Themes, motifs and symbols

IN OTHELLO AND THE STONE GODS

Themes: The big ideas … what the author thinks

Othello The author thinks … (love and

hate) The author thinks … (appearance

and reality) The author thinks … (prejudice) The author thinks … (jealousy)

The Stone Gods The author thinks … (love) The author thinks … (corporate

power) The author thinks … (beauty) The author thinks …

(environment) The author thinks … (technology) The author thinks …

(materialism)

Motifs: Smaller recurring ideas that support the themes

Othello Animal imagery Light and dark / black and white Gender Sex Marriage Identity and Reputation Military prowess Isolation Heaven and hell

The Stone Gods Reincarnation / repeating worlds Weather Lover’s dialogs Separation Reading

Symbols: concrete things representing ideas*

Othello Handkerchief Candle Venice and Cyprus Poison Desdemona’s song

The Stone Gods Books Golden Arches Robots Dogs The Stone Gods The radio signal

* Thus can represent motifs or themes