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AS and A Level: Othello

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146 AS and A Level Othello essays

Marked by Teachers essays 5
Peer Reviewed essays 5

Discuss how Iago manipulates language to achieve his aims

5 star(s)

This is an excellent analytical essay that shows a good understanding of the text and an excellent understanding of the character. There is a full range of points that show…
- Essay length: 2291 words
- Submitted: 07/08/2008
- Marked by teacher: Laura Gater 22/12/1999
How significant are Iagos soliloquies to the development of tragedy in Othello?

3 star(s)

This essay starts well with a thoughtful consideration of some of the effects of the soliloquies. It contains some interesting ideas and makes several, mainly successful, attempts to include relevant…
- Essay length: 1728 words
- Submitted: 15/10/2011
- Marked by teacher: Roz Shipway 07/02/2012
- Reviewed by: groat 23/03/2012
Iagos speech in Act 2 Scene 3 serves as an insight into many of Iagos personality traits, his lack of moral scruples, his delusional state of mind and his powers of manipulation and foresight.

3 star(s)

This essay begins to show a good level of analysis but it is under developed as a whole response. Contextual links need to be explored; both by ranging around the…
- Essay length: 734 words
- Submitted: 12/06/2011
- Marked by teacher: Laura Gater 22/12/1999
Deception in Othello

3 star(s)

Deception is an interesting and complex topic to explore for any Shakespeare tragedy and this essay does try and explore the different ideas thrown up by this theme in 'Othello'.…
- Essay length: 1402 words
- Submitted: 13/05/2009
- Marked by teacher: Laura Gater 22/12/1999
Is Othello a Noble Hero or a Credulous Fool?

3 star(s)

This is a well-structured essay which contains the makings of some thoughtful arguments. Generally expression is fluent and concise. However, the arguments made are not backed by sufficient or always…
- Essay length: 1205 words
- Submitted: 06/12/2008
- Marked by teacher: Roz Shipway 07/02/2012
To what extent does Iago contribute to the tragedy of Othello?

4 star(s)

This essay responds averagely to the task. Despite looking at Iago's presentation as a villain, which is strong here, there is little argument surrounding Iago's influence on Othello's tragedy. I…
- Essay length: 1309 words
- Submitted: 12/05/2011
- Reviewed by: groat 23/04/2012
To what extent does language reflect the disintegration of Othellos character?

4 star(s)

This essay engages averagely with the question. The introduction isn't the strongest, but it could be much better with a few tweaks. I'm not quite sure that claiming inconsistent language…
- Essay length: 1330 words
- Submitted: 29/03/2011
- Reviewed by: groat 23/04/2012
In what ways does Shakespeare present Othello as a typical tragic hero?

3 star(s)

The essay responds at an average level to the task. There is an exploration of how Othello falls from nobility to a misguided victim. However, I don't think the argument…
- Essay length: 1627 words
- Submitted: 03/02/2010
- Reviewed by: groat 23/04/2012
Explain how Iago has effected the transformation of Othello from heroic lover to brutal murderer in 3.3. How is Othello's transformation conveyed to the audience?

3 star(s)

This essay doesn't engage with the question well. There is no exploration of Shakespeare's construction of Iago to influence Othello's tragedy, which is the first part of the question. I…
- Essay length: 796 words
- Submitted: 17/08/2009
- Reviewed by: groat 04/03/2012
Jealousy in Othello
- Essay length: 455 words
- Submitted: 27/05/2012

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Conclusion analysis

Good conclusions usually refer back to the question or title and address it directly - for example by using key words from the title.
How well do you think these conclusions address the title or question? Answering these questions should help you find out.

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Do they answer the question directly?

Can you work out the question or title just by reading the conclusion?

To what extent do you believe that Othello is an honourable murderer?

"Overall, it is clear to the audience that Othello is viewed as an honourable man before the murder. The extent to which he is still viewed as honourable after his crime is somewhat clouded by the characters discovery of the villainous nature of Iago but it is fair to say that their perception of Othello has been greatly altered. This means that contextually, Othello was probably not an 'honourable murderer', although there are other factors such as his race and 'outsider' status to be taken into consideration. In my opinion, although his remorse acts in his favour, I do not believe that Othello is an honourable murderer. The ease of his manipulation and little to no attempt of finding the truth makes it hard for an audience to see him as an honourable character. Even though the murder of Desdemona was unjust, I would still argue that to some extent Othello could be described as an honourable murder, simply for his suicide which, in the manner of an eye for an eye, seems fair punishment."

Discuss Iagos manipulation of Othellos thoughts in this scene (up to line 280). Your discussion will need to include a careful look at Othellos response to Iagos manipulation, and a look at jealousy

"In conclusion, Iago has thoroughly thought out his manipulation of Othello. He cleverly tricks him into thinking Desdemona is having an affair. He sets Othello into different kind of emotions including uncertainty, insecurity and the most destructive one is jealousy. Othello seems to crack and become exceedingly jealous as Iago deliberately messes with his head and causes him to become doubtful of Desdemona's faithfulness. The play follows the traditional five act Shakespearian play, and each builds up in the decline of Othello. Overall, Othello is a completely different man at the end of Act 3, as Iago has torn him apart and making him a much more jealous and suspicious character, which is ironic as Iago was originally the jealously one, now the role reversal between them both shows how tricks on the mind can dominate a person."

To what extent is Othello presented as a tragic hero in Act 1 of Othello. Refer to context, concepts of the tragic hero, other tragedies and critical interpretations

"The socio-historical context with Macbeths is important as they interlink and you can come to a conclusion about both of them. From both, Othello and Macbeth, it shows Shakespeare is interested in deception; at the start of Macbeth, the tragic hero is characterised by Iago, and at the start of Macbeth by the witches. It seems as though Shakespeare is allowing us too see different perceptions, through women (witches) and men (Iago and roderigo). Lady Macbeth is almost a mirror image of Iago in a distorted way as they both drive to manipulate; Lady Macbeth manipulated Macbeth to go kill the king. Shakespeare questions whether we should break the convention of "men before women" or not, as both are corrupted and delusional and both play a part in the tragedy of the "tragic hero""

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AS and A Level: Othello

146 AS and A Level Othello essays

Discuss how Iago manipulates language to achieve his aims

How significant are Iagos soliloquies to the development of tragedy in Othello?

Iagos speech in Act 2 Scene 3 serves as an insight into many of Iagos personality traits, his lack of moral scruples, his delusional state of mind and his powers of manipulation and foresight.

Deception in Othello

Is Othello a Noble Hero or a Credulous Fool?

To what extent does Iago contribute to the tragedy of Othello?

To what extent does language reflect the disintegration of Othellos character?

In what ways does Shakespeare present Othello as a typical tragic hero?

Explain how Iago has effected the transformation of Othello from heroic lover to brutal murderer in 3.3. How is Othello's transformation conveyed to the audience?

Jealousy in Othello

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