Act 2

Question 1

‘warlike moor’

‘worthy governor’

Answer 1

MONTANO- Depicts initial high regard for Othello. He has built up his reputation. Climbed up the social ladder.

Question 2

‘what tidings can you tell me of my lord’

Answer 2

DESDEMONA- First thing she says as she comes off ship. Depicts loyalty and keeping to her traditional role as a woman.

Question 3

‘you are pictures out of doors, bells in your parlours, wild-cats in your kitchen’

Answer 3

IAGO- degrades women and mocks them. depicts his view and level of respect for them. Patriarchal society.

Question 4

‘I am not merry, but I do beguile The thing I am by seeming otherwise’

Answer 4

DESDEMONA- A vs R.

Question 5

‘with as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio’

Answer 5

IAGO- he is the spider and everyone else is the pray. his predatory ways.

Question 6

‘Oh my souls joy’

Answer 6

OTHELLO- Expression of his love. She makes him happy. possible infatuation.

Question 7

‘her eye must be fed’

Answer 7

IAGO- Idea of an appetite being unsatiable. sexual desire. Plants seed in his mind and hints at her betraying him. After sex she will leave and find somebody else.

Question 8

‘A devilish Knave’

Answer 8

IAGO- describing Cassio, though the irony is that he is Devilish.

Question 9

‘But that was but courtesy’

Answer 9

RODERIGO- A vs R. He thinks they hugged but Iago persuades him that it’s much more than that. good way of pushing him deeper into the plan as he likes Desdemona thus jealousy is aroused.

Question 10

‘till I am evened with him ‘

Answer 10

IAGO- Revenge. feels a deep hatred for Othello yet we do not know what has caused him to be so riled up

Question 11

‘I put the Moor into a jealousy so strong That judgement cannot cure’

Answer 11

IAGO- plans to get Othello so riled up that he can’t think straight. Knows his weaknesses and how to play around with his mind. depicts his intelligence. wants to make him fall into stereotype of the aggressive uneducated black man.

Question 12

‘if I can fasten but one cup upon him…he’ll be full of quarrel and offence’

Answer 12

IAGO- part of his plan. the fight is used as a distraction so he can further his plan.

Question 13

‘tis evermore a prologue to his sleep’

Answer 13

IAGO- calls Cassio a drunk behind his back. messes with his reputation. Power of storytelling. A vs R.

Question 14

Love interrupted by violence ( fight scene)

Answer 14

Small foreshadowing

Question 15

‘Have you forgot all sense of place and duty’

Answer 15

IAGO- He is the one who has forgot his place and duty towards Othello. Keeps up act and acts loyal.

Question 16

‘For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl’

Answer 16

OTHELLO- Interesting to see him so engaged with Christianity despite being a convert. seems distant around the talk of “barbarian”. Sticking to his new identity? Weird unusual character for audience to see.

Question 17

‘My blood begins my safer guides to rule and passion’

Answer 17

OTHELLO- His typical level-headed demeanor is crumbling. First sign of him being ruled by his emotions, which is a development of his character. Makes it easier for Iago to slither in and aggravate it.

Question 18

‘Reputation, reputation, reputation!’

‘I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial’

Answer 18

CASSIO- Explosive reaction, shows he cared about his position/ reputation. Being a brute/bestial seems to be a fear shared by many and not just Othello.

Question 19

‘reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft go without merit, and lost without deserving’

Answer 19

IAGO- closest we get to his true opinion. A vs R. Unlike everyone else he is aware of the fragility of reputation and how it can be fabricated. Integrity to him is unimportant which is why he’s willing to risk it all. Others’ opinions/ his reputation is meaningless.

Question 20

‘Th’inclining Desdemona’
‘I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear’
‘i turn her virtue into pitch of her own goodness make the net that shall enmesh them all’

Answer 20

IAGO- soliloquy of him plotting at audience. Uses Desdemona’s good nature, innocence, and blindness to create a trap for them all. A provoking speech showing his true dark side. A typical pantomime proud villain.

Question 21

‘I’ll set her on’

Answer 21

IAGO- will use Emilia (wife) to set plan in motion and for her to plant the handkerchief. Lack of care for her, just a pawn in his game. betraying his partner is easy for him