Literary Elements:
Allegory
A narrative that has 2 meanings one literal or surface meaning and the other metaphorical (the characters and settings represent abstract ideas or moral qualities.
An example of allegory from Othello is the handkerchief that Othello gives to his wife. It's the symbol of their love and when Desdemona loses it, it destroys their love. The moral is that their love is strong, when Desdemona loses this token, she has broken the marriage.
An example of allegory from Othello is the handkerchief that Othello gives to his wife. It's the symbol of their love and when Desdemona loses it, it destroys their love. The moral is that their love is strong, when Desdemona loses this token, she has broken the marriage.
Allusion
Any reference, direct or indirect, to a person, place, event, or character in history, literature, mythology, etc.
An example of allusion in the play is when Othello is talking about the goddess of Chasity. The goddess of Chasity is about having morals and being pure. Othello believes that Desdemona was pure until Iago told him that she might be unfaithful. That would make her a sinner. |
Catastrophe
The concluding action of a tragedy, where the principal character meets with death or other significant defeat.
The catastrophe is the play is when Othello kills himself because he is consumed with guilty for killing his innocent wife. Othello was consumed with anger and grief and he had thought that he did the right thing, until he had heard the truth. When he had realized what he had done wasn't right, he was more hurt then he was before. Othello thought that he was doing the right thing by killing her to prevent her from hurting more men. He decided it was too late for him so he decided to end his life.
The catastrophe is the play is when Othello kills himself because he is consumed with guilty for killing his innocent wife. Othello was consumed with anger and grief and he had thought that he did the right thing, until he had heard the truth. When he had realized what he had done wasn't right, he was more hurt then he was before. Othello thought that he was doing the right thing by killing her to prevent her from hurting more men. He decided it was too late for him so he decided to end his life.
Catharsis
Purgation or purification of the emotions of pity and fear from the viewing of a tragic drama.
Othello's jealousy, insecurity and fear of being left are catharsis. His insecurities were asking over him and he thought that he could ignore him. Iago made sure that his fears could not be ignored.
Othello's jealousy, insecurity and fear of being left are catharsis. His insecurities were asking over him and he thought that he could ignore him. Iago made sure that his fears could not be ignored.
Characters
Living beings in a work of fiction.
Iago: Standard-bearer, villain and manipulator. He destroys many lives in the play. His overall plan is to destroy the marriage of Othello and Desdemona. Othello: Protagonist, Moor, officer. He is married to Desdemona and loves her dearly. Iago's manipulation turn him to believe that he cannot trust his wife. He is insecure about her leaving him and his race. He believed everything that Iago has told him. Desdemona: Wife of Othello and Brabantio's daughter. She is the one who is killed in the play because of a sin she never committed. She loves Othello and she didn't know what she had done wrong. Brabantio: Father of Desdemona, rich, politician and sees his daughter's property. He believes that is daughter was drugged and forced to marry Othello. He doesn't like that this marriage is interracial. Rodrigo: Rich, not intelligent and Iago's friend, loves Desdemona. He believes that if he showers Desdemona with presents, she will love him. Asks Iago send her expensive jewelry. Michael Cassio: Othello's lieutenant, a young inexperienced soldier. Iago uses him for his plan by telling Othello that he is involved with his wife. Emilia: Iago's wife and a servant of Desdemona. Montano: Former Governor of Cyprus and a supporter of Othello. Bianca: a woman who is a prostitute that is involved with Michael Cassio. Lodovico: Desdemona's cousin. Gratiano: Brabantio's brother and he finds Cassio and Rodrigo injured The Duke of Venice: The leader of the government in Venice. He tells Brabantio to deal with his daughter's marriage and tells Othello to lead the forces. |
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Comic Relief |
Conceit |
Connotation
The suggested or emotional meaning of a word as compared with its dictionary definition.
A connotation in Othello is when he talks about his race and how insecure he feels about it. It puts a negative feel to the play. In the beginning Rodrigo makes racist remarks about Othello, "the thick-lips" "an old black ram" "is tupping your white ewe" and "the lascivious Moor". Since he is a Moor, this adds to his insecurities.
A connotation in Othello is when he talks about his race and how insecure he feels about it. It puts a negative feel to the play. In the beginning Rodrigo makes racist remarks about Othello, "the thick-lips" "an old black ram" "is tupping your white ewe" and "the lascivious Moor". Since he is a Moor, this adds to his insecurities.
Context
The setting or frame of reference in which an event takes place. This took place in 1570, when the war between Venice and Turkey was going on. The Turks attacked Venetian forces in Cyprus, so Othello took place there.
Effect The impression made by a literary work on a reader or society.
The effect on that the play had on the readers was that it was thrilling to read. Lying and manipulation that made this play great. It created the plot and gave the play a theme. |
HamartiaThe tragic flaw or error of judgment.
An example is when Othello believes anything thta iAgo puts in his head. Maybe Othello already had doubts, and Iago brought them to life. His lack of self confidence was his flaw that lead to his and his wife's death. |
Invocation
An address to a god or muse whose aid is sought.
When Iago uses the two-faced god Janus to explain to Othello how Desdemona has been like that to him. Its ironic how Iago is the one that is two-faced, he describes other people being two-faced. He is describing himself to the play.
When Iago uses the two-faced god Janus to explain to Othello how Desdemona has been like that to him. Its ironic how Iago is the one that is two-faced, he describes other people being two-faced. He is describing himself to the play.
Climax
A point of high emotional intensity often the protagonist and antagonist clash for the last time.
The climax of the play is when Othello finds out the truth, and what a regrettable thing he has done. Othello realizes that he killed an innocent woman for doing no wrong but having love for him. He is angry at Iago for lying to him but more importantly, angry at himself. He will never forgive himself. He is supposed to be an honorable leader, and this proves that he is no greater than anyone else.
The climax of the play is when Othello finds out the truth, and what a regrettable thing he has done. Othello realizes that he killed an innocent woman for doing no wrong but having love for him. He is angry at Iago for lying to him but more importantly, angry at himself. He will never forgive himself. He is supposed to be an honorable leader, and this proves that he is no greater than anyone else.
Tone
The writer’s or speaker’s attitude toward his subject, audience, or himself. The tone changes throughout the play. It starts as Iago being playful, then become serious. Iago starts to joke about Othello in the beginning of the play, but when he is talking to him, he is serious and confident. The play become serious when Iago sets up Michael Cassio and when he tells Othello not to trust him. He is serious about his plan and laughs about how he is destroying lives for his own entertainment.
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Tragedy A serious fiction involving the downfall of a hero or heroine.
The tragedy in the play is the jealousy that takes part in the characters. It begins with Rodrigo, when he hears that Desdemona and Othello got married. It continues with Iago when he destroys Othello's life. Jealousy ends with Othello, when he is overwhelmed with it and never question his wife about her infidelity. |
Tragic Flaw In a tragedy, the defect in the hero that leads to a downfall.
Othello's tragic flaw is his jealously. His jealousy is the key factor in this fplay. He was fooled to believe that Desdemona was cheating on him. If it wasn't for his jealousy and low self-esteem, this would be a boring play. |
Tragic IronyThe most noble and most deserving person, because of the very grounds of his or her excellence, dies in defeat.
Iago has excellence because he is confident about his manipulations. He never questions anything and he takes advantage of his luck. Even though the plan eventually falls and destroys lives, he was clever enough to tackle on the aspects of manipulation. |
SimileA figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid.
"Wears out his time, much like his master`s ass..." (Act 1, Scene 1). "The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts..." (Act 1, Scene 3). |