Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-2-3-key-ideas [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [A Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA A Level Othello](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello.md) › Key Ideas # 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 ![Patriarchy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/27fe5da8-2c83-4dde-b908-9212889244e4/wedding-marriage-.jpg) - 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/97e29084-bc25-44ed-b112-489189f98b39/burglary-theft-robber-criminal-crime-.png) - 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-12/8fdb1b47-979a-4b8c-8a19-739595bd2829/wedding-couple-love-black-white-wedding-marry-ring-.jpg) - 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/519aa5da-7118-4cae-b86f-c5a5a8406b8b/love-heart-.jpg) - 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/4a489c77-4b41-4bb5-be57-ab8b03d96068/devil-hell.jpg) - 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/4e2d8006-0db8-4d48-9e85-ca31a6daf776/devil-satan-hell-.jpg) - 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/c1ba6ff2-3f53-421d-9896-6f15fcb72b9b/protest-against-bnp-racist-party-nationalist-nazi-neo-alt-right-far-right-.jpg) - 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/d1fb9432-1d6b-45e7-9a3f-4e9556264fb8/schizophrenic-personality-psychosis-.jpg) - 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/3a28fe91-7b61-4b9e-a6e9-07ac52527315/Good-Evil-Tattoo-Hand-Fingers.jpg) - 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? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/eaa5fbae-2db3-4bc1-9205-b0228468355d/section/6c1c9941-4fa2-4cf2-9fa3-bea4b174fb5b/session) - Previous topic: [2.2.2 Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-2-2-key-themes.md) - Next topic: [2.3.1 Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-3-1-key-events.md) ## English Lit: AQA A Level Othello contents ### 1 Context - 1.1 Introduction - [1.1.1 Specifications](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/1-1-1-specifications.md) - 1.2 Background - [1.2.1 Shakespeare](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/1-2-1-shakespeare.md) - [1.2.2 Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/1-2-2-love.md) - [1.2.3 Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/1-2-3-tragedy.md) - [1.2.4 Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/1-2-4-historical-context.md) - 1.3 Othello - [1.3.1 Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/1-3-1-setting.md) - [1.3.2 Social Issues](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/1-3-2-social-issues.md) ### 2 Act One: Summaries & Themes - 2.1 Act and Scene Summaries - [2.1.1 Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-1-1-structure.md) - [2.1.2 The Exam](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-1-2-the-exam.md) - 2.2 Scene One - [2.2.1 Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-2-1-key-events.md) - [2.2.2 Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-2-2-key-themes.md) - [2.2.3 Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-2-3-key-ideas.md) - 2.3 Scene Two - [2.3.1 Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-3-1-key-events.md) - [2.3.2 Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-3-2-key-themes.md) - [2.3.3 Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-3-3-key-ideas.md) - 2.4 Scene Three - [2.4.1 Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-4-1-key-events.md) - [2.4.2 Key Events 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-4-2-key-events-2.md) - [2.4.3 Key Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-4-3-key-themes.md) - [2.4.4 Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/2-4-4-key-ideas.md) ### 3 Act Two: Summaries & Themes - 3.1 Scene One & Two - [3.1.1 Scene One: Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/3-1-1-scene-one-events.md) - [3.1.2 Key Events 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/3-1-2-key-events-2.md) - [3.1.3 Key Ideas: Love & Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/3-1-3-key-ideas-love-and-tragedy.md) - [3.1.4 Scene Two: Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/3-1-4-scene-two-events.md) - 3.2 Scene Three - [3.2.1 Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/3-2-1-key-events.md) - [3.2.2 Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/3-2-2-key-ideas.md) ### 4 Act Three: Summaries & Themes - 4.1 Key Events - [4.1.1 Scene One & Two](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/4-1-1-scene-one-and-two.md) - [4.1.2 Scene Three](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/4-1-2-scene-three.md) - [4.1.3 Scene Three: Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/4-1-3-scene-three-key-ideas.md) - [4.1.4 Scene Four](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/4-1-4-scene-four.md) ### 5 Act Four - 5.1 Scene One - [5.1.1 Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/5-1-1-key-events.md) - [5.1.2 Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/5-1-2-key-ideas.md) - 5.2 Scene Two - [5.2.1 Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/5-2-1-key-events.md) - [5.2.2 Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/5-2-2-key-ideas.md) - 5.3 Scene Three - [5.3.1 Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/5-3-1-key-events.md) - [5.3.2 Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/5-3-2-key-ideas.md) ### 6 Act Five - 6.1 Scene One - [6.1.1 Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/6-1-1-key-events.md) - [6.1.2 Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/6-1-2-key-ideas.md) - 6.2 Scene Two - [6.2.1 Key Events](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/6-2-1-key-events.md) - [6.2.2 Key Ideas](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/6-2-2-key-ideas.md) ### 7 Character Profiles - 7.1 Major Characters - [7.1.1 Othello](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/7-1-1-othello.md) - [7.1.2 Iago](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/7-1-2-iago.md) - [7.1.3 Desdemona](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/7-1-3-desdemona.md) - [7.1.4 Emilia](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/7-1-4-emilia.md) - [7.1.5 Cassio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/7-1-5-cassio.md) - 7.2 Minor Characters - [7.2.1 Roderigo & Brabantio](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/7-2-1-roderigo-and-brabantio.md) - [7.2.2 Other Characters](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/7-2-2-other-characters.md) ### 8 Key Themes - 8.1 Love & Tragedy - [8.1.1 Love](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/8-1-1-love.md) - [8.1.2 Love 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/8-1-2-love-2.md) - [8.1.3 Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/8-1-3-tragedy.md) - [8.1.4 Tragedy 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/8-1-4-tragedy-2.md) - 8.2 Other Key Themes - [8.2.1 Public versus Private](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/8-2-1-public-versus-private.md) - [8.2.2 Appearance & Reality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/8-2-2-appearance-and-reality.md) ### 9 Writing Techniques - 9.1 Writing Techniques - [9.1.1 Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/9-1-1-structure.md) - [9.1.2 Genre](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/9-1-2-genre.md) - [9.1.3 Form & Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/9-1-3-form-and-language.md) - [9.1.4 Language & Imagery](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/9-1-4-language-and-imagery.md) ### 10 Critical Debates - 10.1 Criticism & Performance - [10.1.1 Shakespeare's Legacy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/10-1-1-shakespeares-legacy.md) - [10.1.2 Traditional](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/10-1-2-traditional.md) - [10.1.3 Modern & Contemporary](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/10-1-3-modern-and-contemporary.md) - 10.2 Approaches - [10.2.1 Feminist Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/10-2-1-feminist-approach.md) - [10.2.2 Psychoanalytic Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/10-2-2-psychoanalytic-approach.md) - [10.2.3 Marxist Approach](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/10-2-3-marxist-approach.md) ### 11 Approaching AQA English Literature - 11.1 Specification A - [11.1.1 Specification A](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/11-1-1-specification-a.md) - [11.1.2 Love Through the Ages](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/11-1-2-love-through-the-ages.md) - 11.2 Specification B - [11.2.1 Specification B](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/11-2-1-specification-b.md) - [11.2.2 Aspects of Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/11-2-2-aspects-of-tragedy.md) ### 12 Issues of Assessment - 12.1 The Exams - [12.1.1 AOs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/12-1-1-aos.md) - [12.1.2 Mark Scheme](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/othello/12-1-2-mark-scheme.md)