Othello by William Shakespeare Beware of jealousy, my lord. It is the green- eyed monster which doth mock the meat on which it feeds. Iago Beware of jealousy, my lord. It is the green- eyed monster which doth mock the meat on which it feeds. Iago

William Shakespeare Shakespeares Home Shakespeares Home William Shakespeare William Shakespeare 1564 – – 1616 Born in Stratford – upon –Avon, England Born in Stratford – upon –Avon, England Known as Bard of Avon Known as Bard of Avon Wrote 37 plays, 154 sonnets, various short poems Wrote 37 plays, 154 sonnets, various short poems

Master of Tragedy 10 of Shakespeares 37 plays were tragedies 10 of Shakespeares 37 plays were tragedies Created some of the most memorable characters in literature Created some of the most memorable characters in literature Almost 400 yrs. after his death, his plays are still the most widely performed Almost 400 yrs. after his death, his plays are still the most widely performed

Othello and Desdemona Theme of doomed lovers popular in Shakespeares work Theme of doomed lovers popular in Shakespeares work Othello fulfilled the concept of classic Greek tragic hero Othello fulfilled the concept of classic Greek tragic hero Desdemona represented the innocent, proper female whose power lay in her beauty Desdemona represented the innocent, proper female whose power lay in her beauty

Iago Iago personifies evil in Othello Iago personifies evil in Othello He is considered by most critics and Shakespeare fans to be one of the most interesting characters ever written He is considered by most critics and Shakespeare fans to be one of the most interesting characters ever written

Conflict among 3 main characters Othello appoints Cassio as his lieutenant rather than appointing Iago, but Iago feels he deserves the honor. Othello appoints Cassio as his lieutenant rather than appointing Iago, but Iago feels he deserves the honor. This exacerbates Iagos hatred towards Othello, a hatred Iago secretly feels because he suspects Othello has slept with his wife Emilia. This exacerbates Iagos hatred towards Othello, a hatred Iago secretly feels because he suspects Othello has slept with his wife Emilia. Iagos goal is to turn Othello against his wife Desdemona and ruin his life as he believes Othello has ruined his. Iagos goal is to turn Othello against his wife Desdemona and ruin his life as he believes Othello has ruined his.

Secondary Characters The minor characters in Othello make important contributions to the plot and serve as pawns in Iagos revenge plan. The minor characters in Othello make important contributions to the plot and serve as pawns in Iagos revenge plan.

Tragic Ending The jealousy ignited in Othello by Iagos subtle suggestions of Desdemonas infidelity inspired Othello to take the life of the woman he loved more than life itself The jealousy ignited in Othello by Iagos subtle suggestions of Desdemonas infidelity inspired Othello to take the life of the woman he loved more than life itself As in most traditional tragedies, the tragic hero falls to ruin because of a character flaw, in Othellos case – jealousy. As in most traditional tragedies, the tragic hero falls to ruin because of a character flaw, in Othellos case – jealousy.

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