Othello - Edexcel English Literature A Level Study Guide Graded A+

What Destroy's Othello? {Ans: HIS MIND - He is not observant or interpretative. His emotions excite him and tend to overwhelm his common sense. HIS BACKGROUND - He has little knowledge of civilised society. He has a lack of understanding of European (specifically Venetian) women. HE IS HIGHLY PASSIONATE - Lodovico says "Is this the nature/Whom passion could not shake? Whose solid virtue/ The shot of accident nor dart of chance/Could neither graze nor pierce?" Othello trusts too much, this is his fatal flaw. He does not hesitate or think his actions through. His emotions are all consuming.}Structure Creating Tension {Ans: The conflict of the story begins quite late within the play. When it does start, it advances without pauses and accelerates until the tragic conclusion. There is very little relief from the pace.}Mark Scheme Assessment Objectives {Ans: AO1 - Articulate AO2 - Analyse AO3 - Context AO5 - Differing Interpretations (critics)}Act Three - The Climax {Ans: The turning point of the play. It is characterised by the highest amount of suspense. In the play, this is Iago planting the handkerchief.}Act Five {Ans: Denouncement or Resolution - the final outcome of the drama, the subject