He successfully avoids all of the racial stereotypes, but eventually does succumb to the racism in the agenda of Iago

There is a concrete and stable (recognized) geographic setting, but an unpredictable personal descriptor that clashes with the usual race and class dynamic.

Consider also if Iago is the villain or vice, then what is Othello's downfall? What is his fatal flaw?

Desdemona disobeys her father in picking Othello and appears disobedient because of the "ocular proof" -- is there any relationship between patriarchal obedience and Desdemona's downfall?

Instead of being just a consummation of marriage, it ended up serving an entirely new role as "ocular proof"based on appearance.. also, do we think the handkerchief is magical?

He has a divided sense of self in being both a Christian and a Turk

Lucia mentioned how plays were becoming increasingly accessible to masses in Europe and how they became an effective medium in gaining response.. Is this from practiced lines or complete improvisation?

"ocular proof", gendered stereotypes, manipulative storytelling.. what else?

Desdemona falls in love with Othello after hearing his personal narrative, which Lucia mentioned was modeled after precursory romance narratives.

Othello already shared Iago's stereotypes on women and their ability to control themselves and remain virtuous. Iago simply had to plant the seed that made Othello question why his wife should be an exception to the rule.

Would he have been treated differently if he was a Venetian? Would Iago have just accepted the power dynamic?

quite distinct division between the upper and lower classes

Is it because he is a Moor? A Moor in an unexpected social standing? Because of a past incident?

Iago has the characteristically rhetoric and attitude while Othello possesses the physical distinguishing features.

define love first

What about sexist stereotypes? Think about it in both the framing of the historical context to even now..

note **When Iago tells Brabantio that Othello has eloped with his daughter, he calls Othello a thief

then what is more important? positional or manipulative or birthright power?

one story gives the owner (Desdemona) agency, while the other gives the storyteller (Othello) agency

What is valued in a household-- virtuosity, chastity, obedience and above all ORDER which Desdemona is convinced she has maintained through her scope of the situation.

What is Shakespeare saying about "otherness?" Othello is highly revered for advice military wise, but will always be an outsider because of his race

Consider how in this narrative, we as readers know more information at any given moment than Othello himself.

Desdemona is a character who the readers can empathize with, and so they can show a desire to protect her from an unjust fate, however, in a performance, the character is framed a certain way and thus not interpretable, only pitiable.

What started as a private encounter between a man and wife resulted in a disastrous public affair

female sexuality threatens the entire institution of marriage based on mens assumptions about women and their "needs"