gender relations

Question 1

iago to othello

“i speak not of proof”

Answer 1

despite iago admitting there is no basis on these allegations, his reputation and gender protects him from othellos distrust

symbolises the inpenetratable male unity built from the distrust or dislike of women, iago doesnt need proof he just needs to be a man and to build on othellos existing insecurities and distrust of all women

Question 2

iago about desdemona to othello

“her will, recoiling”

Answer 2

“recoiling” implies a release and a return to natural state, demonstrating the joint male belief in women being naturally unfaithful- desdemonas faithfulness just being an act

reminder of iagos misogynistic motivations for including desdemona in the plan, and othellos own misgoyny for believing him

Question 3

othello about desdemona (soliloquy)

“if i do prove her haggard”

Answer 3

haggard as another word for a wild, untamed hawk- presents desdemona as something dangerous due to its species and wildness

zoomorphism is iagos signature reflecting how iago has tainted othellos mind with hate and how he has influenced othello through their shared speaking patterns