Shakespeare, William: Othello - An A-Z post

Picture from theshakespeareblog.com

Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare is probably the most well known English playright and poet. A staple of most academic English departments, by the time you leave high school you will at least know something about the 'Bard of Avon'.

Othello is the text of choice for this particular course, and is read alongside The Duchess of Malfi. Both are tragedy plays in which the main protaganist endures some kind of hardship and eventually ends up dead in some way.

Othello is a Moor who secretly marries the daughter of the Venetian senator. Although well respected as a soldier in the military, the mixed marriage causes upset for his new father-in-law.
In addition to this, Othello overlooks his ensign Iago for promotion, instead making Cassio his lieutenant. This does not sit well with Iago, who vows to get revenge for this oversight not only on Othello, but Cassio as well.
He proceeds to manipulate everyone within his circle, including his own wife, to this end and manages to get inside Othello's head and make him doubt his wife's commitment to him.

As with tragedy plays of this era there is plenty of bloodshed by the close of the play, with the main culprit at least escaping with his life if not his freedom.

Over the next two months I will get to know this play particularly well as it is one of the set texts on the exam, along with The Duchess of Malfi.




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This post is part of the A-Z Blogging Challenge. To get involved and check out other blogs taking part just click here. You won't be disappointed!


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