Key Ideas
English Lit: AQA A Level Othello, topic 2.2.3
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- The main element of conflict in the play (leading to tragedy) is set up here; namely Iago’s resentment and cunning nature.
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
- 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
- Iago’s corrupt nature and diabolical treachery here encourage the audience’s distaste for the character, and set him up as a tragic villain.
Test yourself on Key Ideas
What position does Iago's character occupy within the play?
What does Iago focus on when bad-mouthing Othello?