Textual Integrity In Othello 26243i

Textual Integrity of Shakespeare’s OTHELLO What the…?

What does “textual integrity” even mean??

• Why is OTHELLO still performed?… studied?… appropriated?... discussed?....??? • Are the events in the play even relevant in today’s world? • How do the characters sustain their ‘timeless’ appeal? • Have the values, attitudes and beliefs (explored in the play) changed during the last 400 years? http://coolstuffschool.com

The syllabus defines textual integrity as: •• •• ••

•• •• •• •• •• ••

Agreement Agreement Harmony Harmony The The way way it it “fits” “fits” together together

Clear Clear Rational Rational Consistent Consistent Reasonable Reasonable Believable Believable relevant relevant

•• •• •• •• ••

Method Method Play Play Script Script Structure Structure construction construction

O O The unity of a text; its coherent use of form

and language to produce an integrated whole in of meaning and value. (p 100)

•• •• •• •• ••

Language Language features features Literary devices Literary devices Dramatic Dramatic techniques techniques Style Style

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•• •• •• •• ••

Believable Believable Realistic Realistic No No inconsistent inconsistent actions actions or or reactions reactions Complete Complete narrative narrative Everything Everything “fits” “fits” and and makes sense – even makes sense – even the the ambiguous ambiguous bits bits  

•• •• •• •• ••

Ideas Ideas and and their their importance importance Worthiness Worthiness of of knowing knowing the the characters characters Relevance Relevance of of the the actions actions and and consequences consequences Merit Merit usefulness usefulness

Evaluating a text… in of its textual integrity… requires you to CAREFULLY consider: O the features and elements of a text = O Language features O Poetic devices O Structure O Social/cultural values, beliefs and attitudes O Religious vs secular laws O The symbolism of the handkerchief O Elizabethan (religious conflict) values and context O Contrasting images / characters O Characterisation O Dramatic techniques

In other words… “evaluating a text in of its textual integrity” ••means… Consistent Consistent and and

“realistic “realistic & & human” human” characters characters

O the extent to which it may

possess an overall unity =

–– when when they’re they’re all all put put together.. together.. How How important important are are •• Language Language features features all all these these •• Poetic devices Poetic devices • Structure • Structure things… things… •• Themes / events /

Themes / events / settings settings •• Values, Values, beliefs beliefs and and attitudes attitudes •• Religious Religious symbolism symbolism and and laws laws •• Elizabethan Elizabethan (religious (religious conflict) conflict) values values and and context context •• The The symbolism symbolism of of the the handeerchief handeerchief • • contrasting contrasting images images // http://coolstuffschool.com

•• Believable Believable sequence sequence (and (and consequences) consequences) of of events events

…in …in giving giving the the play play its… its…

•• Relevant Relevant & & “timeless” “timeless” values, values, attitudes, attitudes, beliefs beliefs and and issues issues •• Valid, Valid, interesting, interesting, controversial controversial and and ongoing ongoing appeal appeal to to different different audiences, audiences, directors directors and and actors actors

Ok… so… ???? So… O Literary students and academics – people who are educated and “cultured” – people who like to go to the theatre – English teachers – historians – play and film directors – actors – and, other people who like to argue over what things (texts) “really” mean – all these people - they all… …LUUUUUURRRRVE TO ARGUE… (and sound very intelligent) ABOUT WHAT THEY EACH THINK ABOUT THE “REAL”, TRUE NATURE OF THE CHARACTERS AND EVENTS IN OTHELLO!!!

In other words… In simple 21st-Century-teenage, non-board-ofstudies, non-English-syllabus-jargon and plainEnglish-… Think of Shakespeare’s OTHELLO as being the cause of arguments between readers (-- audiences – directors – and, actors) in the same way that 21st Century texts cause you to “argue” with a friend (or frenemy) about things like: http://coolstuffschool.com

that 21st Century texts…eg:

The Hunger Games… Sparks “discussions” / arguments / debates about things like:

O The book is so much more

“believable” and powerful than the film O The film is not consistent with the book! O Katniss seems like a total b*%@ in the film – whereas, in the book, that’s not her character at all! O Team Peter!!!… tots  http://coolstuffschool.com

that 21st Century texts…eg:

Twilight… Sparks “discussions” / arguments / debates about things like: O Kristen Stewart is a hopeless actress and is nothing like

how Bella should be portrayed! O Team Edward! O All the characters are so superficial and one-dimensional!!

None of them are believable at all! O I hate how all the ing characters (especially the

teenagers) are so stereotyped and “predictable”…

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OTHELLO… ??? Shakespeare Shakespeare uses uses dramatic dramatic and and language language techniques techniques to to make make responders responders develop develop and and form form their their own own opinions, opinions, reactions reactions and and conclusions conclusions about about the the “true” “true” nature nature (interpretation) (interpretation) of: of: • The characters: their “true” natures and individual agendas;

It It would would seem seem that that Shakespeare Shakespeare has has deliberately deliberately and and carefully carefully written written the the play play

• the MOTIVATIONS of the events;

so so that that the the “truth” “truth” is is

• the consequences of the events;

this this ambiguity ambiguity is is the the thing thing that that

• the conflict between values and the human “flaws”; • The social and cultural divisions

ambiguous… ambiguous… ensures ensures that that you you –– and and other other readers readers -- actors actors –– directors directors –– artists artists –– students… students… …will …will continue continue to to “argue” “argue” about about the the play play for for a a long long time time to to come! come!

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A writer needs to have DEEP INSIGHT AND HIGHLY-DEVELOPED SKILL in: O language O narrative structure O characterisation O motifs O lexical chains O imagery O irony – juxtaposition – connotation – metaphor and symbolism…

etc…

to be able to successfully develop numerous of levels of ambiguity (and certainty of “truth”) in the characters and their relationships. If a composer is NOT highly skilled in this aspects of writing– the text will have NO textual integrity! The text will just be undeveloped, confusing, and/or unbelievable! Which means no-one would even bother discussing it…

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