Cassio Flashcards
How is Cassio presented in Othello?
- Courtier
- A victim of Iago and Othello
- His weakness is his preoccupation with appearance
- Treatment of women
- Final redemption
How is Iago presented as a courtier?
Iago’s monologue in Act I, i - despises him for his learning and academic accomplishment. Thinks he is not worthy of his position as he is not a soldier: “mere prattle without practice/is all his soldiership”, “a great arithmetician”,
First appearance in Act II, scene i - suggests Iago wrong about his leadership abilities but right about his courtliness. His manners may come across as suspicious to an audience as they do to Iago. “O behold/the riches of the ship is come on shore!” the hyperbole in this metaphor appears to us extravagant
Lines 100-101 (he kisses her) to Emilia overseen by Iago. Is it Iago’s jealousy here that gives him the idea of using Cassio to inflame Othello’s jealousy? The same scene ends with Iago’s soliloquy “For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too”
But he is diplomatic (in his words “You may relish him more in the soldier than in the scholar”)
What quotes show he is a victim of Iago and Othello?
He is unused to drinking and easily lead by Iago
He is unfairly judged by an Othello who is too preoccupied with his nuptials to give Cassio a fair trial
What quotes show his weakness is his preoccupation with appearance?
His main concern when drunk is that he does not appear so. This motivates his attack on Montano which brings his downfall
Comes across more forcefully in his complaints to Iago - his weakness being his dependence on social appearance - he considers “Reputation, reputation, reputation!” to be “the immortal part of myself” (II,iii 249-250). The immortal part of the self is the soul for a Christian. This weakness leads to his despair which is then exploited by Iago
What quotes represent his treatment of women?
The way in which he treats Bianca shows a reprehensible view of women - calling her “this bauble” - laughing about he with Iago - “this monkey” - very different from his ostentation in his previous courtly language to Desdemona in Act II, i. Though this is used as a plot device - for Othello to misconstrue
What is Cassio’s final redemption?
He is made governor of Cyprus, has the last words on Othello “he was great of heart”
