Othello 1.3 Flashcards
summary
In Act 1 Scene 3 of Othello, Brabantio confronts Othello before the Venetian Senate, accusing him of using witchcraft to seduce his daughter Desdemona; Othello defends himself by explaining how Desdemona fell in love with his stories of adventure, and when she arrives, she confirms his account, validating their marriage; the Duke then appoints Othello to lead the defense of Cyprus against the Turks, allowing Desdemona to accompany him, while Iago, left alone, plots to destroy Othello’s marriage out of jealousy and spite
“She is abused, stol’n from me” - Brabantio
Brabantio’s use of the verb ‘abused’ makes the marriage between Othello and Desdemona appear as a crime, which racially stereotypes Othello. Brabantio stays in their public affairs. Brabantio aims to be in control of his daughter, Desdemona’s, affairs, including her marriage to Othello. This links to the patriarchal stereotypes of the Renaissance in which a woman was viewed as a man’s property. Brabantio sees Desdemona as his property and exclaims that she is ‘stolen’ when she marries Othello. The imagery of a crime created in the line also links to racial stereotypes.
“I will a round unvarnished tale deliver/ Of my whole course of love” - Othello
Othello’s first speech displays his confidence, immediately presenting him as a noble hero to the Jacobean audience. In his speech, Othello speaks in iambic pentameter, highlighting his confidence. He denies that he deceived Desdemona to win her heart. The enjambement develops coherently to display his confident attitude, as he speaks highly of his city and of being a soldier. It is often claimed within the play that Othello uses ‘black magic’ or ‘spells’ to marry Desdemona, which is a racial stereotype. It suggests that Othello would have had to go to great lengths for a white woman to love a black man. Throughout his first speech he immediately denies these claims and tells the truth about why Desdemona loves him. Brabantio believes that interracial relationships were evil, and good people (such as Desdemona) would enter these relationships due to witchcraft.
“And let her speak of me before her father” - Othello
Othello’s line emphasizes the amount of trust in marriage. Othello rejects the stereotypical view of women and highlights that Desdemona can speak for herself. This line emphasizes the tragedy of the two lovers’ downfall, as although they hold a great amount of trust for each other, jealousy corrupts Othello’s mind. Othello rejects the patriarchal standard of women, allowing Desdemona to speak for herself in a domestic sphere that it dominated by men. However, this line echoes the idea that women are property of their husbands and must be given permission by men to carry out simple tasks, such as speaking to someone.
“And sold to slavery; of my redemption hence” - Othello
This line presents Othello as an attractive hero, which further arouses sympathy but respect for him within the audience. Shakespeare distorts geographical details for dramatic effect, further presenting Othello as a tragic hero. Slave trading was part of trade in East and North Africa. This traumatic upbringing could explain Othello’s choice of career as a soldier. Sympathy is aroused in the Jacobean audience through this.
“She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished / That heaven had made her such a man” - Othello
Othello possesses qualities which Desdemona finds attractive, such as his nobility and noble nature. The line suggests that Desdemona may have suppressed any emotions about his race. This poses the question of, ‘Have Othello and Desdemona fallen in love, or have they fallen in love with an image created of each other?’
“I do perceive here a divided duty” - Desdemona
Desdemona is depicted as a strong, independent woman throughout the play. In these lines, she defends herself against her father, in a scene which is dominated by the male voice. During the Renaissance era, women would normally obey men, in particular their husbands or fathers, who would have control over them. The fact that Desdemona is willing to speak up against her father shows her power, whilst emphasizing her tragic downfall at the end of the play. The emphasis of her independence highlights to tragedy of her death, as she accepts responsibility for her murder.
“For your sake, jewel” - Brabantio
The connotations produced in Brabantio’s line is that of possession, as the noun, ‘jewel’ references the fact that he views his daughter as property. The noun, ‘jewel’ has connotations of submissiveness, admiration, rarity, value, and preciousness. This suggests that Brabantio feels that he has been robbed of his own ‘jewel’ - his daughter.
“So let the Turk of Cyprus us beguile; / We lose it not, so long as we can smile” - Brabantio
The rhyme scheme in these lines shows that these thoughts are more ordered. At the time the play was set, Venice was a cosmopolitan state, which meant it was diverse. Othello is a mercenary, and Brabantio is outraged as Othello has been brought in to defend his property.
“My downright violence and scorn of fortunes” - Desdemona
The juxtaposing language between ‘violence’ and ‘fortunes’ links to love and war, with connotations of aggression and danger. Under the attitudes of her father, she feels guilty for marrying Othello. Women were expected to be innocent, so Desdemona’s violent words suggest she rejects femininity related to the Renaissance.
“A moth of peace, and he go to the war / The rites for which I love him are bereft me” - Desdemona
The noun, ‘moth’ means ‘idler,’ suggesting that whilst men occupy the sphere of action, women are consigned to boredom in the domestic sphere. The staging emblematizes the blending of public and private concerns. The animal imagery produced in the noun, ‘moth’ is associated with poison and decay, yet here the imagery is associated with peace. This signifies Desdemona’s role in attempting to help Othello. This emphasizes the tragedy of her death, as her conscience is good. By bringing Desdemona on stage to articulate her wishes before the Senators, Shakespeare emphasizes her confidence and prominence in the domestic sphere. The Renaissance period was fueled with sexism within, yet Desdemona is presented as confident in a masculine occupied space.
“Your son-in-law is far more fair than black” - The Duke
The characters in this scene have begun to come to terms with Othello’s reputation yet this positive comment is underpinned by Othello’s race. The Elizabethan’s used the term ‘black’ to refer to a range of skin colors; anyone of non-European background might be described as ‘black’ by Shakespeare’s contemporizes during the Renaissance. For the early audiences of Othello, the hero’s skin color would have signified Othello is an outsider. They may well have seen him as someone alienated from society. The hero’s skin color would have signified Othello is an outsider. They may well have seen him as someone alienated from society.
“Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: / She has deceived her father, and may thee” - Brabantio
The rhyming couplet suggests a sense of finality in his words, which has a prophetic quality. Shakespeare emphasizes the characters’ dependence on visible evidence. In addition the motif of sight is present in this scene.
“Virtue’? A fig!…Our bodies are gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners” - Iago Key Quote
The use of prose creates a sense of chaos, juxtaposing with the previous conversation between Othello, Desdemona, and the Senator. The repeated use of the personal pronoun ‘our’ is included of the audience, which develops a complicity with life is included in the audience, which develops a compliance in the audience. The biblical parable of the Sower (Mark 4) presents God as a gardener. Here, Iago challenges this idea, insisting that he has free will to determine his own existence. This echoes the contemporary debate between fate and free will.
“As asses are / I have’t; it is endangered. Hell and night” - Iago
The animal imagery in the noun ‘asses’ suggests that Othello is perceived as naïve. Iago’ soliloquy contains a connotations of death - it has gone from prose to blank verse, which demonstrates his ability to change his way of speech to manipulate others. The animal imagery in the noun ‘asses’ suggests that Othello is perceived as naïve. Iago’ soliloquy contains a connotation of death - it has gone from prose to blank verse, which demonstrates his ability to change his way of speech to manipulate others.
