Exploring Act 4 Scene 1 of 'Othello'
I can explore the changes in Othello's character in Act 4, Scene 1.
Adult supervision: Adult supervision required
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Printable resources
From Oak National Academy under the Open Government Licence. Some files include third-party material; see the credits at the foot of the page.
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What you'll learn
- Othello’s fit robs him of his ability to speak, the trait that distinguishes humans from animals.
- Consumed by jealousy, he has become the animal that the prejudiced characters have described him as being.
- Formally, Othello was the centre of attention as the military hero, he now lurks on the periphery, an outsider.
- Lodovico is used to draw attention, almost like a chorus to Othello's change.
Common mix-up
“The audience will perceive the tragic hero to be at complete fault for their downfall.”
In Othello, due to the amount of time we spend getting to know Iago, we can see the huge role Iago plays in Othello's character change.
Keywords
See all the words in the word bank
- Consumed
- To be so full of a feeling that it affects everything you do.
- Symbolic positioning
- When an object or character is placed in a position that symbolises a theme or idea.
- Outsider
- A person who does not belong to the wider community or group.
- Poignant
- Evoking deep sadness or regret.
Try the first question
Why is Act 3 Scene 3 of 'Othello' called 'The Temptation' scene?
- Desdemona tempts Cassio to have an affair with her
- Iago tempts Othello to divorce Desdemona
- Iago tempts Othello to probe for more information about Desdemona's 'infidelity'
- Cassio tempts Desdemona to run away with him
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