Othello Essay Topics & Ideas
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Shakespeare’s play Othello was written in 1604. The author took the work of Giraldi Chinito “The Venetian Moor” as the basis for the plot of the tragedy. This is a sad story about lost trust, love, the meaning of life.
Desdemona escapes with the Moor Othello to secretly marry. Iago, Lieutenant Othello, wants to take revenge on him for the fact that he was appointed lieutenant, but Cassio. He tells Desdemona’s father about his daughter’s flight, but he blesses the marriage. Othello is sent to Crete, Desdemona goes with him. There Iago assures Othello that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio, and arranges everything in such a way that the general believes him. Eaten by jealousy, Othello kills his wife, but after death, he learns that she was unfairly slandered. He commits suicide.
Tragedy teaches that one should not blindly follow the lead of one’s feelings, that all impulses must be supported by the arguments of reason.
How to Choose Essay Topic on Othello?
There are many ways to choose a topic for your essay. The most important thing is to think about what you want to say, and how you want it to come across.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ways people choose their topics:
- Choose a topic that interests you personally. This can be a great way to get started because it will help you feel more passionate about your writing, which is an important part of being able to make it interesting for others as well!
- Choose a topic that you already know a lot about, like one of your hobbies or interests that has been around since childhood (like playing sports). This can be helpful because it means that you won’t have to spend time researching something new before starting on your essay—you’ll just have to focus on organizing all of your thoughts into one coherent paper!
- Choose a topic that has been covered by other writers in books or magazines so that you don’t have to do everything from scratch yourself! You can use these sources as inspiration for how much information should include in each section (i.e., introduction, body paragraphs) but then add in new ideas or perspectives based on what YOU know about the topic too!
Tips on How to Write Othello Essay
- Don’t just summarize the plot of Othello. You need to analyze and critique it as well.
- The play is about a lot more than just jealousy and trust issues, so don’t try to make it all about those things.
- Make sure that you know who wrote the play and when it was written, because that might change how you interpret it.
- Don’t just describe what happens in the play—explain why it matters and how it works in context!
- Remember that Shakespeare’s plays are always meant to be performed on stage, not read on paper, so think about how they would have been performed in his time instead of just reading them as if they were novels.
✒️ Argumentative Othello Essay Topics
Unlike many of Shakespeare’s plays, Othello wasn’t adapted during the Restoration period
- ‘Exceeding Honesty’ Investigating The Heroic Trait In The Character of Iago In Shakespeare’s Othello
- ‘Othello’: A Tragedy of Deception Or A Tragedy of Self-Deception?
- “Aristotle’s Definition of The Tragic Hero and Irony In Tragedy” Oedipus Rex, Othello, and Death of A Salesman
- Character Analysis For Othello’s Iago
- Character Flaws In Othello
- Dramatic Irony In Othello
- Dualities In Othello
- Iago’s Motives in Othello
- Important Quotes In Othello
- Othello and Desdemona’s Romance
- The Role of Reputation in Shakespeare’s Othello
- Gender Role and Tragedy Othello
- My Perception of William Shakespeare’s Othello
- Comparing Shakespeare’s Othello with Conrad’s Heart of Darkness
- The Devil Himself – Iago In Othello
- The Effects of Iago’s Meddling On Othello
- The Figure of The Moor In Shakespeare’s Othello and Cinthio’s Hecatommithi.
- The Moor of Venice: The Skeleton of Shakespeare’s Othello
- The Role of Reputation In Othello
- The Role of Women In Othello: A Feminist Reading
- The Theme of Madness In Shakespeare’s King Lear and Othello
- The Two Settings of Othello
- Othello – Change of Characters
- Shakespeare’s Othello: Love, Infidelity and Loss
- Shakespeare’s View of Women In Othello
- Iago’s’ Motivation in Othello
- Shakespeare’s Play Othello Demonstrates The Weakness of Human Judgement
- Othello Evaluation Act 1 Scene 3, Lines 238 – 270
- Love In Othello
- Manipulation In Othello
- Manipulative Letter To Iago – ‘Othello’
- Racism, misogyny, and ‘motiveless malignity’ in Othello
- The Meaning of Othello
- Iago’S Soliloquies In William Shakespeare’S Play Othello
- Feminism In Othello
- Othello: Coleridge Said That Iago Was A “Motiveless Malignity”
- Othello: He Defencies In Iago’s Character
- Othello: In The Opening Scene, The Play’s Villain, Iago, Openly Declares His Type of Character, His Intentions, and His Motivations
- Othello: The Dramatic Impact of Act 1 Scene 3 and Its Importance To The Play As A Whole
- The Moor as a Muslim in William Shakespeare’s Othello
Popular Questions
How to write an Othello essay?
Writing original papers on this topic is not easy, as Othello essays are probably one of the most widespread assignments, which professors give to their students. But in order to catch the … reader’s attention, you should be creative. Thus, you should make your outline, as well as introduction and conclusion intriguing.
Is Othello a tragedy?
Shakespeare’s Othello (Shakespeare, 1604) is a tragedy that unfolds based on the actions and language of one character: Iago. As a result, the plot is linear, yet the play manages to maintain a multidimensional effect.
What is the theme of the Othello oral report?
Othello is a tragedy by William Shakespeare set in Venice. Othello is a highly respected general and Iago is his ambitious comrade. Othello promotes Michael Cassio to the position of lieutenant and Iago becomes extremely jealous.
What is the relationship between Iago and Othello?
The Othello focused on dishonesty and miscommunication, jealousy and regret, and gender and pride, as well as more themes that I consider less prominent and will therefore Othello is, among other things, a play about words.
✨ Best othello Topic Ideas & Essay Examples
- Discuss how Lago from Othello exploits others to achieve his goal
Othello is about a man named Iago who seeks revenge of Othello, a noble and heroic General who denied him Lieutenant. Bout on revenge Iago uses the elopement of Othello and and Desdemona to put his plans to action. Exploiting the characters through ….
- A Sexual Tragedy: Othello
In his lifetime, the well-respected military general Othello in William Shakespeare’s Othello has traveled the world, conquering obstacles no other man could, such as “moving accidents by flood and field /…hairbreadth ‘scapes i’ th’imminent deadly / ….
- Alienation; the Power of One and Othello
In today’s society, modern alienation means historical discontinuity, loss, and despair, with rejection not only historically, but also socially from one’s society without previous attachments. Reasons for this might be because of a person’s ….
- Othello and Desdemona Love
Othello and Desdemona are truly in love? When two people are in love, there is almost nothing that can break it. A relationship between two people can be tested, but in the end, their love is forever. In the play Othello, Desdemona and Othello have ….
- Types of Love in Othello by Shakespeare
Through out the tragic play Othello, Shakespeare illustrates many different types of love. In many cases however, this love proves to be misguided or false. Because a plethora of imprudent relationships control the characters; Shakespeare utilizes ….
- My Perception Of William Shakespeares Othello
My Perception of William Shakespeare’s OthelloOthello, by William Shakespeare, is perhaps not as exciting as aravishingly sexy poster of Laurence Fishburne and Irene Jacob. Yet, with itsintoxicating mix of love, sexual passion and the deadly power ….
- Othello and Reputation
Othello is tragedy written by William Shakespeare. that demonstrates the power and strength of repute. The drama describes how Othello and Desdemona effort to construct a life together. ignoring their difference in age and race. Although shortly ….
- Literature Analysis of the Story of Othello
Othello, written by William Shakespeare is the story of Othello, the protagonistand tragic hero of the play. A Moor commanding the armies of Venice, he is acelebrated general and heroic figure whose “free and open nature” willenable Iago to twist ….
- Human Nature in Shakespeare’s Othello
Human nature surrounds one’s hopes, flaws, and virtues that are essential to humanity. These characteristics define our vulnerabilities and drive us to do inhumane things. In the story, Othello, William Shakespeare presents the fascinating insight ….
- Extract from Othello Analysis
Act 1 scene 3 was the set scene I was given, within this set scene I was given an extract lines 238 – 270. Using the extract from the set scene I had to; annotate the extract through analysing it, translating it into modern English as well as ….
- Blindsided by Manipulations and Misunderstandings in Othello
William Shakespeare’s Othello illustrates the outcome of misunderstanding and emotional judgement that causes miscommunication. This story is a powerful example where tragedy comes from acts of misunderstanding (Donkor, 2016). Like most of ….
- Language in Othello Essay
In today’s educational system, the use of Shakespeare as reading material has begun to dwindle. This is mostly due to people believing that the themes and ideas portrayed throughout the Shakespearean work are old, outdated, unrelated to the modern ….
- Othello Analysis Paper Blindness
People are sometimes “blinded” from reality. Even though the answer to the question may seem very apparent, it isn’t to them. “Blindness” has multiple meanings and is seen in the play “Oedipus the King” in a couple ways. When the truth is presented ….
- Othello and Coleridge
In his criticism of Shakespeare’s Othello, Coleridge claims that Iago acted from “motiveless malignity”, stating that Iago’s motives were not at all believable. However he also states that Iago is constantly “motive hunting” to try and make his ….
- Essay on Iago’s Soliloquies in William Shakespeare’s Play Othello
Iago’s Soliloquies in William Shakespeare’s Play Othello “Othello” is a tragedy which was written in 1622 by William Shakespeare, the title “Othello” is eponymous which means that a character gives its name to the title. Othello is not the main ….
- Language and Stagecraft in Shakespeare Othello
Othello was written by Shakespeare in the year 1603. It was first performed in court, but not published until 1622. William Shakespeare took ideas from Giraldi Cinthio’s Hecca Tommithi – an Italian collection of 100 stories which were popular at the ….
- Othello as a Lover and Romantic Figure
Othello’s speeches are covered with romantic and poetic glow and in his speeches we come across with an adventurous hero who grown up in the shade of romance, adventure, war and danger of lifeaction. Since his childhood days he had been a romantic ….
- Iago’s Character in Shakespeare’s Othello
In the opening scene, the play’s villain, Iago, openly declares his type of character, his intentions and his motivations. All of which then continue to underline each of his actions, as the plot continues to unfold. Through his careful twisting of ….
- Othello as Noble Character
Othello is a puzzling character, who in the first half of the play is alleged as a noble, wise leader, and whose style of dealing with Brabantio’s insults is an example for all men, yet who becomes in the second half a ruthless murderer. While it is ….
- Othello Extract Analysis
This extract takes place once Othello has killed Desdemona and has realised that Iago is behind all the doubt. It is towards the end of the play and Othello is planning on killing himself. Gratiano has just entered the chamber and Othello is talking ….
✍ Othello Compare and Contrast Essay Topics
- Comparing Macbeth and Othello
- “The Book Thief” By Markus Zusak, “Elephant Man” and “Othello
- Titus Andronicus and Othellos
- Comparing Shakespeare’s Othello with Conrad’s Heart of Darkness
- Character analysis: Iago in Othello
- The Role of Reputation in Shakespeare’s Othello
- Explore and Describe The Devices and Techniques Used By Iago To Ensnare Othello In Act 3, Scene 3 of Othello
- Othello: Comparison of Cassio and Iago
- What Are The Similarities Between Othello and Lord of The Flies
- Power of Love In Othello and Pride and Prejudice
- Racism and Feminism In Othello
- Reality Vs. Illusion In Othello Othellos
Popular Questions
How do you compare and contrast Othello and Hedda Gabler?
Compare the plays “Othello” and “Hedda Gabler.” Think about the religious themes of the play and about the contrast between Venice and Cyprus (along with Othello’s homeland of Africa) in the development of the tragedy. Othello says he “loved not wisely, but too well” (V, ii, 344).
How is Iago considerate to people in Othello?
Within the play Othello by William Shakespeare, a character named Iago displays a very good example of this.
Why is Othello considered a tragedy?
Othello is tragedy written by William Shakespeare. that demonstrates the power and strength of repute. The drama describes how Othello and Desdemona effort to construct a life together. ignoring their difference in age and race.
Othello Essay Topics About the Main Hero
- Othello – Character Analysis
- Othello As A Tragic Hero
- Othello Through Marxism and Formalism
- What is Othello’s tragic flaw that causes his downfall?
- Is Othello A Racist and A Sexist Play?
- Othello’s Love Turning To Hate
- Othello’s Jealousy
Popular Questions
Is Othello a strong or weak character?
The play Othello by William Shakespeare was written in 1604 during the Elizabeth era. Othello is one of the most extraordinary characters in all of Shakespeare’s dramas. In the beginning of the play we see Othello as a strong character.
Was Othello a good man or a tragic hero?
Othello was a good man, but he was a tragic hero because of his flaw that William Shakespeare gave us a most moving drama in Othello. In this play we witness the demise of a “paragon” of a wife and a “valiant Moor”, Othello. Let us consider the Moor in detail, with professional critical input, in this essay.
Where did Shakespeare get his ideas for Othello from?
Many of Shakespeare’s ideas for the play Othello came from a collection of tales written by Giraldi Cinthio. In Othello the character of Iago acts as the prominent main character throughout the play, even though he plays the role of the antagonist to the other central characters in the comedy Iago is the tragic hero.
Othello Literary Analysis Essay Topics
In Shakespeare’s source material, the only character with a name is Desdemona
- Analyze The Techniques Iago Uses To Plant Suspicion In Othello’s Mind
- Analysis of “To My Dear and Loving Husband” and Othello
- Analysis of Iago Character In Shakespeare’s “Othello” Sample
- Analysis of The Film “Othello” By Oliver Parker
- Analysis of The Tragedy of Othello The Moor of Venice
- Discuss How Iago From Othello Exploits Others To Achieve His Goal
- Discuss The Importance of Power In The Tragedy of Othello
- Discuss The View That Othello Is Too Stupid To Be A Tragic Hero
- How Does Iago Convince Othello To Kill Cassio and Desdemona By The End of Act Three?
- How Does Iago Manipulate Othello, Cassio, and Roderigo?
- How Does Shakespeare Make Act 5 Scene 2 of Othello Dramatic?
- How Does Shakespeare Use Language and Dramatic Techniques To Present Love In ‘Othello’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’?
- How Does Shakespeare Use Language and Stagecraft To Show Othello’s Changing Feelings Towards Desdemona Throughout Othello
- How Does The Ending of Othello Related To The Ideas and Characteristics of The Text As A Whole?
- How Does The First Act of ‘Othello’ Prepare Us For The Rest of The Play?
- How Far Is Othello A Racist Play That Is The Product of Its Times?
- How Is Othello Portrayed In Act 1?
- To What Extent Is Desdemona Presented As A Tragic Victim In Othello?
- To What Extent Is Othello Responsible For His Own Downfall?
- What Are The Contextual Factors Important To The Study of ‘Othello’?
- What Do We Learn of Othello’s Character Through An Analysis of His Language?
- What Do You Learn About Othello’s Changing Character and Personality Through An Analysis of Language Style and Structure?
- What Is Particularly Dramatic About Act 4, Scene 3 of ‘Othello’?
- What Is The Importance of Setting and Geography In William Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’? Sample
- Why Act 3, Scene 3 Is A Significant Turning Point In Othello
- Othello – How Far Do You Agree That The Play’s Main Concern Is To Explore The Worst and Best of Human Nature?
- Analysis of Iago’s Soliloquy In Which He Talk About “Divinity of Hell”
- In Shakespeare’s Othello, Iago Character Stays The Same Throughout But Othello’s Does Not. How and Why Does This Happen?
- In Which Way Does Iago Manipulate Characters and Contribute To Their Downfall In Shakespeare’s Play Othello?
- Is Othello’s Tragic Conclusion Solely The Result of Iago’s Machinations?
- Critical Analysis of Iago’s Soliloquy In Act 2 Scene 3 of Othello By William Shakespeare
- Consider The Role of Iago In Act Iii Scene 3 and Show How Shakespeare Portrays Iago, and The Effect He Has On Othello
- Othello Revision Notes – Themes and Quotes
- Language and structure Language in Othello
Popular Questions
What makes Othello a tragic hero essay?
Because the downfall of Othello is all his own doing making him the tragic hero of the play, the play is considered a “drama of character where the downfall of the character is his or her own doing” (Crawford). As opposed to a drama of intrigue where outside events influence the character.
What is a good thesis for Othello?
A thesis statement should be argumentative (debatable) and function as a one-two sentence –condensation of your paper’s primary claim (or argument). Thesis statements are necessary so that readers can identify the point and/or argument of your paper early in the paper.
What is the plot of Othello?
An ensign, expecting to be promoted to the post of a lieutenant, feels annoyed when his general appoints another man over his head. The ensign decides to revenge his supersession by plotting the ruin of both his general and his rival.
What is the summary of Othello?
Othello begins in the city of Venice, at night. Iago, an ensign in the Venetian army, is bitter about being passed over for lieutenant in favor of Cassio. Iago tells Roderigo that he serves Othello, the Moor who is the army’s general, only in order to serve himself.
Othello Topics About Symbolism
Iago is by far the most verbose character of the play
- Write About The Use of Imagery In ‘Othello’ and Its Contribution To The Overall Effect of The Play
- The Use of Animal Imagery In Othello
- The Women In Othello Lack Power and Importance
- The theme of Gender Discrimination In Othello
- Themes In Othello and Oleannas
- Othello – Values and Attitudes
- Contextual Factors In Othello
- Gender In Shakespeare’s Othello, Romeo and Juliet, and Twelfth Night
- Explore Shakespeare’s Presentation of Jealousy In ‘Othello’
- Why Did Othello Marry?
- Othello’s Tragic Flaw
- Recognition In Tragedy – Othello
Popular Questions
What is the animalistic nature of Othello?
The animalistic nature in Othello peaks in act 4, scene 1. Here, he experiences “epilepsy” as Iago calls it. Being consumed by the feeling of grudge, the Moor loses control. He is unable to act adequately. Instead of behaving like a human-being, Othello demonstrates his inner monster.
What is the significance of Desdemona’s handkerchief in Othello?
Desdemona ‘s handkerchief is one of the most complex Othello symbols. Its uniqueness lies in the diversity of meanings it reflects. Originally, the handkerchief was made by an old female prophet. According to Othello’s stories, the dye was extracted from the hearts of mummified virgins.
Who are the main characters in Othello?
They include Othello, who is the lead actor; Desdemona, Othello’s wife; Cassio, Othello’s lieutenant; and Iago a junior officer in the army. In addition, it is also an indication of the facts that human beings are always nosy and ready to participate in other people’s issues.
⭐ Essay Examples on This Topic
There are currently 20 film versions and adaptations of the play
- Character Flaws In Othello Research Paper
- Differences Between Shakespeare’s Othello and Iago Characters
- Essay on Iago’s Soliloquies in William Shakespeare’s Play Othello
- Free Othellos: The Meaning of Othello Othell
- Free Othellos: Why did Othello Marry? Othell
- Manipulation in Othello
- Othello by Shakespeare
- Comparison of “Othello” Film vs. Play
- Othello’s Changing Character and Personality
- Othello: Sexual Disfunction
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the basic story of Othello?
When Othello, a brave black general serving Venice, appoints Cassio as his chief lieutenant, the play begins. Iago is jealous of Othello’s success and envious of Cassio. Othello's demise is planned by falsely accusing Othello's wife Desdemona and Cassio of an affair.
Is Othello black?
Othello is a Moor and even though we assume that he is from Africa because of his name, he doesn't mention his birthplace. Shakespeare could have believed that Moors were from Africa. However, they could also be from Spain or the Middle East. American actor John Edward McCullough portrays Othello in 1878.
What is Othello's tragic flaw?
Othello's fatal flaw is jealousy. He is a jealous man. Othello almost becomes insane thinking about his wife Desdemona and another man. But there is more to jealousy. Othello is prone to acting before he thinks before he fully understands a situation.
What kind of character is Othello?
Othello, a Christian Moor and general in the armies of Venice is a respected figure who is eloquent, physically strong, and well-respected by those around him. He is a man of high standing, but he still falls prey to insecurities due to his age, his soldier life, and his race.
