While this is a modern article, the points are timeless.
What parallels can you see with Othello’s behaviour? The domestic violence campaigner Leslie Morgan Steiner stated that “abuse thrives only in silence”. Is that the case in Othello?
Answer this question in your exercise book:
How might our modern perspective on domestic violence change how we view Desdemona?
Slide 8 - Diapositive
Slide 9 - Vidéo
Why does Desdemona defend Othello?
For two reasons:
the fact that she chose Othello and her social status.
As he was Desdemona’s choice, it would be deeply embarrassing to admit that she got it wrong and made an error of judgement, especially about a man whom everyone said was unsuitable
Although we want her to be more modern and take control of her life, we must respect her for fulfilling her responsibility as a wife.
In addition, especially for a Jacobean audience, Desdemona’s devotion adds to her purity and innocence hence compounding the tragedy that is to come.
Slide 10 - Diapositive
What really happened in Emilia's marriage according to Emilia?
”
Annotate your copy of the speech, looking for the following:
Emilia’s views on
marriage
trust
love
sex
How Emilia frames men and women
Any other language features of interest
Slide 11 - Diapositive
What really happened in Emilia's marriage according to Emilia?
”
Slide 12 - Diapositive
“It is their husbands’ fault if wives do fall”
Discuss:
Is Emilia right?
Is she simply jaded and disappointed in marriage?
Or is there some truth in what she says?
Slide 13 - Diapositive
Desdemona’s idealism vs Emilia’s realism
The topic of infidelity is further explored in this exchange.
We see Desdemona and Emilia discussing whether or not infidelity is ever warranted. Desdemona is shown, defending Othello staunchly, thereby aligning herself with fidelity.
By juxtaposing Desdemona's fidelity, virtue and purity to Emilia’s worldliness and bitterness toward marriage, Shakespeare highlights these differences in attitude.
Desdemona’s innocence and blind love is showcased in this scene and the dramatic irony is heightened because we know what Othello is planning.
Slide 14 - Diapositive
Slide 15 - Vidéo
We are here now
Slide 16 - Diapositive
The construction of a five act tragedy
ACT ONE: setting the scene, laying out the problem
ACT TWO: plot develops, but the tragedy is not yet fixed
ACT THREE: something happens that seals the tragedy; no going back now
ACT FOUR: things unravel, and do so faster and faster
ACT FIVE: a catastrophe happens (usually deaths) and the problem at the start is resolved. Normality resumes.