8.2.1

Public versus Private

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Public versus Private

At various moments in the play, the private world of ‘love’ between Othello and Desdemona is opened up to the wider public world.

Private to public

Private to public

  • At various moments in the play, the private world of ‘love’ between Othello and Desdemona is opened up to the wider public world of either Venice or the island of Cyprus.
  • This is often not through Othello and Desdemona’s choice but is determined by other events in the tragedy.
Othello's marriage

Othello's marriage

  • One moment when this first occurs is when Roderigo and Iago awaken Brabantio and discuss openly what has happened with his daughter.
  • The marriage of Othello and Desdemona then becomes a source of public debate in front of the Duke of Venice.
  • Othello and Desdemona have only been married for a short while but their intimate and private world is already under public scrutiny.
Cyprus

Cyprus

  • Although it is not explicit, when Othello travels to Cyprus to become the new governor there, both he and Desdemona are under scrutiny because of the new role they have taken on.
  • Othello finds it hard to balance his public duty (inspecting the fortifications) with his private marriage (ensuring that Desdemona is happy).
Tragedy

Tragedy

  • At the end the tragedy that has occurred - the murders - are discovered by those who have arrived on Cyprus from Venice.
  • They are appalled at what has happened.
  • In particular, these discoveries relate to Gratiano and Ludovico.
  • Montano, who is already on Cyprus but who is a Venetian also fulfils this role.
Chaos

Chaos

  • The visitors witness Othello treatment of Desdemona (him publicly hitting her) and in the end, the breakdown of the family unit as they arrive in Othello and Desdemona’s bedroom.
  • It is Lodovico who has to convey the chaos back to the state of Venice at the end of the play.
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 Public versus Private

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

  1. 1
    Can you think of an example of when Othello and Desdemona's marriage is opened up to public scrutiny?Flashcard
  2. 2
    Othello and Desdemona's marriage in the public sphere:Fill in the list
  3. 3
    Instances of the breakdown of the family unit:Fill in the list
  4. 4
    Which character must convey the chaos back to the state of Venice at the end of the play?Multiple choice
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Tragedy 2

Appearance & Reality