OTHELLO Act two analysis and evaluation ACT 2

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“OTHELLO” Act two analysis and evaluation

“OTHELLO” Act two analysis and evaluation

ACT 2 SCENE 1

ACT 2 SCENE 1

Summary Act II and all subsequent acts take place in Cyprus, in the Venetian

Summary Act II and all subsequent acts take place in Cyprus, in the Venetian fortifications. Montano, Governor of Cyprus, awaits the arrival of the Venetian forces, delayed by a violent storm at sea. A messenger arrives with news that the Turkish fleet has been so damaged by the storm that it no longer threatens Cyprus. Cassio's ship, followed by Desdemona's ship, is the first Venetian ship to arrive. Desdemona's first question is for news of Othello. The two pass the time, waiting for news, and Iago watches, planning to catch Cassio in his own courtesies. Othello finally arrives, triumphant, and he, Desdemona, and the others go into the fortress. Iago stays behind to tell Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio and convince him to pick a fight with Cassio to cause mutiny and have him removed. Iago, in his second soliloquy, speaks again of his hatred for Othello. The details are not yet clear, but Iago plans to drive Othello mad.

Things to focus on: • Iago’s opinion of women. • Iago’s manipulation, scheming and

Things to focus on: • Iago’s opinion of women. • Iago’s manipulation, scheming and duplicity • How Othello reacts when he is reunited with Desdemona and what it reveals about him

Iago’s opinion of women

Iago’s opinion of women

■ Overall, Iago has a very misogynistic opinion of women, as demonstrated through his

■ Overall, Iago has a very misogynistic opinion of women, as demonstrated through his conversation with Emilia and Desdemona which, ostensibly, is humourous and playful banter but, in reality, is cruel, vindictive and malicious. ■ It could be argued that Iago’s opinion of women reflects the patriarchal view of females which prevailed in the early 17 th century in England.

“you rise to play and go to bed to work” (113) Iago implies that

“you rise to play and go to bed to work” (113) Iago implies that all women are lustful and depraved and that they are all promiscuous, almost like prostitutes. Iago does not simply have a low opinion of women, he also wants to degrade and humiliate them. Throughout this scene he uses much vulgar language to describe female sexuality. Iago’s description of female sexuality clearly reflects male fears about female sexual desire: at this time, women were expected to be pure, innocent and chaste and were not permitted to express themselves as sexual beings with natural sexual desires. The thought of women having the same desires as them provoked fear in men about the possibility that their women might be attracted to another man and have an affair. Men sought to restrict and control female sexuality.

Techniques Ø Characterisation Ø Dialogue

Techniques Ø Characterisation Ø Dialogue

“Sir, she would give you so much of her lips as of her tongue

“Sir, she would give you so much of her lips as of her tongue she oft bestows on me” (100 -101) Iago’s misogyny reflects the prevailing attitude of the time that female voices were not important and that female speech should be controlled and restricted by men. Iago is implying that Emilia often speaks out of turn and that she is a bad wife because she does not know her place and does not submit to his authority as much as he expects. For Iago, and for many men in England during this time period, female views and opinions were not worthy or deserving of being heard or considered.

Techniques Ø Characterisation Ø Dialogue

Techniques Ø Characterisation Ø Dialogue

Iago’s manipulation

Iago’s manipulation

“With as little a web as this I will ensnare as great a fly

“With as little a web as this I will ensnare as great a fly as Cassio” (165) Even while he is having “playful banter” with Desdemona and Emilia, Iago is actively plotting how to invent an affair between Cassio and Desdemona. Through an aside, Iago reveals to the audience his intricate plans to trap Cassio and use his good looks, charm and friendship with Desdemona to ensure his downfall. Cassio has no idea that his intelligence, fine manners and courtesy around Desdemona are being closely observed by Iago and that he intends to use his innocent behaviour to make him look guilty of betraying his friend, Othello.

N. B Throughout this scene, Shakespeare uses a number of asides to give the

N. B Throughout this scene, Shakespeare uses a number of asides to give the audience an insight into Iago’s malicious, malevolent and vengeful thoughts and reveal to us how Iago is manoeuvring and manipulating the other characters in order for him to gain his revenge against Othello and Cassio

Techniques Ø Aside Ø Metaphor Ø Dialogue Ø Characterisation

Techniques Ø Aside Ø Metaphor Ø Dialogue Ø Characterisation

“Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me for making him egregiously

“Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me for making him egregiously an ass” (234) In this soliloquy, Iago reveals how he intends to utilise Roderigo and Cassio in order to gain his revenge against Othello. Iago seems to be obsessed with the idea that Othello slept with Emilia and it is tormenting him. He will not be satisfied until he gets even with him by convincing Othello that Desdemona is an adulteress and thus destroy his marriage, his happiness and his life with jealousy. He wants Othello to feel the same torment and humiliation. He takes advantage of Roderigo’s love for Desdemona by convincing him that she is having an affair with Cassio and persuading him to confront Cassio and provoke him into disgracing himself. Iago will then manipulate Othello into dismissing Cassio as his lieutenant.

Techniques Ø Soliloquy Ø Dialogue Ø Characterisation

Techniques Ø Soliloquy Ø Dialogue Ø Characterisation

Othello’s love for Desdemona ■ An important aspect of Othello’s character development that we

Othello’s love for Desdemona ■ An important aspect of Othello’s character development that we must consider is how the language that he uses to speak of Desdemona and his love for her changes after Act 2 when Iago’s manipulation begins to pollute his mind. ■ In Act 2 Scene 1, we clearly see the strength of Othello’s love for Desdemona and the affection he shows towards her. He is overjoyed to see her and is blissfully happy and delighted to be married to her.

“I fear my soul hath her content so absolute that not another comfort like

“I fear my soul hath her content so absolute that not another comfort like to this succeeds in unknown fate” (188 -191) ■ When Othello and Desdemona are reunited on Cyprus after the storm he states that he is at the height of his happiness and that if he were to die at that moment he’d be completely happy as he’d probably never be as happy again in his life. ■ His mention of an “unknown fate” is an example of foreshadowing as it hints towards the tragic manner in which his marriage to Desdemona ends in jealousy, murder and suicide.

Techniques Ø Dialogue Ø Characterisation

Techniques Ø Dialogue Ø Characterisation

“If after every tempest come such calms, may the winds blow until they have

“If after every tempest come such calms, may the winds blow until they have wakened death” (185 -186) ■ Othello’s overwhelming and powerful feelings of love and devotion for Desdemona are clearly illustrated here as he suggests that he would be prepared to come through terrible dangers as long as he had Desdemona to greet him afterwards. ■ This is dramatic irony as, later in the play, Othello is unable to cope with the danger posed by Iago’s lies and manipulation and he succumbs to obsession and jealousy.

Techniques Ø Dialogue Ø Characterisation Ø Metaphor Ø Dramatic irony

Techniques Ø Dialogue Ø Characterisation Ø Metaphor Ø Dramatic irony

ACT 2 SCENE 2

ACT 2 SCENE 2

Summary The herald reads a proclamation declaring a night of general festivities to celebrate

Summary The herald reads a proclamation declaring a night of general festivities to celebrate both the destruction of the Turkish fleet and Othello's recent marriage.

ACT 2 SCENE 3

ACT 2 SCENE 3

Summary Cassio, commanding the night watch during the time of feasting and drinking, takes

Summary Cassio, commanding the night watch during the time of feasting and drinking, takes his orders from Othello, who directs the soldiers to drink with moderation and keep the peace. Cassio and Iago, his second in command, will see to this. Then Othello and Desdemona retire to bed, the first night they will spend together since their marriage. Alone, Iago makes suggestive remarks about Desdemona to Cassio, which Cassio turns aside; then Iago invites him to drink. Cassio declines, but Iago wheedles and urges him, until Cassio finally relents. Iago spurs Roderigo into a fight with Cassio; others join in and Iago sends Roderigo to ring the alarm bell, waking Othello and bringing him and his armed men to the spot. Othello demands to know who started the fight, and feigning reluctance, Iago names Cassio. Othello relieves Cassio of his post on the spot. Then he and Desdemona return to bed. Iago advises Cassio to ask Desdemona to speak on his behalf with her husband. Cassio agrees, and Iago uses his wife, Emilia, to arrange a private meeting between Cassio and Desdemona.

Things to focus on: • How Iago manipulates Cassio and sets him up before

Things to focus on: • How Iago manipulates Cassio and sets him up before the brawl • How Iago manipulates Othello after the brawl • Othello’s loss of control • How Iago manipulates Cassio after the brawl

1. How Iago manipulates Cassio and sets him up before the brawl In this

1. How Iago manipulates Cassio and sets him up before the brawl In this scene, Iago pretends to be Cassio’s trustworthy friend advisor in order to corrupt him in two ways: § By trying to get him to admit to having lustful thoughts for Desdemona § By trying to get him drunk In this way, Iago will be able to take his revenge on Cassio through deception and manipulation.

“He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense as my young mistress’ dog” (47

“He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense as my young mistress’ dog” (47 -48) In this soliloquy, Iago reveals his malevolent and sinister intentions and how he plans to ruin Cassio’s reputation, thus gaining his revenge. Iago knows that Cassio’s one flaw/weakness is alcohol and he is planning to trick Cassio into getting as drunk as possible so that he becomes argumentative and eager to fight. He will then encourage Roderigo to pick a fight with him (due to his jealousy over Desdemona). In the aftermath, Cassio’s reputation will be in tatters due to his loss of control as he will have disgraced himself and his commander, Othello.

Techniques ■ Soliloquy ■ Characterisation

Techniques ■ Soliloquy ■ Characterisation

2. How Iago manipulates Othello after the brawl ■ In this scene, Iago manipulates

2. How Iago manipulates Othello after the brawl ■ In this scene, Iago manipulates Othello into thinking that he is a loyal and honest soldier despite the fact that it was he who stagemanaged the brawl. ■ Iago pretends that he is merely at the scene of the brawl in order to calm it down/settle it, but he is the one who engineered it. ■ Iago is able to get away with providing Othello with a very doctored and deceptive version of events. No-one, including Othello, ever stops to question the person responsible for the fighting.

“I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do

“I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offence to Michael Cassio” (184 -185) When Othello asks Iago for an account of what caused the brawl and who was responsible, Iago pretends to be reluctant to blame Cassio and acts as though he is trying to protect his “friend”. He acts as though he would rather lose his tongue than ever say anything that could harm Cassio in any way. Due to Iago’s convincing act, Othello believes Iago and Cassio to be good friends. He assumes that Iago must, therefore, be downplaying what took place in order to protect Cassio’s reputation and that the truth is much worse than Iago’s account. Iago’s testimony provokes Othello to dismiss Cassio. Iago is able to increase Othello’s disgust at Cassio’s behaviour by seeming very reluctant to criticise him.

Techniques § Dialogue § Characterisation § Conflict

Techniques § Dialogue § Characterisation § Conflict

3. Othello’s loss of control ■ In this scene, Othello’s reputation as a coolheaded,

3. Othello’s loss of control ■ In this scene, Othello’s reputation as a coolheaded, calm and composed commander (which we have seen in Act 1) is undermined due to his anger in the aftermath of the brawl involving Cassio. ■ Othello’s loss of temper is a sign that, since arriving on Cyprus, he has begun to gradually lose control of himself- his thoughts, emotions and actions.

“My blood begins my safer guides to rule” (201) As Othello attempts to discover

“My blood begins my safer guides to rule” (201) As Othello attempts to discover the cause and culprits behind the brawl, he begins to be ruled more by passion than by good judgement: § He threatens to kill anyone who attempts to fight again § He casts judgement on the men responsible without hearing the facts, finding them guilty immediately § He swiftly dismisses Cassio without giving him a chance to defend himself § He threatens to make an example out of Cassio, despite him being a loyal friend. § He begins to use oaths (curses) such as “Zounds”.

Techniques § Dialogue § Characterisation

Techniques § Dialogue § Characterisation

4. How Iago manipulates Cassio after the brawl ■ In the aftermath of the

4. How Iago manipulates Cassio after the brawl ■ In the aftermath of the brawl, Cassio is in despair as he has lost his reputation as a noble soldier and Othello has dismissed him from his position as his lieutenant. ■ Iago takes advantage of Cassio’s misery and vulnerability in order to manipulate his thoughts. He adopts the façade of a caring, trustworthy and loyal friend in order to give Cassio advice that is intended to harm him but benefit Iago. ■ Cassio has no idea that Iago has sinister intentions and that he is being manipulated and manoeuvred into place. He believes Iago to be truthful and honest.

“What, man, there are ways to recover the general again” (268 -269) ■ Iago

“What, man, there are ways to recover the general again” (268 -269) ■ Iago reassures Cassio that he must not give up hope of winning back Othello’s favour and regaining his position of lieutenant. Iago persuades Cassio to take whatever steps necessary to convince Othello to give him another chance. ■ Iago convinces Cassio to go to Desdemona and ask her to appeal to Othello on his behalf. Iago convinces Cassio that this is the best way to heal the rift between him and Othello. ■ Cassio believes that Iago is helping him and giving him good advice but, in reality, Iago is setting a trap and has ulterior motives.

Techniques § Dialogue § Characterisation

Techniques § Dialogue § Characterisation

“I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear: That she repeals him for her body’s

“I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear: That she repeals him for her body’s lust” (354 -355) ■ In this soliloquy, Iago reveals how he is planning to use Cassio and Desdemona in order to manipulate and poison the thoughts of Othello. ■ When Cassio attempts to persuade Desdemona to help him win back Othello’s favour, and then when Desdemona pleads Cassio's case to Othello, Iago will turn Othello against Desdemona by convincing him that she is taking Cassio’s side due to her lust for him. The more she tries to help Cassio, the more it will seem like she loves him. In this way, Othello will lose confidence and trust in his wife.

Techniques § Soliloquy § Characterisation § Conflict

Techniques § Soliloquy § Characterisation § Conflict