Key Quotations Flashcards
“thus do I ever make my fool my purse” - Iago (Act 1, Scene 3)
Iago reveals to the audience that he is simply using Roderigo for fun and profit.
Iago’s confession indicates the depth of his treachery.
“The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.” - Duke (Act 1, Scene 3)
By controlling your state of mind, and your reaction to a situation, you can avoid letting those who seek to harm you both physically and mentally to really harm you.
In this case, you ultimately hold all of the power.
“I am not what I am” - Iago (Act 1, Scene 1)
Can be interpreted as “I am not what I seem”.
Reminiscent of a quotation from the Bible. In Exodus, Moses asks Gods name and he replies “I am that I am”. If “I am that I am” stands for God, Iago’s self-description is the exact opposite.
“I must show out a flag and a sign of love” - Iago (Act 1, Scene 1)
Even though he hates Othello, he must act like he loves him, to preserve his current position in life.
He must make sure it is not public knowledge that Iago himself is an enemy of Othello.
“Trust not your daughters’ minds / By what you see them act.” - Brabantio (Act 1, Scene 1)
Brabantio feels as though his identity as a father and an authority figure have been compromised by Desdemona’s elopement.
He is insulting all daughters because of what she’s done, as a warning to father.
“She loved me for the dangers I had passed.” - Othello (Act 1, Scene 3)
Desdemona is attracted to Othello for his bravery.
Othello loves Desdemona because she admires him.
“The chidden billow seems to pelt the clouds / The wind-shakes surge, with high and monstrous mane” - 2 Gentleman (Act 2, Scene 2)
Shakespeare immediately establishes a chaotic and turbulent setting foreshadowing the following events to come.
“Worthy governor” - Montano (Act 2, Scene 1)
Although Othello is replacing Montano in the position he previously held, there is no bitterness or jealousy within him but merely admiration.
This heightens even more Iago’s unjustified and motiveless jealousy that causes so much destruction.
“The divine Desdemona”, “Our great captain’s captain” - Cassio (Act 2, Scene 1)
Use of alliterations emphasises the extent that Cassio is willing to complement and act in a friendly manner towards Desdemona with the hope of becoming closer to Othello and acquiring his respect.
Although these remarks among friends are merely innocent, Iago is able to manipulate and twist the meanings for his own advantages
“Valiant Cassio” - Desdemona (Act 2, Scene 1)
Up to this point, only Othello has had the respect and admiration to be called “valiant”, and it’s very important as this has been spoken by Desdemona, thus adding great fuel to engineer Iago’s malevolent plan.