KEY FACTS
Full title · The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice
Author · William Shakespeare
Type of work · Play
Genre · Tragedy
Language · English
Time and place written · Between 1601 and 1604, England
Date of first publication · 1622
Publisher · Thomas Walkley
Tone · Shakespeare clearly views the events of the play as tragic. He seems to view the marriage between Desdemona and Othello as noble and heroic, for the most part.
Setting (time) · Late sixteenth century, during the wars between Venice and Turkey
Setting (place) · Venice in Act I; the island of Cyprus thereafter
Protagonist · Othello
Major conflict · Othello and Desdemona marry and attempt to build a life together, despite their differences
Climax · The climax occurs at the end of Act III, scene iii, when Othello kneels with Iago and vows not to change course until he has achieved bloody revenge.
Falling action · Iago plants the handkerchief in Cassio’s room and later arranges a conversation with Cassio, which Othello watches and sees as
“proof” that Cassio and Desdemona have slept together. Iago unsuccessfully attempts to kill Cassio, and Othello smothers Desdemona with a pillow. Emilia exposes Iago’s deceptions, Othello kills himself, and Iago is taken away to be tortured.
Themes · The incompatibility of military heroism and love; the danger of isolation
Motifs · Sight and blindness; plants; animals; hell, demons, and monsters
Symbols · The handkerchief; the song
“Willow”
Foreshadowing · Othello and Desdemona’s speeches about love foreshadow the disaster to come; Othello’s description of his past and of his wooing of Desdemona foreshadow his suicide speech; Desdemona’s
“Willow” song and remarks to Emilia in Act IV, scene iii, foreshadow her death.