Chapter 10 Flashcards
What is the significance of the word “story” in Othello, and who utters it each time in the play?
Answer:
The word “story” appears four times in Othello, and each time it is uttered by Shakespeare’s titular character, Othello. It holds significance as it reflects Othello’s inclination towards storytelling to shape his identity and interpret his past, present, and future.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, what does storytelling primarily refer to?
Answer:
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, storytelling primarily refers to the action of telling lies. However, it also designates the action or activity of telling stories in general, not necessarily false ones.
How does storytelling play a role in Othello’s progression towards tragedy?
Answer:
Othello uses stories to frame and interpret his background, create his present identity, and anticipate future events. Desdemona becomes integral to Othello’s life story through empathy, leading to a sense of equality and inter-dependence between them.
What are the three main points of discussion related to storytelling in Othello mentioned in the text?
Answer:
The three main points of discussion are Othello’s reliability, Iago’s rhetorical skills, and the playwright’s own art of storytelling. These aspects aim to answer the question of whether storytelling is a positive tool or a destructive weapon in the play.
Why do Othello’s enemies accuse him of being a deceptive braggart, according to Iago?
Answer:
Othello is accused of being a deceptive braggart because he is perceived as embellishing elements of his life story to impress his auditors. Iago claims that Othello’s stories are filled with bombast circumstance and fantastical lies
In Othello’s narrative of winning and wooing, what role does he attribute to himself?
Answer:
In Othello’s narrative, he positions himself not as an active agent but as the one who wins Desdemona because she finds his stories compelling. Desdemona indirectly requests Othello to woo her through his storytelling.
What is the impact of Othello’s verbal excesses on his credibility as a soldier?
Answer: Othello’s verbal excesses, such as blustering epithets, prattling, and bragging, erode his credibility as a soldier, diminishing his liability to command respect.
How do both Iago and Othello use improvisation to assert power over others?
Answer: Both Iago and Othello use improvisation to define themselves and assert power, but this process is contingent on a constant performance of their stories, leading to a loss of their own origins and an embrace of the norms of another culture.
In what way does Iago forge a radical revision of Othello’s identity?
Answer: Iago insinuates himself into Othello’s trust by adopting Othello’s penchant for telling strange tales. He provides insider information, training his focus on the strange customs of Europe and ultimately transforming Othello’s identity from an assimilated hero to a monstrous cuckold.
How does Iago manipulate Othello’s trust through storytelling?
Answer: Iago manipulates Othello’s trust by adopting Othello’s preference for telling strange tales. He warns Othello of a supposed pandemic of cuckoldry in Europe, using pseudo-anthropological insights without providing evidence, relying on the credibility of the observer.
What is the significance of Iago’s warning to Brabantio about his daughter?
Answer: Iago warns Brabantio that his daughter is ‘making the beast with two backs’ with Othello, using imagery that suggests bestial coupling. This tactic aims to shock and provoke a reaction from Brabantio, playing on cultural fears and prejudices.
How does Iago assert credibility in his storytelling about European customs?
Answer: Iago asserts credibility by providing insider information about the drinking habits of various European nations. He claims to have learned these details in England, enhancing his narratives with an eye-witness aura to make them more convincing.
What is the initial impression of Othello’s speech in the play, and how does Shakespeare’s writing style evolve as the plot unfolds?
Answer 1:
Othello begins with dignified, iambic verse, showcasing rhetorical prowess. However, as the plot progresses, Shakespeare introduces a mixed mode of writing, transitioning from verse to prose. This hybrid form reflects the evolving emotional climax and the tragic experience.
How does Othello’s language change under the influence of Iago’s manipulation, and what does this signify in terms of the play’s themes?
Answer 2:
Under Iago’s influence, Othello’s verse becomes infected, leading to a terrifying capitulation into prose marked by grammatical disorder and repetitions. This shift in language reflects Othello’s descent into immense suffering and radical change, encapsulating the basic tragic experience.
Who primarily speaks in prose in the play, and how does it relate to their character and ambitions?
Answer 3:
Iago is the chief prose speaker, using it with lesser dupes like Roderigo and Cassio. Prose serves as the vehicle for Iago’s insidious ambitions, confessions, and manipulation of others, turning them into his agents. Othello’s adoption of prose is dictated by Iago, showcasing the power dynamics.
