Harvard ENGL E-129 - Lecture 4: Othello

Recorded on Oct 10, 2007.

[@scrumpymanjack]

Aren't we lucky to live in the era of internet? There is no longer any excuse to be ignorant and everyone now has the chance to learn from the best teachers.

[@izwork831]

Above me are examples of Iago and Roderigo.

[@user-do2ji7wi6i]

อยากรู้

[@verlandes1]

You would think.

[@connorstaub9299]

A double edged sword

[@Laocoon283]

And yet...

[@Vikingvideos50]

We're so lucky to see these terrific classes for free on KZbin. This is clearly a teacher who knows her Shakespeare and can help others not only understand the deeper meanings of the words but what the play seems to be saying about the world. Love this.

[@olly1793]

“For anyone who doesn’t have this document” Me: dammit

[@MaartenVHelden]

let me know when you have it :-)

[@learnwithfarha8467]

Haha

[@bellairis5049]

summed up some critical quotes for anyone who wants them: Marjorie Garber of Harvard: Many great critics of the last century would say that [Othello's race] was an incidental issue Women have physical honour and men have spiritual honour The whole play as a pageant to keep us in false gaze… a set of spectacles to have us looking in the wrong direction. [She also mentioned a quote from Coleridge - Iago has motiveless malignity ] Iago as the playwright Othello is always substituting war for love War outside and war inside.. Not only do the (sex obsessed) characters never have sex, they never have war. One of Shakespeare's Martial characters who fights the least

[@Flowertot]

Life saver thank you, absolute saint

[@gxyuwu]

Thank you so much for this ❤️

[@gracie3144]

imagine being so impactful that people still study and read your stories long after you created them

[@shambolism6594]

This was amazing help for my English Literature A level exam today! Thank you!

[@Shannon.m_a]

what grade did you get in the end?

[@craigbukenya2468]

Yeah what grade did you achieve?

[@lant3r.n]

It's been five years bro- tell us what grade you got!!

[@maryxu1652]

@@lant3r.n 😂

[@zarosderer4447]

well he obviously got kicked out with an F- from school

[@megmeg110]

this lecture is FINGER LICKING good

[@roxanaroyale9579]

meg meg literally she licks her fingers throughout.

[@Only1INDRAJIT]

May be that's what perfectly explains why the speaker was licking hers

[@SinclairDocumentaries]

Lel eggs dee le mayobaise

[@MaartenVHelden]

Gets pretty annoying at some point, lol!

[@MultiTwelch]

This professor is an artist of lecture.

[@ShakeelAhmed-mr5zw]

Absolutely and Definitely No Doubt

[@6.183]

A level student in quarantine here 🙇

[@Flowertot]

Hello!

[@alexstump8746]

A level student with their Othello paper tomorrow here

[@phongtaa6364]

@@alexstump8746 A level student with their Othello paper this afternoon here :)

[@hopelessstrlstfan181]

A level? Like in British school system? My college buddy at Columbia University, NYC, told me about A levels. Good choice of lecture, IMHO. I learned a lot, but I majored in Physics & acknowledge my own significant limitations when dealing w literature. I think she had a good presentation, but I don't have much with which to compare it. BTW, my college buddy introduced me to Cricket and I've been a fan ever since. Not sure if you're British or a Cricket fan, but Cricket is awesome. Better than Baseball & Baseball is great in its own right!!

[@ryankc9558]

This is one of the most insightful articles/ talks about Othello I have come across as a student. Thank You.

[@ghaliasaoudi6874]

I'm from Algeria I graduated from university of bejaia in Algeria, I have studied English literature, we have studied Hamlet, Othello, makbeth,we have studied British lit,American lit,American lit.....,I lo English literature for me its knowledge and beauty at the same time.

[@zerog1064]

thats amazing, props to you! That takes a lot of hard work

[@Mina-ge8yk]

Oh my goodness. This reading into the play is so in depth and is stricken from all sorts of angles ... its just AMAZING. Thank you so much for uploading this and THANK YOU to the lecturer - absolutely fantastic.

[@ferzasm7242]

Hello from Brazil. I've just read the book and I am very grateful for the opportunity of watching this video.

[@sbnwnc]

Did you like the play?

[@jokerswildio]

Her hand usage helps animate her words. Great professor!

[@nana-hi2xu]

Othello is one of my favorite shakespeare plays. By reading the play it seems to me that shakespeare intended othello to be black. He says black as my own face and calls him a black ram in the beginning.

[@i-r_9-18]

Such a great lecturer, I'm watching it instead of my bedtime movie:)

[@die_schlechtere_Milch]

The parallel between Othello and Desdemona on one side and Mars and Venus on the other is indeed plausible and interesting.

[@aquaescence4631]

I admire the different lenses and angles explored. So many professors examine through only one lens & twist everything through it. Also, all student input was considered and not dismissed as wrong even the ones who were reaching. Considerate, erudite as well as thorough.

[@unfathomablekiffness9470]

Brilliant Lesson

[@elisenqian6466]

thanks for uploading

[@pioneermega-ld3236]

Great video, really useful for revision!

[@rachnakapoor2685]

The lecturer nailed it she really helped me for me exam today

[@colinmckenzie5900]

What almost no one seems to remark on in Othello is that he's not just black; he's OLD, at least as compares to Desdemona or Cassio. So it's understandable that he becomes jealous.

[@Orroz44]

Interesting lecture, it helps a lot in my English studies.

[@TeamAlphaPanda]

Study English Lit at another uni, but we don;t get to do as much Shakespeare. I love this stuff :)

[@TheJileyProduction]

absolutely fantastic! tremendous help for my exam

[@sahilbhat4454]

TheJileyProduction , hi I'm from Kashmir, & I'm an English literature scholar. ur wat's no.

[@onnyxbei4163]

This woman is amazing!

[@DiamondDivaMusic]

this was very helpful thank you

[@OriginalSocalgranny]

Here we have a female professor leading a conversation entirely about the male members of the cast when the play is clearly about misogyny, about women being marginalized, about an intelligent, decent and kind woman is also outspoken, who chooses her own spouse over the objection of her family and who is ultimately murdered by her husband. Perhaps not in Shakespeare's day but today, how can we not see this as being about domestic abuse of Desdemona by Othello, of Emilia by Iago, and of Bianca by Cassio. This about men using violence to control women and men engaging with each other over their honor, their deep-seated fear of sexual betrayal. But it is also very much about domestic violence.

[@chriskovatch4207]

The play isn't called Desdaemona though

[@12HHoo]

Some of the questions are not thoughtful and merely slow down the lecture. Listen, think, take notes and articulate your question clearly.

[@OriginalSocalgranny]

This is not a course by a Harvard professor for students admitted to Harvard University. It is a course offered to the general public for a fee through the Harvard Extension School, much different than a Harvard Uni course.

[@sagiandrea3709]

Maybe othello feels so self-deprecating about his language abilities because he is not speaking his first language. I mean we see it today as well when people learned english later in life and use it when writing an email for example they are overly apologetic over their use of English as if its bad or ungrammatical even though it is perfectly crafted and used well. On the other hand native speakers dont possess the ability to overthink their use of the language in most cases. I think this would explain why Othello thinks so lowly of his language skill when in contrast Iago's use of the language is much cruder.

[@kieraburgess3431]

This is a really helpful lecture. I enjoyed watching it and it help me with my studying. Thanks.

[@sahilbhat4454]

Kiera Burgess , hi I'm from Kashmir & I'm also an English literature scholar

[@sahilbhat4454]

ur wat's no. ?

[@arbasali3476]

Thankyou boatloads for this! Edit: I despise her hang gestures - when she sways them as if dancing yo wth :3

[@bellringer929]

That was one fine lecture but i really miss that the temptation scene wasn't discussed in detail..

[@bellringer929]

Iago is both a mystery and a success story, well almost...what makes him so successful in carrying out his knavery?

[@cutekitkat100]

thankyou!

[@olly1793]

A teacher with good hand writing?????

[@Vikingvideos50]

Would love to hear her lecture on Ibsen and Chekhov.

[@cureavnfoundation5870]

This is such an amazing lecture -- who is the professor?

[@helenasmagala9922]

Yes! I need to know her name. I have to include critics' full names in my exams if I want to get an A...

[@helenasmagala9922]

I found out, it's Marjorie Garber :) (and yeah I understand you wrote this 11 months ago haha oops)

[@thakuranuraganand738]

1 year later ... it's my exam tomorrow.. Efforts never get wasted xD

[@JanAside]

Helena Smagala like anard said efforts never wasted i too have a exam on othello tomorrow (mock thankfully) and now i have a name to refference.

[@chriskovatch4207]

@@JanAside three years later. Efforts not wasted

[@happygucci5094]

I think a colonial lens to examine Othello is vital to understanding the internal psychologies of the characters. Race and the internalized oppressor is central to having his insecurities exploited and the ease in which the others racial prejudices and views of the "other" is also exposed. . There is no way to avoid the issue of race. It is the ultimate "Othering". The gender issues are hugely interesting and a feminist lens viewing the society and the role of women. I also think that the issue of race can't be truly appreciated by the speakers in the video who are white- again, what appears to be on the outside, can be very very different. I would love to have heard a person of color speak on how the play is appreciated.

[@MaartenVHelden]

I want to have that exercise too, is it available somewhere online?

[@mariamaxim]

I'm so nostalgic...

[@allisonwaterman7767]

How many students were in this class?

[@marahollow1214]

Thank you so much! I'm an English lit a level student and I have my mocks in a few weeks. I love Othello but I struggle explaining my thoughts on the matter. This really helps!

[@mariamislam9932]

me too😭😭😭😭

[@user-ql7mh6nh3b]

Plz I wanna the intertextuality in othello

[@fkafka64]

They did not mention "betrayal".

[@surprise7002]

They highlighted honesty/falsity as themes which you can use to discuss betrayal.

[@dorianmarch5811]

Damn I wish Attack on Titan had the respect to have a Harvard lecture

[@jackcooper3307]

Trust race to be the first pick =D

[@toledosweatequitypainting7441]

Everybody i know has one Shakesp that sounds to them until the 2/3s mark sounds like modern Engl ish speakers on a passionate bday. Day. Othello turned into mine after Of all things Macbeth. What now no longer sounds normal.

[@mon_4444]

Why my doctor can't explain Othello like this ??? She even didn't tell us anything about Shakespeare or the play !! We have to search the internet to find good teachers teaches us! why then she is our teacher ???

[@ginge641]

Did you really expect a doctor to have an intimate knowledge of literature?

[@jabielcabana9425]

@@ginge641 this guy seems korean. Maybe in korea they call professors "doctor" based on the fact that they have their doctorate degree; it could also be an issue of poor translation.

[@ifeeltiredsleepy]

@@jabielcabana9425 Especially given that the original meaning of doctor in English was for those who held expert knowledge, it has only in the past hundred years become a short-hand for physicians, i.e. medical doctors, since all physicians hold doctorates.

[@markhilbertrossetti1796]

Paly memory --- Play --- Moore -- base???

[@nightcrawler5383]

thought the harvard students would be smarter

[@HeliumHelios]

lmao

[@julissa6715]

Okay that’s mean. They’re students just like you.

[@workout9594]

Julissa B. Nah thy are the best of the best students so it is merely natural to expect better, especially with such rigorous entrance requirements

[@ifeeltiredsleepy]

@@workout9594 This is a Harvard extension course though, these could be high school students. Extension courses are open to the general public.

[@aquariusaquarius6788]

This is an insightful lecture, it could do with some refining. I can recommend some reading?

[@nimoabo6458]

you know othello caracter is reel embassad morrocco on enghland 1600

[@sanjaykc7087]

Not bad.

[@hikemastersomg]

so, Othello wins the girl through the telling of tales about himself, his exploits, etc etc, and then becomes undone himself when another (iago) tells his 'tales' (false) of Othello's wife supposedly being unfaithful.........

[@Daniel-ns71617]

The play is largely about the power of words and speech. Iago is the character with the most lines and monologues, and while he does not possess the political highground nor the most remarkable frame, he overwhelms everyone in the play with his charm and wordplay. Othello, despite being brave, intelligente and strong, is defeated by Iago by getting "poison" poured into his ear. That is the dramatic irony of this play. Othello, such an outstanding human being of the highest virtues, is undone by the "damned slave" Iago due to his insecurities and Iago's words. At least that's how I interpreted it lol.

[@aaronwamser3858]

Why does she keep licking her hand?

[@atyaali7488]

next month I should preaper the presentation about othello 😟and I don't know anything about it plz anyone can help me🙏

[@daylight5085]

atya ali Organise your PowerPoint/Keynote like this: Setting in both place and time, and bring up the significance of Cyprus vs. Venice, (Wilderness vs. Law, and sensibility) Characters, and motivations, and roles. Summary of the Plot Major themes (Jealousy; heart vs. reason, race, gender; relationships etc.) Significance of a few of these themes. Other important ideas like Iago's possible lack of a legitimate motivation (i.e. that of an unstoppable malignant force), or that he may be a true vice, or a human incarnation of the devil. That should be more than enough to impress. Hope this helps and good luck. Best get started early instead of waiting for the last few days. Have a few cue cards with talking points as well; it makes you look smarter (because you're not turning around to look at the board (if you're using one), and you don't miss anything important, getting your mind jogging).

[@atyaali7488]

Vincent Ma thanks alot you're so helpful 👍👍actually I don't have a courage 😭how I can do it I don't know

[@izwork831]

You lived though it 😂

[@ahmedhamam1243]

I hope I can study in the University someday and obtain my master degree from there. Anyone can help?

[@Lana.a_]

@Mourning Star you got a point lucifer

[@nihilisticnirvana]

she's left handed! just like myself!!!

[@sophienorth2013]

me listening to this at 1.75 speed 5 days before my exam-

[@yasserowied1376]

very thanks

[@TheDavidlloydjones]

This is not a video about the Shakespeare play "Othello." It is a report of a lecture given in a classroom somewhere.

[@eviolus-5660]

A video of a lecture about othello is a video about othello

[@elenaloffer1362]

hate off she talked for 1:49:00 nice job btw!

[@christopherbrookfield4785]

This lecture verged on the almost painful. A lecturer who uses far too many words in order to explain simple points, speaking to a room full of people who probably would still not understand it, even if she was better at trying to explain it. 🙄 It was probably all a metaphor for big willies. Same thing with Madonna's Like A Virgin. According to Mister Brown (Quentin Tarantino), in the opening scene Reservoir Dogs. 🐕

[@animeboy4745]

15:44

[@animeboy4745]

1:16:44

[@Flowertot]

1:08:12

[@user-oq4np7vx9n]

Othello is introducing of enemy.

[@annamusaye881]

I like Shakespear's Text

[@fadwa3010]

I'm disappointed nobody mentioned gender divide as a theme. It's so important in the play. Women's rights is insufficient, because pressures on men like Othello to be masculine, leaders, charismatic, and noble, hugely fueled his insecurities which in turn fueled his doubt of Desdemona. It isn't about women, it's the interaction between both genders. Is this really Harvard? I'm 17 doing my A-level English in England and not to toot my own horn, but I'm doing far better than these students and asking far better questions. Great lecture though :) Cringy questions

[@simonstephenson6764]

Fadwa You’re doing a play a week? These students are.

[@FidesAla]

That's true, but those expectations were kind of universal, they feature in every play -- and every other piece of media except a few that intentionally refuse them. With 1 week and 2hrs per play, I think those concerns are a lot more prominent with Hamlet (which is, essentially, he doesn't act because he isn't sure if he buys into the cult of masculinity and he's grasping for an alternative but clouded by his grief).

[@rachnakapoor2685]

I mean this is one lecture and it's one of the best unis in the world so I wouldn't get too ahead of yourself by saying you are doing far better than students there because it's tough to get into and through an Ivy league so let's not compare.

[@nellfithen5683]

the racism guy is so funny

[@simsimma7781]

moor means black

[@simsimma7781]

+Sim Simma shakespeare is quiet clear about his colour

[@CrisSelene]

No it does not. It means Muslim from the North of Africa.

[@1SUNGODELBASIR]

Cris05 same thing. Muslim is a verb.

[@jameslowell9656]

@@1SUNGODELBASIR what?

[@andi8343]

Nope, the Moors were the arabs that Had conquered parts of spain in the middle ages. Over time it became a catchall term for africans.

[@Ozgipsy]

It’s very hard for Americans to look past their own racial history. It’s a massive blind spot. Venice is at war with the Muslim ottomans, Othello is a representative of theirs. The Atlantic slave trade hasn’t started yet, and when someone turns up who is different trouble follows.

[@MysterMalik]

If she spoke faster the lecture would've been 10 times shorer. I only watched the first 5 minutes but just saying.

[@altamontdarby2819]

I'm sorry, but let us not forget the character Othello didn't write the play. Shakespeare knew he had to keep "Othello's lust, passion and sex, with a young white woman out of the play. A little like Hollywood. Wouldn't sell...

[@amylouise6646]

whats her accent?

[@jacobdigby6404]

Italian

[@pherpui3764]

New York jewey

[@olly1793]

Spaghetti

[@enzogattuccio6833]

shocking that none of these nerds can identify sex as a major theme of Othello.

[@chaneldelarosa9786]

Enzo Gattuccio sex falls under the theme of "love"

[@FetlabetaGaming]

They forgot gender and identity. The lecturer is amazing, however, these students are a bit wonky.

[@girlplease3217]

Americans tend to be taught slightly slower than the rest of the world, so like this is slightly lower than what is expected at ALEVEL (junior and senior year) in england. im not sure where you're from but if you're not american that's probably why their knowledge comes across as a little basic

[@Shannon.m_a]

I know, I mean we all gave better answers at AS English Literature! And the highest grade out in the entire class was a B. God if these students sat the exam they'd probably get D's. American's seem to have it so easy...If this is Harvard...oh my lord...

[@jameslowell9656]

@@FetlabetaGaming identity is the most overused , garbage theme people bring up. Literally every piece of literature deals with identity. It's nothing special and is what basic level thinkers see as deep and important.

[@kenhart8771]

In Othello it’s mention MOOR, so probably North Africa. Nice lecture even useless in these times. Weak men create tough times as we’re heading towards globally.

[@ew803]

its interesting the degree of consideration this professor spends on analyzing the potential range of skin color of Othello is or intended to be... additional her use of "elegance" for lightness and "minstrel" for darkness to describe representations of Othello. THIS is an ignorance and consequential miseducation... which extends systemic

[@ifeeltiredsleepy]

I get your point, though Ian Smith and other black critics have made similar observations when looking at the history of interpretation of Othello. In some ways these distinctions that were made historically by people like Coleridge show something interesting about the evolution of whiteness and the othering of black people. How 19th century readers/audiences jumped through hoops to distinguish Othello from regular black folks. It's a missed opportunity by the lecturer to do something to think critically about Othello's relationship to our understanding of race.

[@parsahn9478]

why does she lick her fingers? :/

[@Only1INDRAJIT]

To keep the flow going.. You know what I mean. Only those why actually perform it can tell the exact reason or subconscious drive behind the act. It's a by product or side reaction or sub-pattern of behaviour of dealing with certain problem in an efficient and business like manner

[@khonsuwerk9757]

residue of The Moor's more!

[@adashinskaya]

because she uses chalk, it dries uo your skin

[@mervynalexander5111]

It may be that Othello was never 'made' to consummate his marriage because his wife was white.

[@slowneutron6163]

Maybe I can get my mommy to pay off admissions and testing so I can steal someone's deserving seat in your prestigious school so that I may listen to you blather on about a play I learned back and forth all on my own. I used to have immense respect for the Ivy League schools. But time has given proof to the axiom : educated does not necessarily mean intelligent....................or deserving of the chance. ANON!

[@Laocoon283]

Getting blacked

[@johnspringer4870]

This lecturer is off putting.. what is up Harvard ?

[@ddcll9538]

is that a guy or a girl?

[@MadridZone15]

He is your mother

[@Bashaleya1]

Neither. An eminent woman.

[@ginge641]

Yes.

[@jennyhirschowitz1999]

Dreadful lecture.

[@pherpui3764]

Sad lecture from a likely underpaid adjunct. Othello Black? Othello, was a Moor, prob. North African and therefore just very tanned, not Subsaharan African. This is painful to watch. Resembles a high school class for remedial English rather than an Ivy League....

[@AskeGW]

Uhm Othello's exact etnicity is a disputed matter and not clear in the play.

[@On3Thought]

Black ram, thick lips.

[@senrom2273]

Marjorie Garber is hardly an “underpaid adjunct.” You should do a little reading and be sure of what you’re saying before you comment.

[@imadeaparachute]

Marjorie Garber is a highly respected academic voice, she is taught as a critic in my degree.

[@Flowertot]

His ethnicity is under debate, the light skinned idea came from the ‘golden age’ where slightly tanned white men would play Othello because the he was seen as too complex a character to be a black man

[@daisysemma]

50:33