Cassio Flashcards
What are the 6 archetypes of Cassio?
Reputable scholar
Push-over
Honourable gentleman
Dishonest knave
Coward
Conman
How is Cassio presented as a reputable scholar in Acts 1-2? (4 points)
Cassio is initially introduced as “a great arithmetician, / […] a Florentine, / […] That never set a squadron in the field,” (1.1)
Establishes him as a man of logic and strategy rather than one of action - Iago implies he isn’t suited to warfare
In Shakespeare’s time, Florence was associated with intellect, progress, and the Renaissance - would’ve given the audience a good first impression of him
Cassio uses his education as a crutch, giving himself a sense of superiority - he says of lago, “You may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar,” (2.1)
How is Cassio presented as a push-over? (4 points)
For all Cassio’s alleged intelligence, he ends up being easily manipulated by lago
Despite saying he has “very poor and unhappy brains for drinking,” he later returns on stage and says, “They have given me a rouse [drink] already,” (2.3) - gives into temptation and gets drunk
He is also easily provoked into a fight with Roderigo, quickly losing his temper: “Let me go, sir; or I’ll knock you o’er the mazzard,” (2.3)
Shakespeare shows that Cassio is not as logical and controlled as he thinks he is
How is Cassio presented as an honourable gentleman? (6 points)
Shakespeare portrays Cassio as someone who is motivated by a deep-rooted sense of honour
He attributes his “manners” and “courtesy” to his “breeding” (2.1), suggesting he views himself as a respectable man of the upper classes
He is chivalrous to women, greeting Desdemona with “Hail to thee, lady!” (2.1) and saying she has “an inviting eye, and yet methinks right modest,” (2.3)
In Act 2.2, he refuses to disrespect a woman of high standing with such ‘locker room talk’ as lago tries to engage him in
His devotion to righteousness extends to Othello - his declaration that he would “rather sue to be despised than to deceive so good a commander…” (2.3) indicates he can’t bear to betray him
Reinforced by him saying “I may again / Exist and be a member of his love, Whom I, with all the office of my heart, / Entirely honour,” (3.4)
How is Cassio presented as a dishonest knave? (4 points)
Shakespeare shows that Cassio is not so generous with his honour towards all women
He leads on Bianca, a local courtesan, calling her “sweet love” (3.4) to her face though lago notes, “He, when he hears of her, cannot refrain / From the excess of laughter,” (4.1)
While Cassio refuses to sexualise or demean Desdemona, he is happy to call Bianca a “customer” who “haunts [him] in every place,” (4.1)
He is duplicitous and misogynistic - gladly takes advantage of Bianca for his own pleasure and doesn’t value her as a human being
How is Cassio presented as a coward? (5 points)
When Othello questions him about his drunken brawl, Cassio replies, “I pray you pardon me, I cannot speak,” (2.3)
Likewise, when Desdemona invites him to join her in talking with Othello, he declines, explaining, “I am very ill at ease, (3.3)
Without the title of Lieutenant, Cassio is afraid (possibly of Othello) and incapable
As a result, he asks Desdemona to speak for him, but still dares to pressure her into acting quickly: “That policy may either last so long… / My general will forget my love and service,” (3.3)
He is demanding and impatient, and he punishes others for this
How is Cassio presented as a conman? (4 points)
By the end, Shakespeare has made it clear that Cassio is not who he wants people to believe he is
The moment his role as lieutenant is taken away, he is a nobody: “I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial,” (2.3)
His cowardice and reluctance to take action for himself suggest he is not the brave soldier deserving of his lieutenancy
The chivalrous facade he puts on hides his proclivity for mocking and exploiting women - takes advantage of Desdemona’s generosity when he asks her to be his “solicitor” (3.3), with fatal consequences
