Othello In Offaly

Renowned actor and director Alan Stanford presents a series of podcasts interrogating and analysing various themes and tropes in 'Othello' by William Shakespeare . In these podcasts Alan directs students (as he would actors in rehearsal conditions) from Tullamore College, Coláiste Choilm, The Sacred Heart School, Tullamore and Wilson's Hospital School, Co. Westmeath in key scenes building toward meaning and subtext for both actor and audience.

Alan and the students explore characters and their relationships, language and context, time and space, symbolism and metaphor, mood and atmosphere and how dramatic construction creates dramatic tension in Shakespeare's 'Othello'.

'Othello In Offaly' includes supplementary podcasts with sample examination answers from teachers and favourite quotes from students.

The 'Othello In Offaly' podcasts were recorded over a two-day period in Tullamore Co. Offaly in 2006. RTÉ Drama On One would like to thank the staff and students at Coláiste Choilm, Tullamore College, The Sacred Heart School, Tullamore and Wilson's Hospital School, Co. Westmeath.

The presenter was Alan Stanford. On sound was Pat Hogan. The Production team was Cathryn Brennan, Fionnuala Hayes, Liam O'Brien and Kevin Reynolds.

The Series Producer of Drama On One is Kevin Reynolds

1. Othello - Act 1 Sc.1 - The Opening and Introduction of Iago

2. Othello - Act 1 Sc.1. Favourite Quote. "I follow him to serve my turn upon him". (1.1.)

3. Othello - Roderigo's racism "What a full fortune does the Thick-lips owe If he can carry't thus!" (Act 1, Scene 1, line66).

4. Othello - Iago’s villainy and Othello’s entrance (Act 1. Scenes 1 & 2)

5. Othello - Sample Answer on "Jealousy is one of the predominant themes in Othello" by teacher John Lydon


6. Othello - The character contrast between Othello and Brabantio (Act 1. Scene 2)


7. Othello - Desdemona as Feminist. Venice vs Cyprus (Act 1, Scene 3)

8. Othello - Witchcraft and the wooing of Desdemona." (Act 1, Scene 3)

9. Othello - Iago fuels Othello’s jealousy (Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio; Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure. Act 3, Scene 3)


10. Othello - Desdemona explains her love of Othello to Brabantio "My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty. To you I am bound for life and education." (Act 1, Scene 3)

11. Othello - Sample Answer on "Discuss the struggle between Good versus Evil in Shakespeare’s Othello" by teacher Joanne Butler.

12. Othello - Actors Peter Macon (Othello) and Marty Rea (Iago) discuss the 2016 Abbey Theatre production of Shakespeare's Othello directed by Joe Dowling (5 May - 11 June 2016), other Shakespearean roles they have played and Shakespeare on film.


13. Othello - Iago sets up the dismissal of Cassio and reveals he too loves Desdemona (Act 2, Scene 1, lines 265 -

14. Othello - Act 3, Scene 3. Favourite Quote. In sleep I heard him say 'Sweet Desdemona, Let us be wary, let us hide our loves.' And then, sir, would he gripe and wring my hand

15. Othello - Act 2, Scene 1 lines 291. Wife for wife. Iago obsession that he is cuckolded by Othello and Cassio - Now, I do love her too; Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure I stand accountant for as great a sin, But partly led to diet [feed] my revenge


16. Othello - Act 3, Scene 3. Line 289. Favourite Quote. My life upon her faith! Honest Iago

17. Othello - Act 2 Scene 3 Cassio’s weakness

18. Othello - Act 2, Sc.3. Line 220. Favourite Quote. I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio

19. Othello - Act 2, Scene 3. Line 27. Iago’s ingenuity at plotting every opportunity to destroy those he hates. He exploits Cassio’s weakness for drink.

20. Othello - The Character of Iago

21. Othello - Symbolism in Othello

22. Othello - The Character of Emilia

23. Othello - Act 2, Scene 3. Line 171. Iago condemns Cassio by telling the truth. For Christian shame put by this barbarous brawl.

24.Othello - Sample Answer. Discuss the Theme of Appearance and Reality in Shakespeare's Othello by teacher Frank Cleary

25. Othello - Act 2, Scene 3. Line 283. Iago, using weaknesses as weapons, persuades Cassio to ask Desdemona’s help.

26. Othello - Alan Stanford discusses Reputation in Shakespeare’s Othello

27. Othello - The ruthlessness of Iago

28. Othello - Act 3, Scene 3. Iago exploits Desdemona’s good nature

29. Othello - Racist overtones in the animal imagery in Shakespeare’s Othello

30. Othello - Act 3, Scene 3. Line 84. Desdemona pleads for Cassio

31. Othello - Act 1, Scene 2. Othello as a noble, powerful leader

32. Othello - Act 3, Scene 3. Line 90. Iago’s use of repetition to manipulate thought, reputation and implant doubt and jealousy

33. Othello - Act 3, Scene 3. Line 257. Othello’s soliloquy on suspicion and doubt.

34. Othello - Act 3, Scene 3.Favourite Scene - The Temptation Scene


35.Othello - Act 4, Scene 1. Line 178. Desdemona's fate is sealed .How shall I murder him, Iago? Othello swears also to kill his wife this night, he curses her and weeps over her at the same time, mingling love and murder: for she shall not live; no, my heart is turned to stone

36. Othello - Favourite character - Othello

37. Othello - Act 3, Scene 3. Line 289. Emilia finds the handkerchief and gives it to Iago

38. Othello - Sample Answer on "Desdemona’s character is not credible. She is simply too good to be true " by teacher Kenneth Crann

39. Othello - Act 3, Scene 3. Line 381. Repetition of the word 'think’. Imputation and strong circumstance mean Cassio (and Desdemona) must die

40. Othello - 3 Favourite Quotes - Act 1 Scenes 2 &3 ‘ a foul thief’ - Act 4, Scene 1 ‘Let her rot and perish’. Act 1 Scene 3 ‘she has deceived her father and may thee’

41. Othello - Act 3, Scene 4. Othello eloquently outlines the Egyptian’s Warning about the handkerchief and pushes Desdemona to lie

42. Othello - Favourite character - Othello's nobility

43. Othello - Favourite quote - Act 1, Scene 1. Line 86. Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise

44. Othello - Favourite quote - Act 1, Scene 3. Line 95. A maiden never bold, Of spirit so still and quiet

45. Othello - Act 4, Scene 2 - line 1 . The word never Othello interrogates Emilia

46. Othello - Favourite quote - Act 4, Scene 1, line 264. Lodovico - Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate, Call all-in-all sufficient?

47. Othello - Favourite Character - Roderigo

48. Othello - Favourite Character - Desdemona

49. Othello - Act 4, Scene 2 - line 34. Othello accuses Desdemona of adultery. Come, swear it, damn thyself. Lest, being like one of heaven, the devils themselves. Should fear to seize thee. Therefore be double damned.

50. Othello - Favourite Character - Iago

51. Othello - Act 4, Scene 2, line 139 The Moor's abused by some most villainous knave, Some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow.

52. Othello - Favourite Character - Without Desdemona there is no play

53. Othello - Favourite Character - Iago’s cleverness

54. Othello - Act 5, Scene 1, line 12. Iago’s endgame - Now, whether he kill Cassio Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, Every way makes my gain.

55. Othello - Act 5, Scene 2, line 1. Othello’s indecision. It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul, Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars.

56. Othello - The Theme of Jealousy

57. Othello - Favourite Scene. Act 5, Scene 2

58. Othello - Act 5, Scene 2. Othello kills Desdemona

59. Othello - Discuss the importance of Othello’s transformation in the Temptation Scene (Act 3, Scene 3) by teacher Claire McWilliams

60. Othello - Act 5, Scene 2. Emilia tells Othello the truth

61. Othello - Quiz 1

62. Othello - Quiz 2

63. Othello - Quiz 3

64. Othello - Quiz 4

65. Othello - Overture voiced by the RTÉ REP including Harry Andrews, Jim Reid and Colette Proctor. The music is Hawkmoon 269 by U2