Bianca Flashcards
Act 3 Scene 4, Bianca expresses her disappointment and anger at the thought of Cassio having another mistress; however she accepts that her low position in society makes her virtually powerless. She must tolerate Cassio’s poor treatment of her. ‘‘must’’
'’Tis very good: I must be circumstanced.’’
Cassio makes disrespectful comments about Bianca and laughs at the thought of marrying her - any rumours of their marriage is purely from Bianca’s side of things. Cassio addresses Bianca by her profession. We see an arrogant side to Cassio, the way he treats women are dependent on their social class.
'’I marry her? What? A customer! […] Ha, ha, ha !’’
Heavy repetition - distressed, shows her true love for Cassio, evokes sympathy as the audience is prompted to contrast Bianca’s caring behaviour against Cassio’s behaviour towards her.
'’O, my dear Cassio, my sweet Cassio,
'’Alas he faints! O Cassio/ Cassio, Cassio!’’
Emilia degrades Bianca which opposes her strongly feminist character. Bianca demonstrates a strong sense of character as she defends her honour.
E: ‘‘Fie, fie upon thee strumpet!’’
B: ‘‘I am no strumpet, bit of life as honest/ As you that thus abuse me.’’
What could be a historicist reading of Bianca?
Bianca’s job is a result if the time period she lived in where financial support wasn’t available for her. She is not to blame .
What could be a feminist reading of Bianca?
A feminist reading of Bianca cis that she uses her femininity to seduce men and attract customers to make a living. However she can be viewed as degrading herself and her femininity by doing so.
What could be a psychoanalytical reading of Bianca?
Bianca’s actions may be out of desperation from the severity of her financial situation - her relationship with Cassio could be seen as a lifeline for Bianca and she falls in love with Cassio and the idea of a life removed from poverty.
What does Simpson say about Bianca?
'’Bianca is like Othello and Cassio, an outsider’’
’’ An Italian name that translates as white’’
'’She underscores the theme of jealousy’’
What does Bastin say about Bianca?
'’Bianca alters the essence of ‘Othello’, bringing a measure of humanity that gives depth to the narrative’’
What does Norris say about Bianca?
'’Although she doesn’t say much in the play, she reflects the angers and hurts of many characters’’
'’Bianca is also an allusion to the problematic status of women both in this period and today.’’
What does Eales say about Bianca?
'’Untrustworthy, over-talkative and weaker in judgement’’
What does Hall say about Bianca?
'’Bianca is a sexually free woman who is nevertheless pure in spirit’’
