2.2.3

Key Ideas

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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)

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.
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 Ideas

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  1. 1
    What position does Iago's character occupy within the play?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Key elements of Venetian society introduced in Act One Scene One:Fill in the list
  3. 3
    What does Iago focus on when bad-mouthing Othello? Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Examples of Iago's psychological manipulation:Fill in the list
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Key Themes

Key Events