Cassio Flashcards
Polished and courteous
described as having a “smooth dispose”
Unlike Iago he “speaks home” and possess an urbane and cultural idiolect.
benefited from a 1st class education - describes himself as a “bookish theoric” and an “arithmetician”
draws attention to his own erudition(learning) when he dismisses Iago’s witticisms as being “more in the soldier than the scholar”
Lacks military experience
His pampered upbringing lacks the stir of Othello’s
His soldiership is “mere prattle without practice” and “that he never set a squadron in the field”
appointed the job as result of his social standing and high-ranked connections alone “tis the curse of service, preferment goes by letter and affection”
lack of self control
spectacular fall from grace in act 2
Instructed by Othello “to look to the guard to-night”
soldiers are in full revelry as “tis a night of revels” all Cassio has to do is not allow it to lose control
His inexperience is shown as he is manipulated into becoming crapulent.
Even though he is aware he has “poor and unhappy brains for drinking” he lacks the self-restraint to prevent himself from doing that.
The ensuing brawl embarrass Othello and risks endangering the town as Othello puts it “a town of war, yet wild, the people’s hearts brim full-of-fear…..tis monstrous”
Despite moral failing he is contrite
Acute sense of shame and guilt as he says “I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial”
Genuinely wracked by remorse and is profoundly disappointed in himself and as he says it makes “me frankly despise myself”
Loyalty
epitomises this key moral virtue
As Desdemona say “you do love my lord”
Similarly she reminds us that Cassio “shared dangers” with Othello
We learn also of Cassio’s loyalty as he helped Othello in winning Desdemona’s affection as Othello remarks “he went between us oft”
He was also truly concerned for Othello’s well being during the “foul and violent tempest”
Lack of respect for Bianca
calls her a “bauble” “a fitchew” and a “monkey” and guffaws at the notion of marrying her
He tells her he is embarrassed to be seen with her “ nor my wish, to have him see me woman’d”
Lies to her face saying “faith sweet love, I was coming to your house”
