/ If that thou be'st a devil, I cannot kill thee" (5.2.286-287). He then fuels Othello’s own jealousy by leading him to believe that Desdemona and Cassio are in a relationship. It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul: The rhythm of the first line suggests that Othello believes that he is right about what he is about to do. The function of imagery in the mid-sixteenth century play Othello by William Shakespeare is to aid characterisation and define meaning in the play. Othello is infected by this imagery and begins to speak in the same terms. See if you can complete the grid and finish four points which explain what this speech reveals about the character at this point in the play. Iago introduces the animalistic imagery. If you say so, I hope you will not kill me. Log in or sign up to add this lesson to a Custom Course. Both metaphorical and literal meanings of the words are used to either kill or damage something.… Saylor.org Student Diary: Shakespeare's Subconscious? with the following lines: 'And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand. In the first two acts, almost all the animal references come from Iago, and the majority of the creatures mentioned are not particularly attractive ones. Lady Macbeth's words clearly evoke disgust and horror. — Othello 3.3.448–49 Simile: Like to the Pontic sea, Whose icy current and compulsive course Zachary, Owl Eyes Editor Subscribe to unlock » The second, however, invites your imagination to do some extra work. We then moved to Shakespeare's Othello, which shows characters using dialogue to tell stories, communicate their internal states, and emotionally manipulate each other to accomplish an agenda. That death’s unnatural that kills for loving. Shakespeare's Othello, like all of his plays, makes ample use of imagery. Othello still cares for Desdemona and does not want her to go to hell when she dies. According to Iago, there is something bestial and animalistic about Othello whom he believes is beastly, and somehow beneath everyone else in Venice because of his North African heritage. How do you think Desdemona feels in this moment? Shakespeare explained several charactersactions by comparing them to similarities in animals. In Act III Scene 3 he says: I had rather be a toad And live upon this vapour of a dungeon Than keep a corner in a … Writers use imagery in their work to help the audience paint such pictures in their minds. Take a look at Lucian Msamati performing Iago’s Act 1 Scene 3 soliloquy in the 2015 production. Get access risk-free for 30 days, He has several soliloquies and each of them tells you a lot about his character. This can have several purposes on stage. You can test out of the Thus we see how Iago's beastly imagery has taken root in Othello's mind. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal If I simply wanted to communicate literally, I could tell my friend that the seasons are changing and leaves are beginning to turn colors and fall. How many examples of animal imagery can you find in the play and what do they reveal about the character who uses them? [Scene Summary] How many examples of magical imagery can you find in the play and what do they reveal about the character who uses them? Royal Shakespeare Company. See if you can complete the grid and finish four points which explain what this speech reveals about the character at this point in the play. Shakespeare does this to create the illusion that Othello is perverted, has no control over his sexual urges, and is lustful, immoral and selfish to take the virginity of a young white girl. The following activity focuses on Othello’s speeches from the beginning and end of the play, allowing students the opportunity to explore changes in his character and language. Create an account to start this course today. Adam has an MA in English. In Act 1 Scene 1, he calls him a ‘Barbary horse’ and an ‘old black ram’, using these images to make Desdemona’s father angry and telling him that Othello and Desdemona ‘are making the beast with … The lines below occur early in Othello, when a gentleman recounts the massive storm that drowned the Turkish fleet: 'The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds. If you wrote down all those line-ending words, what would you think the soliloquy was about? Why is the light and dark imagery so important in the rest of the play? This soliloquy is written in verse, like a poem. so affected by the thought of Desdemona betraying him. He exudes confidence and experience. Perjury is when someone lies in court in front of a judge. Such a compliment would come from his pate, or head, the way “birdlime does from frieze,” “birdlime” being a very sticky substance and “frieze” being cloth. In Othello, Shakespeare makes use of colors to represent ideas or to set the mood for the scenes taking place. ‘If I would time expend with such a snipe / But for my sport and profit’. Select an option, Explanation Animal Imagery Iago uses a lot of animal imagery to describe Othello. See how many references to jealousy you can find in the play. ‘Witchcraft’ is referred to first in Act 1, when Brabantio accuses Othello of bewitching Desdemona. Why do you think he repeats Animal imagery helps further develop the play by showing who the characters truly were, makes everything said a lot more dramatic and the points a lot clearer. Othello is rife with animal metaphors. In Act 1 Scene 3, for example, he says Othello will be easily led ‘as asses are’. Click text to edit, Evidence At the beginning of Act 5 Scene 2, although Desdemona is on stage, she is asleep, and so Othello’s speech could be considered a soliloquy. Can you find lines in the speech where the normal rhythm is disturbed? Create your account. If I wanted to write more figuratively, I could incorporate some imagery: 'The old oaks are bleeding red and orange today! Can you find examples of alliteration and how do you think that alliteration affects the mood of the speech? courses that prepare you to earn When talking about his plans, Iago comes across as frustrated with Roderigo. All this serves to increase the nagging suspicions Othello is beginning to feel about his new wife. In William Shakespeare’s play “Othello” the use ofanimal imagery was evident throughout the telling ofthe story. It’s a great idea to keep a list of the key quotes and imagery used in each act. Does that feel right? Othello seems reluctant to kill Desdemona. — Desdemona (3.4.30–31) Personification: Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne to tyrannous hate! As you watch, see if you can notice the things Paapa tells us to look out for: What can we learn about Iago from this soliloquy? Since plays use dialogue to convey information, all imagery is spoken aloud between characters. Please either update your browser to the newest version, or choose an alternative browser – visit, And yet I fear you: for you’re fatal then. Iago wants revenge on Othello because he is jealous of Cassio’s promotion and jealous of Othello’s suspected relationship with his wife. A spirit which has not confessed and been forgiven by God. The function of imagery was predominately to generate characterisation and … During this soliloquy, the audience gets the sense that Iago is formulating his plans as he speaks. Did you know… We have over 220 college just create an account. To kill someone with an unprepared spirit would mean they would go to hell. the first word of each line? Imagery Hell and the devil. In this video, Hugh Quarshie explains who he thinks Othello is and why he is Take a look at the things he says immediately before and after his soliloquies. When Iago pushes Othello over the edge with jealousy, Othello explodes with the following: 'Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell! You can also print the PEE grids from each of the sections on this page to help students explore the language of central characters and some of the imagery used in more detail. Does Lucian emphasise the last word of each line in his performance? Later in the play, Othello himself uses similar language to describe the effect Desdemona has on him. What visual pictures do they suggest in your What might those disturbances suggest about how Othello feels? Ask yourself: How do the different sentence lengths affect the metre or rhythm? You’re shaking with violent anger: these are all signs of something bad but I really hope it isn’t aimed at me. Try applying these same strategies to all of Iago’s soliloquies to reveal any changes in his language and behaviour. Look particularly at Act 3 Scene 3, where Iago warns Othello to ‘beware, my Lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on’. Notice at what points Othello also starts to use the animal imagery. The activity can be found on pages 6 and 7 and takes approximately 20 minutes. Study.com has thousands of articles about every In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the use of imagery and metaphors is significant in conveying meaning as it helps to establish the dramatic atmosphere of the play and reinforce the main themes. We use cookies on this website. phrases like ‘it is the cause’, ‘put out the light’, ‘one more’? The antagonist Iago is defined through many different images, Some being the use of poison and soporifics, sleeping agents, … Animal Imagery: Iago calls Othello a ‘beast’, a ‘Barbary horse’ and an ‘old black ram’ to Brabantio, Desdemona’s father. See if you can complete the grid and finish four points which explain what this language shows about their relationship at this point in the play. If I simply wanted to communicate literally, I could tell my friend that the seasons are changing and leaves are beginning to turn colors and fall. Since the handkerchief was the first gift Desdemona received from Othello, she keeps it about her constantly as a symbol of Othello’s love. Iago in particular favors this strategy. In this speech, Othello is talking to the audience but also to Desdemona who is asleep. Just like detectives, we need to look for clues to help us answer those questions each time, and here you can find some interrogation techniques we use to analyse text, introduced by the actors that use them. Shakespeare often creates comparisons to show you something. The Imagery of Othello Talks In the tragedy Othello the Bard of Avon uses imagery to talk between the lines, to set moods, to create a more dramatic impact on the mind of the audience, and for other reasons. The wind catches the bright drops and whirls them into crisp tornadoes scented by chimney smoke and the sweet death of summer.'. Imagery can very effectively manipulate our emotions. He has also worked as a writing tutor and academic advisor. What does this show you? Imagery is one form of figurative language that uses words to paint vivid pictures for its audience. In each case, the … This lesson defined figurative language as language used by authors to go beyond literal description. See how many references you can find to Othello’s background and comments that point out he is a ‘Moor’ or different. You should always try and ask yourself, like actors do, why is the character saying what they are saying or doing what they are doing? This is when Iago refers to seeing Desdemona and Cassio sleeping together, but by using animal imagery, he words it in a way that seems bestial. The ideas of sin and forgiveness are really important in Othello and this language is tied into images of light and dark, and white and black. It will specifically delve into Shakespeare's usage of the device in his play, Othello, identifying the purpose of imagery in some key examples. Othello has several monologues in the play that help us to understand more about his emotional journey. Lots of characters in Othello can be considered ‘outsiders’. The function of imagery in the mid-sixteenth century play Othello by William Shakespeare is to aid characterisation and define meaning in the play. The handkerchief symbolizes different things to different characters. The director Oliver Parker uses sexual imagery effectively. Othello wants Desdemona to die after she’s admitted her wrongs and says here that he doesn’t want to kill her until that’s happened. In Othello, Shakespeare therefore conveys the tragedy of a great person's degradation by frequent use of animal imagery. Why might this be? Can you identify the moments in which each character realises they have been betrayed and how they each react differently? Shakespeare gives characters soliloquies for lots of different reasons. | Definition & Resources for Teachers, DSST Principles of Public Speaking: Study Guide & Test Prep, Social Psychology Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, NY Regents Exam - Physics: Help and Review, Social Issues of the Progressive Era (1900-1917), Quiz & Worksheet - Predicting Molecular Shape, Quiz & Worksheet - Developing Muscle Tension with Motor Unit Summation, Quiz & Worksheet - Computer Security & Threat Prevention, Quiz & Worksheet - Menses in the Uterine Cycle, Quiz & Worksheet - Accessory Glands in the Male Reproductive System, Peer Reviewing an Essay: Providing Feedback, Third Grade New York State Science Standards, Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers, Health and Medicine - Questions & Answers, Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. As it turns out, a few words are also sufficient to paint a verbal picture. Then he swings his sword at Iago, wounding him. Othello says of Iago, "I look down towards his feet; but that's a fable. Why do you think Shakespeare uses these references so much in the last scene? © Othello's jealousy impedes his ability to distinguish between reality and appearance. understand how a character is feeling in a monologue. As with all of Shakespeare’s plays, there are lots of themes that appear in Othello. Desdemona, for example, is described as ‘fair’ and ‘heavenly’ with Emilia telling Othello ‘O, the more angel she, and you the blacker devil!’, when he admits to killing his wife. Othello is betrayed by ‘honest’ Iago, Desdemona by her husband, Emilia by Iago, Roderigo by Iago and Cassio by Iago. His emotions are figuratively erupting within him, taking love off of the 'throne' of his heart and replacing it with hatred. The waves are so high that they seem to put out the stars (including Ursa Major, the bear constellation). 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