Othello Flashcards
Noble reputation
Lodovico tells us that the “full senate” call him “all in all sufficient”
When Venice is in crisis he is “hotly called for” on “a business of some heat”
Even the malignant Iago calls him “constant, loving noble nature
his initial actions support this nature
when provoked by brabantio with “scurvy’ onslaught , he replies with calm and authoritative equipoise “ keep up your bright swords for the dew will rusted
Othello is clearly over emotional in Desdemona
Hasty in judgement
Describes her as “O my soul’s joy”
“but I do love thee and when I love thee not, chaos is come again” clearly becoming dependant on Desdemona
Other example of hasty judgement and impulsiveness
Othello hastily severs ties with Cassio after he stabs Montano “ I love thee, but never more an officer of mine “
impulsiveness : “to be once in doubt is once resolved”
Credulous and poor judge of character
The moor lacks circumspection and unquestioningly takes things at face value
“The moor is of a free and open nature, that thinks men honest that but seem to be so’
Describes Image as “ one of exceeding honesty, and knows all qualities with a learned spirit
other example of poor judge of character
choice of Cassio as lieutenant. As if there is any truth to Iago’s claim that Cassio lacks military experience
“never see a squadron in the field,” “mere prattle without practice”
Cassio’s crepulent fall from grace backs this presumption
low self esteem
self-conscious of his age and fears Desdemona will leave him “I am declined into the vale of years’
self-conscious of his status as a racial and cultural outsider “for I am black”
“rude I am in my speech”
little of this great world can I speak:”
suggestible
“I think my wife be honest and think she is not; I think that thou art just and think thou art not”
Clearly as his confidence falters so does his clarity of thought.
Despite initially demanding “ocular proof”of his wife’s infidelity, he is swiftly duped into into accepting “trifles light as air” as “confirmations doter as holy writ”
Other example of suggestible
Othello when deciding how to murder Desdemona instantly agrees with Iago’s suggestion of strangling her in her bed “Good,good: the justice of it pleases me, very good”
Self absorbed/ arrogant
“Horribly stuff’d with ephithets of war” and “bombast circumstance”/ “loving his own pride and purposes”
more concerned about his reputation if he loses Desdemona “O,farewell! Farewell the neighing steed and the thrill trump”
more on arrogant
when he murders Desdemona and realises his great mistake”the sweetest innocent that e’er did lift up an eye”
Once again is more concerned about his reputation
“then must you speak of one that loved not wisely but too well. Of one not easily jealous”
Violent
alarmingly violent streak
When suspects Cassio of having an affair with Desdemona says “I see that nose of yours but not that dog I shall throw it to”
also his reaction at Desdemona is “I’ll tear her to pieces”
“O,blood,blood, blood”
