Iago Flashcards
Iago refers to Desdemona’s elopement using a verb that signifies an assault on Brabantio’s property.
'’Zounds sir, you’re robbed’’
Iago implies that Desdemona has made an unnatural match and casts Othello in a repugnant role as a lustful predator. ‘‘Your’’ reinforces the belief that Desdemona belongs to Brabantio.
'’an old black ram - Is tupping your white ewe.’’
Shows how petty Iago is, he is not bothered when he suspects Emilia has slept with Othello, however he is visibly irritated and annoyed when Cassio is promoted instead of him. Demonstrates Iago’s selfishness, he is more concerned with matters that involve only him.
'’Cassio, a Florentine-‘’
'’could not lead a squadron in the field’’
Iago objectifies Desdemona as a treasure and Othello is depicted as a pirate. This alludes to the idea that Othello has robbed Desdemona.
'’Faith, he tonight hath boarded a land carrack. If it prove lawful prize he’s made forever.’’
Roderigo is in despair because Desdemona is clearly only interested in Othello. Iago mocks Roderigo for threatening suicide over a mere woman. Iago confirms his sexist views by implying that men should be violent and unmerciful.
'’It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will. Come, be a man. Drown thyself? Drown cats and blind merciful.’’
Iago describes a perfect woman and says she’s destined only be a mother and housewife. Desdemona is frustrated at this. Iago states that the perfect woman knows that she is deserving (has self worth) but is not arrogant.
'’She that was ever fair and never broad - Had tongue at will yet was never loud’’
Iago s
Iago tells the audience his plan: he wants Cassio to start a fight which will disturb the peace. The rhyming couplet shows how desperately Iago wants his plan to run smoothly and how his happiness is dependent on getting revenge. ‘‘My dream’’ implies he is obsessed with destroying Cassio’s reputation.
'’If consequence do but approve my dream, - My boat sails freely both with wind and stream.’’
Iago uses Cassio’s full name to highlight how serious the situation is and how reluctant he is to reveal to Montano what Cassio had done. This is a complete lie because he has orchestrated the whole event to make Cassio seem incompetent and therefore get him sacked. Visceral imagery
'’I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth - Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio.’’
Iago instigates Othello’s doubts by planting hints of Desdemona’s infidelity into his mind. Monosyllabic, emphasises that Iago is making little effort to plant the seed of doubt in Othello’s mind. Evasive language.
'’Ha! I like not that.’’
Supernatural. fantasy imagery is used to (hyperbolic) convince Othello the extremity of the situation he has found himself in. Stock characteristics in morality plays, jealousy would have been presented as green characters so it was obvious to the audience what concept was being represented.
'’It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.’’
Such little things can be so powerful if you are jealous
'’Trifles light as air/ Air to the jealous confirmations strong/ As proof of holy writ.’’
Iago implies that the affair has gone for longer than Othello thinks and that it is likely Cassio will sleep with Desdemona again. Inflammatory facts - getting a reaction.
’’ Where , how, how oft, how long ago, and when/ He hath, and is again to cope your wife.’’
What could be a historicist reading of Iago?
A historicist reading could examine his depiction of women as a product of his time and culture. Jacobean portrayals often reduce to saints , mothers , or whores. Iago’s argument itself is constructed in the language of female reproduction, described as a ‘most pregnant and unforced position.’
