1Scene One: Events3.1.2Key Events 23.1.3Key Ideas: Love & Tragedy3.1.4Scene Two: Events
3.2

Scene Three

3.2.1Key Events3.2.2Key Ideas
4

Act Three: Summaries & Themes

4.1

Key Events

4.1.1Scene One & Two4.1.2Scene Three4.1.3Scene Three: Key Ideas4.1.4Scene Four
5

Act Four

5.1

Scene One

5.1.1Key Events5.1.2Key Ideas
5.2

Scene Two

5.2.1Key Events5.2.2Key Ideas
5.3

Scene Three

5.3.1Key Events5.3.2Key Ideas
6

Act Five

6.1

Scene One

6.1.1Key Events6.1.2Key Ideas
6.2

Scene Two

6.2.1Key Events6.2.2Key Ideas
7

Character Profiles

7.1

Major Characters

7.1.1Othello7.1.2Iago7.1.3Desdemona7.1.4Emilia7.1.5Cassio
7.2

Minor Characters

7.2.1Roderigo & Brabantio7.2.2Other Characters
8

Key Themes

8.1

Love & Tragedy

8.1.1Love8.1.2Love 28.1.3Tragedy8.1.4Tragedy 2
8.2

Other Key Themes

8.2.1Public versus Private8.2.2Appearance & Reality
9

Writing Techniques

9.1

Writing Techniques

9.1.1Structure9.1.2Genre9.1.3Form & Language9.1.4Language & Imagery
10

Critical Debates

10.1

Criticism & Performance

10.1.1Shakespeare's Legacy10.1.2Traditional10.1.3Modern & Contemporary
10.2

Approaches

10.2.1Feminist Approach10.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach10.2.3Marxist Approach
11

Approaching AQA English Literature

11.1

Specification A

11.1.1Specification A11.1.2Love Through the Ages
11.2

Specification B

11.2.1Specification B11.2.2Aspects of Tragedy
12

Issues of Assessment

12.1

The Exams

12.1.1AOs12.1.2Mark Scheme

Practice questions on Key Themes

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Fundamental aspects of _Othello_ introduced in Act One Scene One:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    Can you think of three other Shakespeare plays that open ‘in medias res’?Flashcard
  3. 3
    Purpose of opening ‘in medias res’:Fill in the list
  4. 4
    What is the main element of conflict in _Othello_?Flashcard
  5. 5
    Key elements of Venetian society introduced in Act One Scene One:Fill in the list
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Key Events

Key Ideas