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Othello | Study Guide

William Shakespeare

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Othello | Infographic

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Check out this Infographic to learn more about William Shakespeare's Othello. Study visually with character maps, plot summaries, helpful context, and more.

othello-william-shakespeare_TESTIago, Act III, Scene IIIbeware, my lord, of jealousy!It is the green-eyed monster which doth mockThe meat it feeds on.SymbolsWILLIAM SHAKESPEARE1564–1616Unlike most of Shakespeare’s plays, Othello features a main character from North Africa—often portrayed by a black actor. Critics argue over the political, social, and racial meanings of the play; in Shakespeare’s day Moors like Othello were sometimes considered exotic, and some people worried they would force their religious beliefs on others. But the play can be understood in other ways as well.HonorAs characters interact, honor becomes a reason for death as well as a way of exploiting weakness.ThemesLoveLove is both wonderful and dangerous, as shown in characters’ blindness to Iago’s treachery. HandkerchiefSymbolizes Othello’s love for and trust in Desdemona The Color GreenTo Iago, symbolizes the mind and envy Willow TreeEmbodies Desdemona’s sadness that she and Othello have grown distantOthelloby the NumbersYear a “photonegative” version of Othello was staged, with an all-black cast with the exception of Patrick Stewart as OthelloCharacters who die in Othello: Roderigo, Desdemona, Othello, and EmiliaPoem the play is based on, Un Capitano Moro, published in 1604Oscar nominations for the 1965 film adaptation starring Laurence Olivier4141997CassioOthello’s honorable but easily coerced lieutenantEmiliaIago’s dutiful wife; can’t see Iago’s wickedness OthelloHeroic and honorable soldier; kills himself DesdemonaOthello’s young, loyal, determined brideIagoOthello’s intelligent, manipulative adviser Desperately loves Desdemona; easily manipulatedRoderigoAuthorRomanceBetraysMarriedMurdersSet in Venice and on the island of Cyprus in the mid-1500s, Othello is the tragic story of a hero betrayed by his own adviser. Mistrust and jealousy abound as the villainous adviser, Iago, falsely accuses Othello’s wife, Desdemona, of infidelity. Even Othello himself is not immune to the deadly combination of Iago’s lies and his own flaws.Be Careful Whom You TrustMAIN CHARACTERSSources: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elitCopyright © 2016 Course Hero, Inc.Sources: British Council, Encyclopaedia Britannica, The Globe Guide to Shakespeare by Andrew Dickson, The Guardian, IMDb, Shakespearean Criticism edited by Michelle Lee, Shakespeare Online, TelegraphCopyright © 2016 Course Hero, Inc.TragedyWilliam Shakespeare1603–04EnglishPlayAuthorYears WrittenOriginal LanguageOthelloBetrayalIago is highly trusted, allowing him to manipulate others easily.
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