Across
- 1. a statement or situation that appears to go against common sense or contain opposite facts, yet turns out to reveal a hidden truth
- 3. The process of releasing emotions after something challenging. In Othello, it could be Othello’s release of grief in Act 5, or the purging of emotions (pity and fear) experienced by the audience at the end of the tragedy.
- 5. The hierarchy that was a belief of Shakespeare’s audience
- 6. A smaller division within an act, usually marked by a change in location or characters
- 7. When the audience knows something that the characters do not, creating tension or humour.
- 8. A recurring image, idea, or symbol that helps develop a theme.
- 10. The main character in a tragedy who is noble but has a flaw that leads to their downfall.
- 13. A play in which the main character experiences a downfall due to a tragic flaw, fate, or both, often ending in death.
- 14. When one country, organisation, belief system or social group has more power than others. Iago's manipulation and Othello's tragic downfall demonstrate how dominant ideologies, particularly those rooted in racism and patriarchy, can be used to control and oppress individuals.
- 17. A major division of a play
- 18. The moment of recognition or discovery for Othello, when he realizes Iago's treachery and Desdemona's innocence. This is a crucial turning point for him.
Down
- 1. The evocation of pity or sadness, particularly for Desdemona and Othello.
- 2. A speech in which a character speaks their thoughts aloud while alone (or believing themselves to be alone), revealing their inner feelings to the audience.
- 4. Iago embodies this archetype – a character who is dissatisfied with the status quo and plots against others.
- 7. Possessing two aspects - often meaning to present something in one way whilst concealing a different aspect. Two faced… Central to Iago's character and the plot.
- 9. The reversal of fortune, often from good to bad, which Othello experiences as Iago's plot unfolds.
- 11. The tragic flaw or error in judgment that contributes to a tragic hero's downfall.
- 12. The central struggle between opposing forces, such as characters, society or internal emotions
- 14. Excessive pride or overconfidence that often leads to a character's downfall.
- 15. A person or thing that combines contradictory features or qualities. Iago can be seen as paradoxical: “I am not what I am” (Act 1, Scene 1)
- 16. Describes Iago's cunning, amoral, and manipulative nature, reminiscent of Niccolò Machiavelli's political philosophy.
- 19. A brief remark spoken by a character that other characters on stage are not meant to hear but the audience can