OTHELLO

- William Shakespeare
 Historical Background
Othello is a tragedy written by
William Shakespeare, likely
composed in 1603 or 1604, during
the later period of his career. The
play is set against the backdrop of
Venice and the island of Cyprus
and follows the tragic downfall of
Othello, a Moorish general in the
Venetian army. It explores themes
of jealousy, love, betrayal, racism,
and deception.
 Structure
Sets up the characters,
Act I: Exposition setting, and conflict.

Builds tension and deepens the

Act II: Rising Action conflict, as Iago’s manipulation starts
taking effect.
The psychological peak
Act III: Climax
where Othello succumbs to
jealousy.
The fallout from Othello’s emotional
Act IV: Falling Action transformation leads to irreversible
decisions.
Act V: Resolution The tragic consequences come to fruition,
with Othello and Desdemona dead and Iago
(Denouement) exposed.
Plot
 Othello is a tragic play by William Shakespeare that centers around
themes of jealousy, manipulation, and betrayal. The story follows
Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, who is deeply in love
with his wife, Desdemona. Othello's ensign, Iago, becomes envious of
Othello's success and is angered by being passed over for a
promotion in favor of Cassio. Iago begins to manipulate those around
him, planting seeds of doubt in Othello's mind about Desdemona's
fidelity, especially suggesting that she is having an affair with Cassio.
As Iago's schemes unfold, Othello becomes increasingly consumed by
jealousy and distrust. Despite Desdemona's innocence, Othello's
suspicions lead him to murder her. Realizing too late that he has been
deceived by Iago, Othello is overcome with guilt and takes his own
life. The play ends with Iago's treachery exposed, though his ultimate
fate remains unresolved, while the tragic consequences of his actions
leave Venice in turmoil.
 Symbols
Othello

01 02 03
The Handkerchief Animals The Candle (or Light)
• Symbol of Love and • Symbol of • Symbol of Life and
Fidelity Dehumanization Death
• Symbol of Betrayal and Racism • Symbol of Purity
and Jealousy
• Cultural
Significance
 Symbols
Othello

04 05 06
The Willow Song The Colour Black The Military Uniform
• Symbol of • Symbol of Othello’s • Symbol of Honor
Desdemona’s Fate Otherness and Masculinity
 Motifs
● Animals- Dehumanization and Racism
● Sight and Blindness- Perception vs. Reality
● Hell and the Devil- Evil and Damnation
● Magic and Witchcraft- Cultural Prejudices and
Supernatural Power
● Dreams- Unconscious Fears and Desires
● Handkerchief- Symbolic Object as a Motif
● Poison- Corruption of the Mind
 Techniques
● Dramatic Irony ● Repetition

● Soliloquies ● Irony of Reputation

● Symbolism ● Contrast and

● Imagery Juxtaposition

● Foreshadowing ● Tragic Flaw (Hamartia)

● Verbal Irony ● Catharsis

 Themes
Jealousy Race and Racism
The "Green-Eyed Monster": Othello as the "Other":
Jealousy is the play's dominant Othello’s identity as a Moor
theme. Othello’s overwhelming makes him an outsider in
jealousy is manipulated by Iago, Venetian society, and racism is
leading to the tragic downfall of a major issue in the play.
both Othello and Desdemona. Characters such as Iago,
Iago also exhibits jealousy Roderigo, and Brabantio express
towards Cassio and Othello, overt racist sentiments, which
making jealousy a driving force contribute to Othello's
behind the tragedy. insecurities and self-doubt,
influencing his tragic decisions.
 Themes
Manipulation and Love and Betrayal
Deception
Othello and Desdemona: The
Iago's Schemes: Iago’s play examines the fragility of
manipulation of Othello and love when trust is undermined.
other characters highlights the Othello and Desdemona’s love
destructive power of deceit. begins as strong and passionate
Iago deceives Othello into but is undone by Othello’s
believing that Desdemona is misguided belief that she has
unfaithful, weaving a web of lies betrayed him. This theme also
that causes Othello to question explores loyalty and the pain of
his own perceptions of reality. betrayal in relationships.
 Themes
Honor and Reputation Appearance vs. Reality
The Importance of False Perceptions: This theme
Reputation: For many highlights the difference
characters, reputation is a between how things appear and
matter of great importance. how they really are. Othello is
Othello's honor as a soldier and deceived by appearances—
leader is a source of pride, but particularly the handkerchief—
his perception of his honor is and fails to see the truth. Iago’s
shattered when he believes ability to present a façade of
Desdemona has been unfaithful. loyalty while hiding his true
Similarly, Cassio is deeply malicious nature drives the
troubled by the damage to his action of the play.
reputation after his demotion.
 Themes
Gender and Power Revenge
Women's Roles and Male Iago's Motivation: Revenge is
Dominance: The play presents a central motive for Iago, whose
women as being at the mercy of desire to punish Othello and
men’s power and judgment. Cassio fuels the tragic events of
Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca the play. His relentless pursuit
all suffer in different ways due of revenge, without clear cause,
to the actions and assumptions leads to the destruction of
of the men around them. The multiple lives.
play critiques the limited
agency and harsh judgments
imposed on women in a
patriarchal society.
Summary
 ACT 1
The play opens with Iago, who is angry that
Othello has promoted Cassio over him. He
conspires with Roderigo, who is in love with
Desdemona, to discredit Othello. Iago and
Roderigo inform Desdemona’s father,
Brabantio, of her secret marriage to Othello.
Brabantio is furious and accuses Othello of
using witchcraft to seduce Desdemona.
However, Othello defends himself before the
Duke of Venice, and Desdemona confirms her
love for him. The Duke supports the marriage
and sends Othello to Cyprus to defend against
a Turkish invasion.
 ACT 2
In Cyprus, the Turkish fleet is destroyed by a
storm, and the threat of invasion is gone.
Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and Iago all arrive
in Cyprus. Iago begins his scheme to ruin
Othello by getting Cassio drunk, leading to a
brawl in which Cassio wounds a fellow officer.
Othello, angry, strips Cassio of his rank. Iago
advises Cassio to seek Desdemona’s help in
getting reinstated, while secretly planning to
use this to make Othello jealous.
 ACT 3
Iago continues to manipulate Othello,
suggesting that Desdemona is unfaithful with
Cassio. Iago plants doubts in Othello’s mind,
and when Desdemona innocently pleads for
Cassio's reinstatement, Othello’s suspicions
grow. Iago further manipulates the situation by
obtaining Desdemona’s handkerchief through
his wife, Emilia, and planting it in Cassio’s
possession. Othello becomes convinced that
Desdemona has betrayed him and vows
revenge.
 ACT 4
Othello’s jealousy escalates as Iago arranges
for him to overhear a conversation between
Cassio and Iago about Cassio’s mistress,
Bianca. Othello mistakenly believes they are
discussing Desdemona. Othello confronts and
strikes Desdemona, despite her protests of
innocence. Meanwhile, Iago convinces Roderigo
to help him kill Cassio. Othello decides that he
must kill Desdemona.
 ACT 5
Iago’s plan begins to unravel. Roderigo attacks
Cassio but only wounds him; Iago then wounds
Cassio and kills Roderigo to prevent his
betrayal. Othello confronts Desdemona in her
bedchamber and, despite her pleas, smothers
her. Emilia discovers Desdemona’s murder and
exposes Iago’s plot. Othello realizes the truth
but is too late. Iago is arrested, but his ultimate
fate remains unknown. Overcome with guilt,
Othello takes his own life. The play ends with
Iago's betrayal exposed and multiple
characters dead.
Characters
Othello
• The protagonist, a Moorish
general in the Venetian
army.
• Noble, courageous, and
respected, but also
vulnerable to jealousy and
insecurity.
• He is manipulated by Iago
into believing that his wife
Desdemona has been
unfaithful, leading to his
Desdemona
• Othello’s wife, the daughter
of the Venetian nobleman
Brabantio.
• She is pure, loving, and loyal
but becomes a victim of
Othello’s jealousy and Iago’s
schemes.
• Her innocence makes her
tragic death even more
devastating.
Iago
• Othello's ensign (or ancient)
and the play’s primary
antagonist.
• Cunning, deceitful, and
manipulative, Iago engineers
Othello’s downfall out of
jealousy and resentment.
• His motiveless malignity and
ability to manipulate others
make him one of
Shakespeare’s most
 Cassio
• Othello’s loyal lieutenant,
young and inexperienced but
honorable.
• Iago’s plot centers around
making Othello believe that
Cassio is having an affair with
Desdemona.
• Though he falls from
Othello’s favor, Cassio
remains an innocent victim of
Iago’s treachery.
Emilia
• Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s
maid.
• She is cynical but devoted to
Desdemona.
• Unwittingly helps Iago by
stealing Desdemona’s
handkerchief, but later
reveals his plot at great
personal cost.
Roderigo
• A foolish Venetian nobleman
in love with Desdemona.
• Manipulated by Iago into
helping with his schemes.
• Despite being used by Iago,
Roderigo is more pitiable
than malevolent.
Brabantio
• Desdemona’s father and a
Venetian senator.
• He disapproves of
Desdemona’s marriage to
Othello, believing that
Othello has bewitched her.
• His opposition to the
marriage represents the
racial prejudice that Othello
faces.
Bianca
• A courtesan in love with
Cassio.
• She becomes an unwitting
pawn in Iago’s plot when
Cassio gives her
Desdemona’s handkerchief.
 Minor Characters

Duke of Lodovico and

Venice Montano Gratiano
The former governor of
The leader of Venice Venetian nobles who
Cyprus who becomes
who sends Othello to arrive in Cyprus towards
involved in the conflict
Cyprus to defend it the end of the play and
between Othello and
against the Turks. witness the tragic
Cassio.
events unfold.
The End