Irony and Double Meanings Flashcards
Iago suggesting that Cassio slept with Desdemona to Othello.
Othello says that Cassio “went between us very oft”, meaning that Cassio acted as a messenger between him and Desdemona. Iago’s response is “indeed!” implying that Cassio was between them physically.
What is ironic about Bianca’s name?
Bianca means ‘white’. The fact that she is a prostitute undermines the usual associations of white with purity.
What is the meaning of “fair”?
It has a double meaning, of ‘light-coloured’ and ‘honest’. This means that when the Duke tells Brabantio that Othello is “far more fair than black”, he does not fit with the characters’ racial stereotypes.
Quote: How does Othello refer to Desdemona that shows his confused attitudes towards her?
“O thou weed / Who art so lovely fair.”
He sees her as beautiful but deceitful, showing his contradictory attitude.
What is “I am not what I am”?
A paradox which expresses the idea that he is not. what he appears.
