May 10, 2014 [Prelim. Adv.

English 2014 HOW TO CHARACTERISATION ANALYSIS OF IAGO NAME:

HOW TO STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO: CHARACTERISATION MATRIX: (how is the character of Desdemona developed in Shakespeares OTHELLO?) EXAMPLE
QUOTES & name the key
points/scenes in the play
which reveal character:
LFFs and DFFs
in what Desdemona
DOES
LFFs and DFFS
in what Desdemona SAYS
LFFs and DFFS
in what OTHER characters
say about Desdemona
What does this evidence suggest about the values,
attitudes, emotions and behavior of Desdemona
(at this point in the play)
Act 1 scene 1
My noble father
/ I do perceive
here a divided
duty: / To you I
am bound to
respect you

To Brabantio..


Act 1 Sc s:

" much duty as my
mother show'd
To you,/
So much I challenge
/ that I may profess
Due to the Moor
my lord. (1.3.185-
189).


To Brabantio



































1. formal language (father)
2. positive emotive language
(noble)
3. alliteration
4. ambiguous hyperbole
(bound)










1. contrast between much
duty shown and challenge
/ profess
2. Repetition of personal 1
st
-
person pronouns
3. Assonance in duty and
due
4. Formal title and possessive
my in the Moor my lord


































5. & 2. shows D as not being drugged or
bewitched but respectfully and formally
acknowledges her father

4. The ambiguous hyperbole bound represents
that a Venetian daughter of the 17
th
Century
were considered be the property of her father.
Desdemona was forced by duty to obey and
honour her father. She has no individual
autonomy. In effect, Desdemona knows that
she is bound by the ropes/chains of the strict
17
th
C Venetian social and cultural values and
attitudes towards women.



1. Desdemona excuses her deceit by comparing
the duty shown by her mother to her husband
whilst also challenging strict moral rules
about unmarried daughters who deceive their
fathers.
2. Clearly emphasises that Desdemona has
asserted her own individual desires and
wishes. This shows she is strong-willed and
maybe even a little selfish?
3. The formal use of the title and the
possessive my makes it clear that
Desdemonas loyalty lies with Othello
Question is duty the same as loyalty? Why?
May 10, 2014 [Prelim. Adv. English 2014 HOW TO CHARACTERISATION ANALYSIS OF IAGO NAME:

QUOTES & name the key
points/scenes in the play
which reveal character:
LFFs and DFFs
in what Desdemona
DOES
LFFs and DFFS
in what Desdemona SAYS
LFFs and DFFS
in what OTHER characters
say about Desdemona
What does this evidence suggest about the values,
attitudes, emotions and behavior of Desdemona
(at this point in the play)


Act 1 - Sc 3

abused, stol'n
from me, and
corrupted / By
spells and
medicines bought
of mountebanks"
(1.3.60-61).
Said by Brabantio to
the Duke of Venice
about Desdemona








You should find
2 strong quotes
from Othello.






1. Highly negative
emotive language
hyperbole
2. Allusions of
witchcraft and
science
3. Alliteration
4. Metaphor
(mountebanks =
fraudsters)
NOW you continue
Try explaining the effects of each LFF yourself. Keep it simple
and logical and specific
May 10, 2014 [Prelim. Adv. English 2014 HOW TO CHARACTERISATION ANALYSIS OF IAGO NAME:

QUOTES & name the key
points/scenes in the play
which reveal character:
LFFs and DFFs
in what Desdemona
DOES
LFFs and DFFS
in what Desdemona SAYS
LFFs and DFFS
in what OTHER characters
say about Desdemona
What does this evidence suggest about the values,
attitudes, emotions and behavior of Desdemona
(at this point in the play)

















Act 2
Scene:









Scene:

May 10, 2014 [Prelim. Adv. English 2014 HOW TO CHARACTERISATION ANALYSIS OF IAGO NAME:

QUOTES & name the key
points/scenes in the play
which reveal character:
LFFs and DFFs
in what Desdemona
DOES
LFFs and DFFS
in what Desdemona SAYS
LFFs and DFFS
in what OTHER characters
say about Desdemona
What does this evidence suggest about the values,
attitudes, emotions and behavior of Desdemona
(at this point in the play)









Scene:







Act 3
Scene:







Scene:








Scene:

May 10, 2014 [Prelim. Adv. English 2014 HOW TO CHARACTERISATION ANALYSIS OF IAGO NAME:

QUOTES & name the key
points/scenes in the play
which reveal character:
LFFs and DFFs
in what Desdemona
DOES
LFFs and DFFS
in what Desdemona SAYS
LFFs and DFFS
in what OTHER characters
say about Desdemona
What does this evidence suggest about the values,
attitudes, emotions and behavior of Desdemona
(at this point in the play)