2.2.3
Key Ideas
Love, Historical Context and Historicism (Act 1, Scene 1)
Love, Historical Context and Historicism (Act 1, Scene 1)
Early on in the play, Shakespeare touches on the social expectations for men and women.
Patriarchy
Patriarchy
- Fathers in the Elizabethan era often chose husbands for their daughters. Marriages were arranged, driven by politics or business.
- So women could end up marrying men they did not know very well or love.
Gender inequality
Gender inequality
- The gender inequality of women in society is reflected by Iago and Brabantio referring to Desdemona’s elopement as her being ‘robb’d’ by ‘thieves’, emphasising that women were perceived as the property of men.
Othello
Othello
- We do not get to hear much about exactly who Desdemona has fallen in love with, but audiences might guess that it's the titular Othello.
- Othello’s own honour and status within this society, however, is noticeably absent from this scene. Iago makes racial slurs about Othello instead.
Othello and Desdemona
Othello and Desdemona
- The audience become aware that there are hostile conditions towards the love of Othello and Desdemona and that these conditions will continue to challenge them throughout the play.
Tragedy (Act 1, Scene 1)
Tragedy (Act 1, Scene 1)
As the opening scene, Act One Scene One introduces some fundamental aspects of Othello, and the main element of conflict in the play (leading to tragedy) is set up.
Iago’s chaotic deviance
Iago’s chaotic deviance
- As the opening scene, Act 1 Scene 1 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.
- His chaotic deviance already offers the audience an awareness of the possibilities of tragedy.
Iago
Iago
- The main element of conflict in the play (leading to tragedy) is set up here; namely Iago’s resentment and cunning nature.
Venetian society
Venetian society
- In this scene we see some key elements of Venetian society that will go on to shape the tragedy:
- Racism.
- Gender inequality.
- The highly-structured, militarised nature of society.
Manipulation
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.
- Such behaviour suggests a bad ending for all.
The tragic villain
The tragic villain
- Iago’s corrupt nature and diabolical treachery here encourage the audience’s distaste for the character, and set him up as a tragic villain.
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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