Elements:

Allegory: A narrative that has 2 meanings one literal or surface meaning and the other
metaphorical (the characters and settings represent abstract ideas or moral qualities). An example
of allegory is when Othello tells Desdemona that he will snuff out the light of the candle with
Desdemona's life. Othello is comparing Desdemona, the light of his life and of his heart, to the
light coming from the burning candle, which is also going to be put out soon.
Allusion: Any reference, direct or indirect, to a person, place, event, or character in history,
literature, mythology, etc. One of the many examples of allusion in this play is when Iago
references Janus, the two faced God. In the first line, Iago swears by Janus. Iago does this
because he, himself, is two faced and that is why he references Janus of all gods.
Catastrophe: The concluding action of a tragedy, where the principal character meets with death
or other significant defeat. In Othello, the catastrophe occurs when Othello comes to the
conclusion that the so called affair that Iago spoke of between Cassio and Desdemona was just
another one of Iagos lies, which leads to Othello stabbing him in the stomach.
Catharsis: Purgation or purification of the emotions of pity and fear from the viewing of a tragic
drama.
A catharsis is experienced when Emilia first discovers dead body of Desdemona.
Characters: Living beings in a work of fiction. Comic Relief: A humorous scene, incident or
speech in the course of a serious fiction or drama. The characters in order of importance in this
play are Othello, Iago, Desdemona, Cassio, Emilia, Rodrigo, Montano, Bianca, Gratiano,
Lodovico, and the musicians and clowns of the town.
Conceit: An ingenious and fanciful notion or conception through an elaborate analogy showing
striking parallel between two dissimilar things. The biggest example of conceit in Othello is the
malicious plans and manipulations Iago has arranged to try to destroy the loving marriage of
Othello and Desdemona. Many people die and are hurt by this.
Connotation: The suggested or emotional meaning of a word as compared with its dictionary
definition. An example of connotation is shown when, in Act I, Brabantio accuses Othello of
"stealing his daughter", although Othello did not actually steal Desdemona, she just fell in love
with him and they got married.
Context: The setting or frame of reference in which an event takes place. The context of the play
Othello is that it happens in the 1500's, in both Venice and Cyprus.
Effect: The impression made by a literary work on a reader or society. The effect that this story
has on society is the danger of people using the tricks that Iago uses on other people. Whether it
be as a joke or a malicious attempt to ruin their lives.

Hamartia: The tragic flaw or error of judgment. Othello's tragic flaw is that he is a very jealous
husband. He also makes an error of judgement by trusting Iago and constantly taking his word
before figuring out the whole story as to whats really been going on.
Invocation: An address to a god or muse whose aid is sought. When Iago says "By Janus" is
also an example of invocation because Janus is a Roman god.
Socratic Irony: Pretending to be ignorant when in fact the character is being cautious or
tentative. An example of Socratic irony is how, throughout the entire play, Iago pretends not to
know the truth behind Desdemonas relationship with Cassio, when in reality, Iago is making up
everything and feeding lies to Othello about Desdemona, even though nothing is actually going
on.
Verbal Irony: Contrast between what is stated and what is suggested. There is repetitive verbal
irony in this play. It is used whenever Othello calls Iago honest Iago", which is ironic since the
audience knew that Iago is lying to Othello the entire time.
Mood: The atmosphere or emotional effect generated by the words images situations in a literary
work. Othellos mood is serious and desperate to find out the truth, but the overall mood is
sometimes alleviated through comic relief coming from certain characters or just the irrational
and absurd events of the play itself.
Plot: The action that which happens in a literary work. The plot of Othello is that Iago wants
to ruin Othellos life, so he manipulates Othello and tell him absurd lies which result in the death
of many characters and the displeasure of all of the other characters.
Complication: smaller actions or events which confound and compound the original problem. An
example of one of the complications is when Desdemona loses her handkerchief, which Iago
then uses proof that Desdemona had been getting with Cassio, even though she simply just
misplaced said handkerchief.
Crisis: The turning point for better or worse in a play. The crisis in Othello occurs when Othello
realizes that he hates Desdemona and cannot forgive for what Iago told Othello that she has
done.

Climax: A point of high emotional intensity often the protagonist and antagonist clash for the
last time. This plays climax happens when Othello finds out about all of Iagos lies and schemes,
and stabs him.
Denouement: Falling action, the conclusion of a plot, the resolution.
The denouement of the play Othello is when Othello claims to be glad that Iago isnt going to
die, because he doesnt want to run into Iago in hell after he commits suicide.

Recognition: The moment at which a chief character recognizes the happy or awful truth. The
Recognition happens to Othello when Emilia reveals Iago's evil plot. Othello realizes that he
killed his wife over a lie.
Reversal: The thrilling change of luck for the protagonist at the last moment. The reversal
happens to Iago when Emilia casts the serpent's curse on him.

Setting: A combination of locale, historical period, season or hour, and spiritual, ethnic and
cultural background. The setting of Othello is right after a war, in the 1500s in Cyprus and
Venice
Tone: The writers or speakers attitude toward his subject, audience, or himself. The tone is
serious, dramatic, absurd, and even menacing.
Tragedy: A serious fiction involving the downfall of a hero or heroine. In Othello, Othello
becomes just another victim of Iago and his manipulations, and murders Desdemona and then
eventually kills himself.
Tragic Flaw: In a tragedy, the defect in the hero that leads to a downfall. Othellos tragic flaw is
that he is nave and too trusting of Iago, too jealous of Cassio, and too irrational to head
Desdemona out.
Tragic Irony: the most noble and most deserving person, because of the very grounds of his or
her excellence, dies in defeat. The tragic irony in Othello is that Desdemona was killed by
Othello, even though she was the moist level-headed and fair person in the entire situation, and
did absolutely nothing wrong.
Simile: a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different
kind, used to make a description more emphatic or vivid. The quote, found in Act I said by
Iago "The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts..." is a simile using like or as to compare
the food with locusts.
Comic Relief:
A humorous or farcical interlude ina serious literary work or drama, especially a tragedy, intende
d to relieve the dramatic tension or heighten theemotional impact by means of contrast. It is used
in Othello when characters like Roderigo are introduced, that are so ridiculous and pitiful that
they are actually amusing. There are also many sexual innuendoes in the scene that Iago and
Roderigo torture Brabantio with talk of hid daughter's sex lie with Othello