Othello

Hi,
There is lots of information in the English threads about Blake (for AQA A2 English Literature) but far less for Othello. I am not taking the exam until June, but I wondered if anybody had any tips for success in this unit? What I really want to know, is how indepth do you need to know the play in terms of techniques used, number of quotes necessary etc.

Any help or ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

cappucino07

I've just done it...

Crucial is reading up on the the response of critics. I wouldn't say the techniqes used is that essential, remember the unit is called 'Texts in Time', so context and analysis of themes and character is far more important. You don't need that many quotes, simply remember the ones that reflect the play or characters as a whole (for example "the ills we do, their ills instruct us so" as said by Amelia, is indicative of the Shakesperean woman, "I am not what I am" sums up Iago etc).

Certain themes are pretty key
- critique of male jealousy (all the men are in one sense, driven by their desires and jealousy)
- indictment of Elizabethan attitudes towards women, the play isn't feminist (although an understanding of why it isn't is useful) but judged within the context of its time, it is definitely subversive
- racism (Greer is especially good on that - "mindless inventiveness of racist aggression")

It's important to learn a few quotes from critics, stuff like
- a "motiveless malignancy", Coleridge on Iago
- the "Othello Music" and "Iago Medicine", Harold Bloom
- "the mindless inventiveness of racist aggression", Germaine Greer on Iago

There is so much out there on Othello, just ignore most of it and learn only stuff you will actually use in the exam.

I did like a day's work and the exam went perfectly.