1. The main character: The title immediately introduces the central figure of the play, Othello, the noble Moor of Venice. By placing Othello's name in the title, Shakespeare establishes him as the focal point of the drama. The audience's attention is drawn to understanding Othello's character, motivations, and struggles throughout the play.
2. Othello's otherness: The use of Othello's name also highlights his status as an outsider in Venetian society. As a foreigner and a person of color, Othello faces prejudice and racism from some characters. The title subtly alludes to the themes of racism, jealousy, and the destructive power of social prejudices explored in the play.
3. Themes of jealousy and deception: The title "Othello" also foreshadows the play's central themes of jealousy, manipulation, and deceit. These elements drive the tragic events that unfold, leading to Othello's downfall and ultimate tragedy.
4. Allusions to classical literature: The use of a character's name in the title was common in classical Greek and Roman literature. By naming the play after the protagonist, Shakespeare invokes this classical tradition and suggests that "Othello" belongs to a lineage of timeless, heroic tales.
5. Contrast with "The Moor of Venice": Some early versions of the play referred to it as "The Moor of Venice," highlighting Othello's ethnicity. By opting for the shorter title "Othello," Shakespeare shifted the focus more directly onto the individual rather than his place of origin, reinforcing the universality of the play's themes.
6. Symbolism and wordplay: The word "Othello" itself may carry symbolic or layered meanings. Some have suggested that it resembles the Italian word "o thello," which translates to "the jealous one," alluding to Othello's tragic flaw.
Overall, the title "Othello" effectively reflects the central themes, character, and dramatic complexities of Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece.