Act One, Scene Two Flashcards
I: Though in the trade of war I have slain men,
I: Stuff of the conscience to do no contrived murder
> en medias res again
pretence as faithful servant
ability to assume deceptive appearance
Iago wants to kill Roderigo for disloyalty
O: Tis better as it is
> calm, dignified response
rejects impulsive action
threats and insults do not touch him
I: And spoke such scurvy and provoking terms
> hypocrite
lays blame on Roderigo - ascribes to him his crude descriptions
I: And hath in his effect a voice potential as double as the Duke’s
> warning Othello
telling him of Roderigo’s insults against him - trying to incite fury
does not succeed at enflaming Othello
O: Let him do his spite. My services which I have done the signiory shall out-tongue his complaints
> acting with modest nobility
rightful pride
conviction, measured language
imperative control
O: I fetch my life and being from men of royal siege
> Othello is of noble birth
I: You were best go in
> directing Othello to hide just like he did
O: Not I. I must be found
O: My parts, my title and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly
> outward being = same as inner being
juxtaposes Iago’s image
feels he has nothing to hide
complete integrity
I: By Janus
> two-faced Roman God
Enter Cassio, with Officers, and Torches
> audience anticipates arrival of Brabantio
Shakespeare does not immediately satisfy expectations
maintains tension and threat of conflict still to come
C: Dozen sequent messengers
C: At one another’s heels
> indicates urgent activity in the night
news of the Cyprus wars
groups searching for Othello
comings and goings referenced in Cassio’s speech reinforce sense of activity and agitation in the night conveyed by the action of the scene itself
correspondence between Othello’s personal life and threat to the state
O: I will but spend a word here in the house
> critical - Venice is at war
priority is still Desdemona
I: He hath boarded a land carrack
> abrasive sexual description
C: I do not understand
> calling out Iago’s language
difference in class and social standing
Enter […] and Torches
> symbolic of illumination of characters psychological darkness
I: General be advised, he comes with bad intent
> feigned loyalty
B: Thief!
> women are property
impassioned and insulting
O: Keep up your bright swords for the dew will not rust them
> delicate language
B: Thou hast practiced on her with foul charms
B: Thou hast enchanted her!
> threat of bewitchment
hysterical
Othello ostracized
society’s internalised truth
B: Sooty bosom
B: To fear, not to delight
> xenophobic attitudes
B: An abuser of the world
> melodrama in speech
attacking Othello’s integrity
subject of public ridicule
O: Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
> sustained sense of nobility
experience soldier identity
prestige of Othello’s role
important contrasts; Othello description vs reality, Iago’s deviousness vs Othello’s integrity, Othello’s dignity and calm vs Brabantio’s insulting
B: How? The Duke in council? At this time of night?
> disbelief
lack of control in hysteria
B: Any of my brothers of the state
B: Our statesmen be
> pronouns emphasising Othello’s ‘outsider’ status
us vs them
