Act 1 scene 2

Question 1

“I love the gentle Desdemona.” - Othello

Answer 1

Presents the purity of their relationship at the start of the play.
Shows what their love was like before it was tainted by external poisons like war and Iago’s manipulation.
Uses soft and gentle adjectives - this gives Desdemona an angelic description.

Question 2

“My parts, my title and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly.” - Othello

Answer 2

Anaphora.
Shows Othello thinks highly of himself.
He believes in control and his later control of the confrontation with Brabantio confirms this.
He believes his title and actions will protect him.
Both pride and Othello defending himself.
“Perfect soul” – clear conscience in his marriage.

Question 3

“Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.” - Othello

Answer 3

Othello is an authoritative yet calm figure despite the threat of violence.
Suggests he’s able to stay calm under pressure – this is something that he can’t do as the play progresses.
Implies that Othello doesn’t completely resort to violence – goes against stereotypes of the time.

Question 4

“By Janus, I think no.” - Iago

Answer 4

Janus – two-faced Roman God.
This implies that Iago is also two-faced and a manipulator.
Shows that he’s able to present the façade of a trusting character in order to fulfil his motives.
The image of a white Venetian swearing to a Pagan god juxtaposes the stereotype of Pagan Africans associated with Othello.
Othello appears very aligned with the Christian doctrine.
Therefore, Shakespeare disproves stereotypes.