Oh Inhuman Dog!

We may love him for his wit, his manipulative skills, his discretion, his mystery, his raw talent or unique perspective, his off-color remarks, or simply his dedication to his goals. We may admire his uncanny ability to keep his hands clean while commanding others to become villains, his questionable treatment of his wife, or even the undeniable rationality of his arguments. But Iago is a villain. Despite this, he is the most fascinating character in Othello if not the most fascinating of all of Shakespeare's character (Cianflone will argue that Hamlet trumps Iago, but you can kiss up to him next year). What do you make of this fascination we have with a villain? Why is it Iago that keeps our interest rather than Othello? Does Iago deserve the title of the play? (Shakespeare does, afterall, title plays after the villains -- Richard III, for example, also considered an "underdog".)

You're the One That I Want....Oo Oo Oo, Honey

Who would you rather have for a wife -- Desdemona or Emilia? Let the fighting begin...

The Animal I've Become

Othello fulfills the racial stereotypes Iago introduces in the beginning of the text. He becomes the animal represented in the bestial imagery Iago uses to defame him -- he becomes verbally aggressive, physically violent, and irrational. There is an indication that he has lost his wits, and yet he remains determined in purpose and even attempts to justify his murderous actions (he's merely "saving" men from Desdemona's whoring). Do you sympathize with Othello's actions? Is he a fallen hero (a.k.a. tragic hero) or simply an idiot who deserve his loss of reputation, love, and sanity?

Killing Me Softly...

React to Desdemona's death. As discussed in class, Desdemona is smothered then somehow revived before dying again. Surprisingly more interesting then her bizarre death is her lines prior to her death where she reveals to Emilia that she (Des) is at fault for her own death -- not Othello, her "lord". Is this an admission of true guilt? Or is she such a Christian that she is merely forgiving Othello, her love, for his murderous actions?

Motiveless Malignity

Coleridge once said that Iago is the purest of villain, a "motiveless malignity" because of the lack of evidence for his motivation to undo Othello. And yet we DO have several motives that Iago reveals in his soliloquies -- his demotion, racist sentiments, rumors of Emilia's affair with Othello, and maybe even sadism or insanity. Stranger yet, however, is the motives he divulges in 2.1.307-334. He first compliments Othello's goodness and then reveals his "love" for Desdemona, promising the audience he will not rest until he is "evened wife for wife". What do you make about this new motive? Is Iago secretly in love with Desdemona? Is he jealous of Othello and Desdemona's love (maybe due to the lack of love in his own marriage...if there is a lack of love)? Or is his looking for excuses?

SBD -- Silent But Deadly

In Act 2, we see Iago crudely attack and generalize all women as whores with Desdemona and Emilia standing by. Although Desdemona vehemently fights back (and holds her own, you could argue), Emilia has only a few scattered one-liners in protest. Iago then continues to explain his "ideal woman" that goes beyond Usher's hit song to include "suckling fools and chronicling beer" as well as "having a tongue at will and yet never loud". How do you view Emilia's character? Do you think she is trying to act as Iago's "ideal wife"? Or do you believe the rumors abroad that Emilia slept with Othello and is, therefore, acting (or not acting) out of guilt? Is an affair in her nature? We know she decides to obey Iago's request to create "alone time" for Desdemona and Cassio, but do you think she's aware of Iago's evil plan? Why or why not?

Feminism in the 1600s?

Desdemona's father describes her as "a maiden never bold" and yet we see a confident, independent and fiercely loyal woman in 1.3. Do you think that Desdemona represents a feminist figure in Othello? Or, as a now-married young woman, desperately looking for an escape, is simply falling into stereotypes?

Who's Line is It Anyway?

Although Iago is the clear villain of the play, he is not the only skilled orator. Othello demonstrates his own rhetorical skill in his convincing speech to the senate in 1.3. Both men are overwhelmingly persuasive. As we have recently seen in the presidential debates (and according to the NHS curriculum), public speaking is an essential skill. Who do you think would more effectively win over an audience in a presidential debate?

The Dangers He Passed

We first see a glimpse of Othello and Desdemona's love in Act One, Scene 3. Othello tells the court that Desdemona loves him for the dangers that he has experienced in his life, and that he has "charmed" her with his adventurous tales. Similarly, Othello respects and admires Desdemona for her stability. Do you think that this can still be classified as true love or do they each simply love what the other represents? Consider each of their impassioned speeches to the courts regarding their affections for one another.