Major themes- briefly describe and find 3 quotes

Prejudice
Othello faces racial prejudice throughout the play due to his ethnicity. He is referred to as "the Moor"
and subjected to derogatory remarks by characters like Iago and Brabantio. Othello's marriage to
Desdemona, a white woman of noble birth, is seen as unacceptable by some characters solely because of
his race. Othello's cultural background and upbringing are also used against him. He is portrayed as an
outsider in Venetian society, and his exoticism is both admired and feared by those around him. This
cultural divide contributes to the animosity directed towards him.

"...your daughter covered with a Barbary horse, you'll have your nephews neigh to you, you'll have
coursers for cousins and jennets for germans" (Act 1 Scene 1)
"To fall in love with what she feared to look on! ...Against all rules of nature" (Act 1 Scene 3)
"And yet how nature erring for itself--" (Act 3 Scene 3)

Jealousy
Iago is consumed by jealousy and resentment towards Othello, believing that he has been unfairly
overlooked for promotion. To exact revenge, Iago manipulates Othello's insecurities and vulnerabilities,
planting seeds of doubt about Desdemona's fidelity. Othello's jealousy is stoked by Iago's scheme,
leading him to become increasingly suspicious of Desdemona's loyalty. Despite Desdemona's innocence
and unwavering love for him, Othello's jealousy blinds him to reason, causing him to question her
faithfulness.

“The knave is handsome, young, and hath all those requisites in him that folly and green minds look
after: a pestilent complete knave” (Act 2 Scene 1)
“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-ey'd monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (Act
3 Scene 3)
“But jealous souls will not be answer'd so; they are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they
are jealous: 'tis a monster begot upon itself, born on itself” (Act 3 Scene 4)

Appearance Vs Reality
Iago being the primary manipulator in the play, with his entire character built on deceiving others, he
presents himself as loyal and trustworthy while secretly plotting against Othello and other characters.
Iago's ability to manipulate appearances to serve his own agenda demonstrates the stark contrast
between outward appearances and inner reality. It also suggests how he conceals his true intentions
behind a mask of civility and politeness, hinting at the difficulty for characters like Othello to discern
the truth from a world of illusion.

"Knavery's plain face is never seen till used" (Act 2 Scene 1)

"Alas, thou echoest me, as if there were some monster in thy thought too hideous to be shown" (Act 3
Scene 3)
"If that the earth could teem with woman's tears, Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile." (Act 4
Scene 1)

Deception
Without deception, the central conflicts and betrayals in the story would not occur, and the plot would
not unfold as it does. Deception reveals the complex motivations of characters in the play. Iago's
jealousy and desire for revenge lead him to deceive others, while Othello's insecurities to manipulation
make him a prime target for Iago's schemes. It also creates dramatic irony, where the audience is aware
of the truth while the characters remain ignorant or deceived, heightening the tension of the play.

"I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at. I am not what I am." (Act 1, scene 1)
"I am glad of this; for now I shall have reason to show the love and duty that I bear you." (Act 3, scene
3)
"Your words and performances are no kin together." (Act 4, scene 2)
 Racism
Othello's ethnicity and status as a Moor set him apart from the other characters in the play. Throughout
the play, he is referred to derogatorily as "the Moor'' or "thick-lips''. His outsider status is emphasised
by his different cultural background and appearance, making him a target for discrimination. Brabatio
accuses Othello of using witchcraft to seduce Desdemona, implying that their union is unnatural and
morally wrong. Barbantio's objection to the marriage based on Othello's race further underscores the
racial tensions present in Venetian society.

"Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom Of such a thing as thou." (Act 1 Scene 2)
"Bondslaves and pagans shall our statesmen be." (Act 1 Scene 3)
“Foh! One may smell in such a will most rank, Foul disproportion thoughts unnatural—” (Act 3 Scene 3)

Manhood and Honor

Othello's sense of honour as a warrior is crucial to his identity and self-worth. He prides himself on his
military achievements and reputation, which earn him respect and admiration from others, including
Desdemona and the Venetian state. However, his honour is fragile and easily manipulated by Iago's
insinuations about Desdemona's infidelity, leading to his tragic downfall. Cassio's reputation and
honour are tarnished when he is implicated in a drunken brawl instigated by Iago. Despite his
innocence, Cassio's temporary loss of honour jeopardises his career and relationships, highlighting the
fragility of reputation in the play.

"Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them" (Act 1 Scene 2)
“O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial” (Act
2 Scene 3)
“And say besides that in Aleppo once, where a malignant and a turbaned Turk beat a Venetian and
traduced the state, I took by the throat the circumcised dog and smote him—thus." (Act 5 Scene 2)

Women and Sexuality

Despite Desdemona's virtuous portrayal, she also exhibits agency and independence in her interactions
with other characters. She defies her father's wishes by marrying Othello, asserting her autonomy and
right to choose her own husband. Desdemona's agency challenges traditional gender roles and
expectations, suggesting that women are capable of making their own decisions and shaping their own
destinies. The sexuality of female characters, particularly Desdemona's, is portrayed as a source of fear
and anxiety for male characters like Othello and Barbantio. Othello's jealousy is fueled by his fear of
Desdemona's alleged infidelity, while Barbantio's objections to their marriage are based on his belief
that Desdemona's sexuality poses a threat to his honour.

"O treason of the blood! Fathers, from hence not trust your daughters minds" (Act 1 Scene 1)
"And she can weep, sir, weep. And she's obedient" (Act 4 Scene 1)
"Throwing restraint upon us; or say they strike us" (Act 4 Scene 3)

Symbols - briefly describe and find 3 quotes

Black Ram White Ewe
The stark contrast between the “black ram” and the “white ewe” instantly brings one to believe that
Othello is a dark entity that is harming the pure Desdemona. Within the Jacobean period, racism was
abundant within society and this is heavily reflected by Shakespeare’s representation of this form of
discrimination in his play. During this period, the devil was represented through the colour black, thus
one can see that Iago’s use of the adjective “black” that he regards Othello as the devil and that his
actions towards Desdemona are that of malicious intent rather than love. Desdemona's hand is
repeatedly referred to as "white" in the play, symbolising her purity, innocence, and vulnerability. This
contrasts with the darker skin of Othello and reinforces the racial and cultural divide between them.

“Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe.” (Act 1 Scene 1)
Handkerchief
It is first introduced as a gift from Othello to Desdemona. It is an heirloom, passed down from Othello's
mother, and he presents it to Desdemona as a token of his love. Desdemona cherishes the handkerchief
deeply, viewing it as a symbol of her husband's affection and their marital bond. However, the
handkerchief becomes a focal point of manipulation and deceit when Iago cunningly convinces Othello
that Desdemona has given it to Cassio. Iago plants seeds of doubt in Othello's mind, suggesting that the
handkerchief is evidence of Desdemona's infidelity. Othello's jealousy is inflamed by the supposed loss
of the handkerchief, which he sees as a symbol of his wife's betrayal.

"My wayward husband hath a hundred times wooed me to steal it... what he will do with it heaven
knows, not I. I nothing but to please his fantasy" (Act 3 Scene 3)
"While she kept it, 'twould make her amiable and subdue my father entirely to her love, but if she lost it
or made a gift of it, my father's eye should hold her loathéd and his spirits should hunt after new
fancies" (Act 3 Scene 4)
"The handkerchief which I so loved and gave thee, thou gav'st to Cassio... I saw the handkerchief" (Act 5
Scene 2)

Animals
Iago uses racially charged animal imagery to provoke Brabantio's anger at Othello's marriage to
Desdemona. He describes Othello as an animal, specifically a "Barbary horse," implying that Othello is
a wild and uncontrollable creature. Iago is often compared to a snake or devil, symbolising his deceitful
and manipulative nature. His cunning and malicious actions throughout the play are likened to the
stealthy movements and poisonous bite of a snake.

"The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem to be so; and will as
tenderly be led by th' nose as asses are." (Act 1 Scene 3)
“If any wretch has put this in your head, let heaven requite it with the serpent's curse.” (Act 4 Scene 2)

Willow song
The Willow Song is initially a folk ballad about a man who was betrayed by his lover. By changing the
victim from male to female, Shakespeare makes it more relevant to Desdemona’s love for Othello. Like
the song’s character, Desdemona laments about her husband’s cruelty and his doubts about her fidelity.
However, she remains loving and loyal to Othello. The song also contributes to revealing her pure,
sincere nature. The symbolic meaning of the willow tree is essential for the image of the character.
Being a symbol of a woman left by her lover, willow is the reflection of Desdemona.

“She had a song of “Willow,” an old thing ʼtwas, but it expressed her fortune and she died singing it.”
(Act 4 Scene 3)
“Sing willow, willow, willow. If I court more women you’ll couch with more men— so, get thee gone,
good night.” (Act 4 Scene 3)
“Willow, willow, willow— Moor, she was chaste, she loved thee, cruel Moor.” (Act 5 Scene 2)

Candle
Othello compares his decision to kill Desdemona to extinguishing a candle, suggesting that he believes
he is putting an end to something that was once bright and beautiful. This metaphor highlights the
tragic unravelling of their relationship and the irreversible damage caused by jealousy and distrust. The
illumination from the candle signifies truth and wisdom, Othello blowing it out signifies his
unwillingness to confront Desdemona’s innocence.

“Put out the light, then put out the light!” (Act 5 Scene 2)

The Devil
The dichotomy of Iago’s character echoes the traditional portrayal of the devil as a master of deception,
capable of appearing trustworthy while harbouring malicious motives.Like the devil, Iago tempts and
manipulates other characters, particularly Othello, into committing acts of jealousy and violence. He
preys on Othello's insecurities and vulnerabilities, gradually leading him down a path of destruction.
Similar to the devil's indifference to human suffering, Iago demonstrates a complete lack of empathy for
the consequences of his actions. He manipulates and destroys the lives of those around him without
remorse, embodying the malevolent nature of the devil.

"the devil will make a grandsire of you: arise, I say" (Act 1 Scene 1)
"It is hypocrisy against the devil... the devil in their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven" (Act 4 Scene
1)
"O, the more angel she, and you the blacker devil!" (Act 5 Scene 2)

Water
Water is often associated with purification and cleansing rituals. In "Othello," characters like
Desdemona and Emilia speak of washing away sins and guilt with water. However, despite her attempts
at purification, her innocence is ultimately unable to protect her from Othello's jealousy. Water is also
associated with chaos and destruction in "Othello." The storm that Othello and Desdemona encounter
on their journey to Cyprus serves as a prelude to the emotional turmoil and tragedy that unfolds later in
the play. The tempest symbolises the turbulent emotions and conflicts that threaten to engulf the
characters' lives.

“Like to the Pontic sea, Whose icy current and compulsive course Ne'er feels retiring ebb, but keeps due
on To the Propontic and the Hellespont, Even so my bloody thoughts, with violent pace, Shall ne'er look
back, ne'er ebb to humble love, Till that a capable and wide revenge Swallow them up.” (Act 3 Scene 3)
“There where I have garnered up my heart, Where either I must live or bear no life; The fountain from
the which my current runs Or else dries up—to be discarded thence, Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads
To knot and gender in” (Act 4 Scene 2)
“She was false as water.” (Act 5 Scene 2)

Colours
Red: symbolises passion, desire, and violence. It is associated with love and sexuality, as well as with
bloodshed and death. The handkerchief, which is stained with strawberries initially representing
Desdemona's love and fidelity, however the danger conveyed by the colour foreshadows her eventual
death.
Green: often associated with envy and jealousy, as well as with sickness and decay; Iago's jealousy of
Cassio and desire for revenge against Othello. Due to Iago’s manipulation of Othello, a metaphorical
green curtain blinded his eyes from witnessing the truth

Turn thy complexion there, Patience, thou young and rose-lipped cherubin,— Ay, there, look grim as
hell! (Act 4 Scene 2)
Prithee, hie thee, he’ll come anon— Sing all a green willow must be my garland.
Let nobody blame him, his scorn I approve— (Act 4 Scene 3)