Cassio Quotes

Question 1

‘A great arithmetician, one Michael Cassio, a Florentine… that never set a squadron in the field…more than a spinster’ - Iago in Act 1 Scene 1

Answer 1

Cassio is intelligent yet has no knowledge of warfare - he’s ill-suited to being Othello’s officer.

Question 2

‘Tis the curse of service: preferment goes by letter and affection and not by old gradation’ - Iago in Act 1 Scene 1

Answer 2

Iago is critical of how Cassio was appointed on praise and not merit, yet that’s how Iago tried to get the job. He’s hypocritical of society’s way of promotion and how it favours men like Cassio - connected, high class, privileged.

Question 3

‘He hath achieved a maid that paragons description and wild fame’ - Cassio in Act 2 Scene 1

Answer 3

Cassio is full of passionate, high praise for Desdemona which Iago will poison, twisting his chivalry and making Cassio seem in love with Desdemona and disloyal to Othello.

Question 4

‘The knave is handsome, young, and hath all those requisites in him that folly and green minds look after’ - Iago in Act 2 Scene 1

Answer 4

Cassio is the ideal, perfect fit for Desdemona. He has what Othello lacks - he has youth, looks and is white.

Question 5

‘Sir he’s rash and very sudden in choler, and haply with his truncheon may strike at you’ - Iago in Act 2 Scene 1

Answer 5

Iago lies to Roderigo as part of his wicked scheme, saying that Cassio is quick to anger.

Question 6

‘For I fear Cassio with my nightcap too’ - Iago in Act 2 Scene 2

Answer 6

Iago is deluded, believing Cassio has also slept with Emilia.

Question 7

‘Good Michael’ - Othello in Act 2 Scene 3

Answer 7

Highlights their trusting and close friendship.

Question 8

‘I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking… dare not task my weakness with any more’ - Cassio in Act 2 Scene 3

Answer 8

Cassio’s weakness is alcohol which Iago will use to his advantage.

Question 9

‘I fear the trust Othello puts him in, on some odd time of his infirmity, will shake this island’ - Iago in Act 2 Scene 3

Answer 9

Iago is lying to Montano in order to tarnish Cassio’s reputation.

Question 10

‘Cassio, I love thee; but never more be officer of mine’ - Othello in Act 2 Scene 3

Answer 10

This rash decision made by Othello contrasts with their loyal friendship earlier in the play. Othello trusts Iago wholly, and did not hear Cassio’s side of the story.

Question 11

‘Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation. I have lost the immortal part of myself’ - Cassio in Act 2 Scene 3

Answer 11

Cassio regards reputation as everlasting, it defines his legacy and now it is blackened. He speaks in prose as it is a symbol of chaos and now he feels defeated and purposeless.

Question 12

‘I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest!’ - Cassio in Act 3 Scene 1

Answer 12

Dramatic irony as Cassio blindly trusts Iago and heeds his advice to request Desdemona’s help. He likens Iago to one of his own countrymen, showing his gratefulness.

Question 13

‘There are a kind of mens loose of soul that in their sleep will mutter their affairs - one of this kind is Cassio’ - Iago in Act 3 Scene 3

Answer 13

Iago is describing Cassio as sinful and immoral to Othello and is lying in order to provide Othello with ‘proof’ of the affair.

Question 14

‘Within these three days let me hear thee say that Cassio’s not alive’ - Othello in Act 3 Scene 3

Answer 14

Cassio is now completely wrapped up in Iago’s malicious plan, he is in the exact place where Iago wants him to be - a target that Othello wants to destroy.