Literary form

• What does 'literary form' mean for your exam?

  'Literary form' refers to the analysis of how meanings are shaped in literary texts.
• What does AO2 ask you to focus on in your analysis?

  AO2 asks you to focus on how meanings are shaped in literary texts, rather than what the text is about.
• In your exam, what should you explain about the plot of Othello?

  You should explain how and why the plot is written, including character creation and staging.
• How does Shakespeare create his characters in Othello?

  Shakespeare creates his characters through various literary techniques and language choices.
• What are some elements that AO2 can include in your analysis?

  • Language analysis and techniques
  • Type of writing (e.g., sonnet, novel, play)
  • Structure
  • Genre
• How should AO2 be integrated into your essay?

  AO2 should be integrated throughout your essay, focusing on analysis rather than description.
• What is the typical plotline of a tragedy as seen in Othello?

  1. A noble hero suffers a reversal of fate.
  2. The hero's downfall is due to a key flaw or misjudgment.
  3. The plot usually culminates in the hero's death and the deaths of others.

  
• What is Othello's hamartia?

  Othello's hamartia is generally considered to be jealousy.
• What is anagnorisis in the context of a tragedy?

  Anagnorisis is a moment of realization where the hero becomes aware of their mistakes.
• What does catharsis refer to in a tragedy?

  Catharsis refers to the emotional release experienced by the audience as they witness the hero's downfall.
• How does Shakespeare's use of tragedy affect the audience's experience in Othello?

  It adds a sense of inevitability and hopelessness, increasing the emotional impact of the play.
• What is dramatic irony in Othello?

  Dramatic irony occurs when the audience knows something that the characters do not, heightening the sense of tragedy.
• What are the characteristics of the travel writing genre that influenced Shakespeare?

  • First-person eye-witness accounts
  • Blending myth with fact
  • Exoticizing the unknown
• How does Othello's speech in Act I Scene III relate to travel writing?

  Othello's speech draws on the genre of travel writing, presenting his background in an embellished manner.
• What effect does the travel writing genre have on Othello's character?

  It heightens the sense of mystery and exoticism surrounding Othello.
• How does Shakespeare use the morality play genre in Othello?

  Shakespeare uses elements of the morality play to externalize the internal struggle between good and evil within Othello.
• What are the key elements of Othello's structure?


  • Consists of five acts
  • Follows the tragic hero's rise and fall
  • Key repetitions create dramatic parallels
• What is the significance of the word "honest" in Othello?

  The word "honest" is repeated 52 times, often used by Othello to describe Iago, creating dramatic irony.
• How does the setting of Othello change throughout the play?

  The setting narrows from Venice to a single bedroom, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere.
• What is the effect of having no subplot in Othello?

  The absence of a subplot intensifies the focus on Iago's manipulations and Othello's reactions, heightening dramatic tension.
• How does language play a role in Othello?

  • Language is crucial for Iago's manipulation.
  • Othello's speech reflects his character's dignity and later breakdown.
  • The breakdown of language symbolizes the deterioration of relationships.

  
• What type of verse does Othello primarily use in the first half of the play?

  Othello primarily uses blank verse, which is unrhymed lines in iambic pentameter.
• What does the breakdown of Othello's language signify?

  The breakdown of Othello's language signifies his mental deterioration and loss of dignity.
• How does Iago's language differ when speaking to different characters?

  Iago shifts between prose and verse, adapting his style to manipulate different audiences.
• What is the effect of Iago's manipulation of language?

  Iago's manipulation of language creates confusion and allows him to deceive other characters.
• How does silence play a role in Iago's manipulation?

  Iago uses silence and reluctance to speak to intrigue Othello and manipulate his thoughts.