Othello: Outline

Mariana Goncalves

Mr. George

AP World Literature

4 December 2013

Othello Outline

Thesis: Othello's downfall is ultimately caused by his tragic flaw of being unable to control his loving and trusting nature; the constant battle between this flaw and his honorable title in Venice causes him to lose control which reflects poorly on him.

A. While reflecting on the events that take place, Othello describes himself and reaches catharsis.

1. “Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely, but too well” (V.ii.403-404).
   a. Othello's most noted trait is his ability to be calm, collected and rational. He upholds this trait very well until his tragic flaw overpowers it.

B. Othello's propensity to trust and love undoubtedly gives Iago the power to manipulate him.

1. “Iago is most honest” (II.iii.7); “Now art thou my lieutenant” (III.iv.545).
   a. With his claim of loving not wisely but too well, Othello acknowledges his mistake in trusting Iago.

C. In order to maintain an honorable name, Othello attempts to carry out the justice of the state while in Cyprus.

1. “an honorable murderer” (V.ii.346)
   a. Although he is in Cyprus and has carried out a horrific deed, Othello wants to please the Venetians and add to his reputation. In doing so, he hopes to restore his nobility and honor in their eyes.
2. “For naught I did in hate, but all in honor” (V.ii.347).
   a. He is speaking to Lodovico and is trying to maintain his collected character; however, Othello is actually hiding the intense hatred he has built up inside him.
3. “All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. 'Tis gone, Arise black vengeance, from the hollow hell! Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne To tyrannous hate!” (III.iii.505-509).
   a. Othello explicitly says that his actions are being driven by pure hatred and that his motive is vengeance.

D. Despite the fact that he has overcome the stereotypes of being a Moor, Othello seems to embrace them in order to justify his reactions.

1. “rash and most unfortunate man” (V.ii.333).
   a. His tragic downfall does not make him a rash and unfortunate man, it only proves that a tragic hero's weakness is used to destroy them.

E. Othello's audacious act of killing Desdemona without proper evidence not only portrays his lack of control, but can also be interpreted as ignorance; however, this ignorance derives from an outer force and is not a permanent attribute.

1. “dolt, As ignorant as dirt!” (V.ii.199-200).
   a. From Emilia's perspective, Othello was too stupid and ignorant to deserve Desdemona because she was too pure and innocent for him.
2. “Then must you speak […] Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought, Perplexed in the extreme” (V.ii.403-406).
   a. Othello's claim is that an outer force stirred him up into becoming ignorant and jealous, thus causing his to act irrationally.

F. The diversity of the descriptions of Othello throughout the play parallels the extreme diversity in the mood of the play as the tragedy unfolds.