Act 4 Flashcards
Quote: How does Iago imply Othello has grown the horns of a cuckhold?
He continues to use innuendo and suggestion to manipulate Othello, asking questions like “Have you not hurt your head?” To imply that Othello has grown the horns of a cuckold. A cuckold is a man with an unfaithful wife.
Quote: How does Iago use double meaning to manipulate Othello?
He exploits the double meaning of the word “lie” to force Othello to draw his own conclusions about Cassio and Desdemona’s relationship.
Quote: How does Othello mimic Iago’s animalistic images?
His exclamation “goats and monkeys!” Echoes Iago’s taunts and shows how the image of Cassio and Desdemona as animals ready to mate has been torturing him.
Quote: How does Iago manipulate situations to enhance Othello’s jealousy?
He lowers his voice to ask Cassio about Bianca, knowing that Othello’s “jealousy” will make him understand Cassio’s comments “quite in the wrong.”
Quote: How is the transformation in Othello’s personality shown?
Iago points out that “he is much changed”.
Quote: What happens to Othello’s physical state?
He falls into “an epilepsy” and strikes Desdemona.
Quote: How does Othello seek advice from Iago?
“How shall I murder him, Iago?”
Quote: What method does Iago advise Othello to use to kill Desdemona?
“do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed.”
Quote: Othello’s violent and threatening language.
“chop [Desdemona] into messes!”
Quote: What does Desdemona believe about women?
Desdemona can’t believe that there is “any such woman” who would be unfaithful to her husband, Emilia is more realistic.
Quote: How does Desdemona anticipate her own death?
She asks Emilia to “shroud” her in her wedding sheets “If I do die before thee”.
Quote: How does the Willow Song parallel Desdemona and Othello?
Barbary was “in love” but her lover “proved mad” and “did forsake her”. Desdemona loves Othello, but he has been driven mad by jealousy.
Quote: How does the Willow Song foreshadow Desdemona’s fate?
Barbary “died singing it” and says the song “will not go from my mind”. This is further implication that death is on her mind.
What are willow trees symbolic of and what does this mean?
Willow trees are traditionally symbols of lost love, hinting that Desdemona has already metaphorically lost Othello.
Quote: How does Emilia show the double standard between men and women?
Men have affairs for “sport” and commit adultery, but expect their wives to remain chaste.
