Desdemmona Flashcards
senate scene - speaks for self
‘let me find a charter in your voice’
Deliberate LEGAL LEXIS to appeal to
audience . Eloquence – willing to speak on own
behalf. DM – Senate dominated by
senior men
senate scene - speaks for self
‘A moth of peace’
METAPHOR – fragility; drawn to the
light or excitement of war
senate scene - speaks for self
‘She loved me for the dangers I had pass’d,
And I loved her that she did pity them
Presents love as simple & understandable
based on empathy and interest. Proliferation
of PRONOUNS – growing unity
Falls in love with O’s character &
exotic history
act 3 scene 3 - begs for Cassio
‘he hath left part of his grief with me, To suffer with him’
Emotive lexis – empathetic to others; Des’ persuasive techniques are different Iago’s; she draws on O’s virtues and her own compassion and humanity whilst Iago plays on their
fears and weaknesses.
act 3 scene 3 - begs for Cassio
To-morrow dinner, then?
LIST and series of INTERROGATIVES –
haranguing O; urgency and energy of speech that increases suspicions . trying to compel O
act 3 scene 3 - begs for Cassio
‘in faith, he’s penitent;
And yet his trespass’
RELIGIOUS LEXIS casts Cass as a
repentant sinner in need of God like O’s forgiveness. Perhaps foreshadows the manner in which Othello will play God?
Othello Strikes Desdemona
‘I have not deserved this.’
Shock or defence? Insubordinate; no
one intercedes for her illustrating O’s
authority by status, gender &
marriage and terrifying he is. Helpless victim
Othello strikes Desdemona
‘My lord?’ (fourth repetition)
Fourth REPETITION – different
delivery each time:
- Reminder of obedience
- Belief he is the same man
- Respect
- Shock
-Attempt to recall him from his
state
Othello strikes Desdemona
‘this would not be believed in Venice’ (said by Lodovico)
Venice associated with civility
where violence against women is
unacceptable in contrast to Cyprus
- reminder Desdemona is out of place , danger ?
smothering scene - becomes entirely passive victim
I never gave it him: send for him hither;
Unlike in senate, Des is not allowed to call witnesses illustrating the unfairness of trial.
smothering scene - becomes entirely passive victim
Kill me to-morrow: let me live to-night!
Weak protestation – fear, shock & desperation – knows there is no reasoning with O?
exclamatory = desperation
smothering scene - becomes entirely passive victim
O Lord! Lord! Lord!
epizeuxis exclamative - exerts panic and drama on stage .
Retains purity; typical of the divine Des that her final
words are a kind of prayer to highlight her angelic nature
