act 5 scene 1 Flashcards
iago:
‘if cassio do remain, he hath a daily beauty in his life that makes me ugly;’
cassio’s happiness make’s iago angry
cassio is more likeable and aesthetically appealing - he is a better man in a public sphere than iago is.
has to have him killed to make himself look better
ugliness or morals?
although often iago is labels as a ‘motiveless villain’ this quote highlights his jealousy as one of the sources and roots to the tragedy he is creating, emphasizing the destructive nature of jealousy as a whole - deterrent to audience
othello:
‘oh brave iago, honest and just, that hast such a noble sense of thy friend’s wrong! though teachest me’
dramatic irony
height of which othello has fallen is extremely evident here - mighty war general who should not be taught how to slay and kill
audience continue to view the extent that othello is completely blind to iago’s villainy which is where the absurd and comic nature lies
iago:
[enter iago with a light]
light has connotations of truth - ironic
manipulates the whole play, shining light on certain things to twist the truth, whilst shielding other things in the shadows. adding to the confusion of chaos. also links to his false pretence of being a saviour and innocent, using his light to act as an angel.
an absence of darkness and a quality that will help us to see – and understand - more clearly.
symbolises holiness
roderigo:
‘o damned iago! o inhuman dog!’
recognises iago’s villainy- tragic as it is too late for roderigo and thus anyone else to recognise this villainous trait in iago
bestial imagery against iago also creates a poignant contrast to the bestial slander of othello earlier. its like the irony in his slander of othello (a heroic character at the time) is flipped into a clarity that comes (tragically) far too late this last moment of realisation as roderigo sees the truth just too late
with no conscious or morals capable of evil, harmful acts
gluttony, scavengers sent by god to tear and devour.
