Act 2, Scene 1 - Context Flashcards
What does the arrival at Cyprus show a couple of aspects of?
Love
How does Cassio praise Desdemona? How is “the riches” used?
“Divine”, “Our great captain’s captain”
“Riches of the ship”
What is Desdemona’s immediate concern around Cassio? What reception is Cassio given?
Whether or not he has met her “Lord”
Positive and exaggerated
Which 2 characters engage in a quarrel? What 2 ways can this be interpreted?
Desdemona and Iago
Amusing or bitter
How does Desdemona describe Iago? What did Iago imply?
A “slanderer”
Prostitutes “rise to play and go to bed to work”
What is the quarrel a subtext of?
The power men have over women
Who is noticeably silent in the quarrel? What does this imply?
Emilia
Her meekness around Iago
What does Desdemona contest about Iago? What does this typify?
Iago’s witticisms
Power in the face of misogyny
What does Desdemona contest about Iago? What does this typify?
Iago’s witticisms
Power in the face of misogyny
Which characters appear confident in the face or misogyny?
Emilia and Desdemona
Which 2 characters speak poetically of their love?
Othello and Desdemona
How does Othello describe Desdemona? How does he use winds to describe her?
“Fair warrior and his soul’s joy”
“May the winds blow till they have waken death”
What does Desdemona hope on? What for?
Heavens
“Loves and comforts should increase”
What could a perceptive audience member note about the storm?
Its irony - more storm is about to brew
