Revision Cards - Othello: A Level, Genre

Revise the key points

Othello is an atypical tragedy in that it is based on domestic events between Othello and Desdemona rather than the fall of kings or ‘great men and nations’.
Othello is influenced by Revenge Tragedy, although the evil revenger, Iago, does not die, as would be expected.
Othello is influenced by the conventions of Greek tragedy: for example, the play is based on conflict and the protagonist’s errors of judgement.
The ending of the play evokes the emotions that Aristotle said tragedy should evoke: pity and fear.

Genre

Othello: A Level

The structure of the play includes important examples of repetition: for example, Iago repeatedly poisons Othello’s mind in long exchanges.
The structure of the play relies on mirroring for its dramatic impact: for example, Bianca’s sexual jealousy mirrors Othello’s.
Venice frames the action in Cyprus; the play opens and closes with the Venetian state exercising its power and defining Othello’s character.
The play is structured so that Iago seems to be stage managing events; his soliloquies give us insight into how he directs what happens.

Genre

Othello: A Level

Iago speaks over one third of the lines in the play, showing how dominant he is as the villain.
Iago adapts his style to suit his purposes: for example, insults to cast suspicion on Bianca, a parody of the language of love to hoodwink Othello.
Iago’s soliloquies are characterised by images of evil, poison and infection.
Iago’s vulgar and racist use of language to describe Othello in Act I Scene 1 reflects his true character.

Genre

Othello: A Level

‘Valiant’ Othello’s poetic speech style is characterised by his use of measured blank verse.
Othello uses military imagery when he talks about losing his love, for example ‘Othello’s occupation’s gone’ (III.3.360).
Othello uses disjointed prose and a third person viewpoint when his mind is poisoned by Iago.
Othello’s speech is full of violent and bloody imagery when he seeks revenge on Desdemona and Cassio.

Genre

Othello: A Level

The battle between good and evil is dramatised by using images of light and dark.
The images of jealousy make it clear that it is an irrational and monstrous force.
The imagery used to describe Desdemona often objectifies her as a precious, beautiful possession.
The images of animals used throughout the play chart the progress of Iago’s evil and Othello’s downfall.