Othello Flashcards
‘Moorship’s ensign’
Act 1, Scene 1
Iago
Moor is a derogatory term for someone from North Africa. This immediately establishes Iago as racist, with a deep hatred for Othello.
‘I am not what I am’
Act 1, Scene 1
Iago
This foreshadows Iago’s true intentions to the audience, and introduces us to Iago as the antagonist of the play.
‘an old black ram is tupping your white ewe’
Act 1, Scene 1
Iago
‘ram’ connotes the Devil as they both have horns. Also, the animalistic imagery portrays their relationship as violent.
‘white’ could represent Desdemona’s innocence and purity, stripped away from her by Othello.
“Of my whole course of love: what drugs, what charms, what conjuration, and what mighty magic - For such proceeding I am charged withal I won his daughter.”
Act 1, Scene 3
Othello
Othello’s language is poetic, and eloquent which emphasises the idea of love, and mutual love between him and Desdemona.
‘sold to slavery; of my redemption thence’
Act 1, Scene 3
Othello
In this speech, Othello is talking about his life experiences, and he believes he was cleansed and relieved of his sons. However, he didn’t sin, he was captured and taken. His salvation was earning his freedom, presented as a convention of Christianity. Also highlights the racist nature of his childhood and life together - made to believe he is a sinner just because of his race.
“she wished that Heaven had made her such a man; she thanked me.”
Act 1, Scene 3
Othello
Highlights how Desdemona loves Othello for his dangers and journeys.
However, this could also be a feeling of entrapment, she wishes she could experience mens’ opportunities.
“But here’s my husband, and so much duty that my mother showed to you, preferring her before her father”
Act 1, Scene 3
Desdemona
This is the first time the audience is introduced to Desdemona and we see the unconventional stereotype of a woman speaking with courage, which is an empowering image to see in the 1600s. However, she could be comodifying herself - she was owned by Brabantio, now Othello.
“I crave fit disposition for my wife”
Act 1, scene 3
Othello
Showing that he wants to accommodate and look after Desdemona - highlights his pure love for her.
“Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: she has deceived her father, and may thee.”
Act 1, Scene 3
Brabantio
Dramatic irony
Brabantio is warning Othello that Desdemona will betray him like like she did Brabantio. Also, he has washed his hands of Desdemona ‘she’ ‘her’
“put money in thy purse”
Act 1, Scene 3
Iago
The obvious repetition of this in Scene 3 highlights Iago’s manipulative behaviour. It could either mean ‘bet on it’ or keep paying me, and Desdemona will be yours.
“After some time to abuse Othello’s ears That he is too familiar with his wife”
Act 1, Scene 3
Iago
Iago’s first soliloquy of the play maps out his true intentions towards Othello. He is planning to convince Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair together.
“Saints in your injuries; devils being offended; players in your housewifery; and housewives in bed”.
Act 2, Scene 1
Iago
Juxtaposition of how much we hear of Desdemona, compared to Emilia.
Presents women as dirty.
“O my souls joy”
Act 2, Scene 1
Othello
Contrasts Iago’s foul language to Othello’s poetic language.
Presents their love as unspeakable, overwhelming joy. Contrasts their relationship in later acts.
“our wars are done, the enemy is drowned”
Act 2, Scene 1
Othello
Othello has only known war, so now that there isn’t one, he is made redundant and has no purpose. The only thing he can do is pay attention to Desdemona - tragic fall.
Ironic - Iago is the enemy, so has only just begun his plans. The psychological wars are to come: Iago, Cassio, Desdemona, Othello etc.
“shes a most fresh and delicate creature.”
Act 2, Scene 3
Cassio
Here, Cassio is describing Desdemona, and putting her on a pedestal of purity and modesty. Contrasts Iago’s sexual imagery of her.
“I fear the trust Othello puts him in, on some odd time of his infirmity, Will shake this island”
Act 2, Scene 3
Iago
Here we see Iago planting seeds of doubt. He is undermining Cassio and questioning whether he should have had the promotion: therefore questioning Othello’s judgement.
“I cannot speak any beginning to this peevish odds”
Act 2, Scene 3
Iago`
Iago is very meticulous of his wording - telling Othello he doesnt know how it came about. He is purposefully showing he is hiding something about Cassio.
“Diablo!”
Act 2, Scene 3
Iago
Diablo means devil in Spanish. This presents his evil side. Iago’s name is also Spanish.
Contrasted by Othello’s next words “For Christian shame” which emphasises the moral difference between the characters.
“Repuation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit, and lost without deserving. You have lost no reputation at all!”
Act 2, Scene 3
Iago
Ironic - Iago is jealous of Cassio’s reputation; however Iago has his reputation: “good Iago”.
“our general’s wife is now the general.” “her goodness”
Act 2, Scene 3
Iago
Places Desdemona and Othello as equals, her goodness emphasises the semantic field of purity. Iago’s language juxtaposes the language he has used earlier in the play about women. This emphasises his manipulative behaviour by tapping into Cassio’s thoughts about Desdemona which will be used against Cassio later in the play.
“Cassio, my lord? -No, sure I cannot think that he would steal away so guilty like, seeing you coming.”
Act 3, Scene 3
Iago
Iago is drawing Othello’s attention to Cassio and Desdemona. The deliberate emotive, negative language presents Cassio as sly. As the audience know, now that there is no war, Othello’s time is freed up and all he can do is spend it watching Desdemona.
“O beware my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on”
Act 3, Scene 3
Iago
Iago uses similar language to Othello to manipulate him.
“Beware” - warning
The destructive imagery represents jealousy plaguing away at Othello. He is playing directly into Iago’s hands by overthinking Cassio leaving Desdemona.
The pure love we see in Acts 1, and 2, is slowly but surely being corrupted.
“Are to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ”.
Act 3, Scene 3
Iago
Iago is planning to frame Cassio by dropping the handkerchief in the bedroom, and Othello will turn highly jealous, The audienc see it as only a minor handkerchief but the handkerchief holds the power to change Othello’s fate.
“Farewell! Othello’s occupation’s gone.”
“Villian”
Act 3, scene 3
Othello
Othello’s occupation is warrior. He is longing for war but he cannot do it now - reputation is tarnished.
Irony - Iago is the villain, he calls him this because he is the bearer of bad news. He is the villain, but not for the reasons Othello thinks.
“To furnish me with some swift means of death, for the fair devil”
Act 3, Scene 3
Othello
Othello and Iago are making a blood pact to kill Desdemona and Cassio.
Oxymoron - devil is wicked and evil, not fair.
“The handkerchief!”
Act 3, Scene 4
Othello
Repeated 4 times. Othello takes Iago’s word as gospel that Cassio has the handkerchief.
“Heaven keep the monster from Othello’s mind”
Act 3, Scene 4
Desdemona
Iago is the monster but it’s too late, he is already in Othello’s mind.
Desdemona praying highlights to the audience her Christian virtues. Praying for Othello - contrasts her death scene when she is begging to pray .
“Or to be naked with her friend in bed.”
Act 4, Scene 1
Iago
‘naked’ - In the Bible, after Adam and Eve sinned, they became aware and ashamed of their nakedness. This could portray the consequences of their sins - both of their downfalls.
“O, devil!”
Act 4, Scene 1
Iago
Iago is a devilish creature - reinforced earlier in the play ‘Diablo’
Could represent Iago’s heavy influence over Othello.
Othello’s fall is not just a fall from hero to tragedy, but also a fall in morality. This is evident as Othello went from ‘my soul’s joy’ to threatening violence.
“Lay on my bed my wedding sheets”
Act 4, Scene 2
Desdemona
Tragic foreshadowing - women used to be buried with their wedding sheets, and Desdemona is going to bed with them.
“The Moor’s abused by some villainous knave”
Act 4, Scene 2
Emilia
Emilia is getting more vocal and closer and closer to the truth which is making Iago nervous. She is outraged on Desdemona’s behalf but has divided loyalty between Desdemona and Iago.
“Here I kneel… His unkindness may defeat my life, but never taint my love”
Act 4, Scene 2
Desdemona
Links back to the temptation scene - everyone subjugates to Iago.
Tragic misunderstanding - they both love each other but are tormented by Iago.
Othello’s hamartia is his overwhelming love for Desdemona.
THE WILLOW SCENE
Act 4, Scene 3
Desdemona and Emilia
Desdemona is singing because it has layers within layers and it reminds her of her childhood - the story is the story of her life. She identifies with the tragic nature of the song.
The willow is associated with tragedy and forsaken love; here, a sense of loss. Desdemona’s language is evocative of death.
The willow is a figure of grief, healing, and everlasting love.
“Nor I neither, by this heavenly light: I might do’t aswell i’th’dark.”
Act 4, Scene 3
Emilia
Saying she would cheat if no one found out.
Emilia is a powerful character, she is not afraid to be honest and doesn’t show submissive qualities like Desdemona.
“Let husbands know their wives have sense like them.”
Act 4, Scene 3
Emilia
PROTO-FEMINIST SPEECH
Emilis becomes more vocal and indicates men and women are the same: if a woman does sin: the man ppushed them to do it.
Emilia’s thinking is very radical feminist for this era.
“O damned Iago! O inhuman dog!”
Act 5, Scene 1
Roderig o
Here, we see Roderigo’s grand realisation that Iago is the villain.
Roderigo is pitiful: he was manipulated by Iago just to be betrayed and killed.
“O fie upon thee, strumpet!”
Act 5, Scene 1
Emilia
Emilia is a direct contrast to the Willow Scene, she had a proto-feminist speech where she laid down her idea that men and women are equal. However, she contrasts this by saying Bianca doesn’t deserve equality due to her class. Emilia’s views do not include Bianca.
“She must die, or she’ll betray other men”
Act 5, Scene 2
Othello
Othello is calling out to the world to justify his actions. His fundamental reason is to restore his honour but he feels he needs more reasoning - doing it for the macrocosm “she’ll betray more men”.
“light” “nature” “growth” “rose” “snow” “stars”
Act 5, Scene 2
Othello
semantic field of purity and naturality - highlights her Christian portrayal compared to his act of sin - killing her
“Have you prayed tonight, Desdemon?
If you bethink yourself of any crime unreconciled as yet to Heaven and grace, solicit for it straight”
I would not kill thy unprepared spirit”
Act 5, Scene 2
Othello
Ominous - giving her a chance to pray so she can confess to her sins to get to Heaven.
However, the audience know Desdemona hasn’t done anything, so she cannot confess which we know will anger Othello.
“Humh!”
Act 5, Scene 2
Othello
Othello is very dismissive, which shows he has already made up his mind. The jealousy of her and Cassio has driven him insane.
Escalates the trajectory.
“Then Lord have mercy on me.”
“I say Amen.”
Desdemona is shouting a cry for help, yet Othello understands it semantically, like a prayer.
Othello has a God-complex - he thinks his actions and impulses are from God.
“Kill me tomorrow! Let me live tonight!”
Act 4, Scene 2
Desdemona
We would assume she would be begging for her life, but she is only begging for some time. this represents Desdemona’s loss of hope and she knows she is doomed.
“But while I say one prayer?”
Act 5, Scene 2
Desdemona
Othello has lost control
Earlier in this scene, Othello told her to pray and confess her sins so she could get to Heaven; however, now he wants to kill her despite her not praying.
“I think she stirs again - no. What’s best to do? IF she come in, she’ll sure speak to my wife-my wife, my wife! I have no wife.”
Act 5, Scene 2
Othello
Othello is questioning whether Desdeomna is actually dead, this makes the audience unsure.
“I have no wife” he believes he hasn’t had a wife for a long time since she betrayed him.
“Not Cassio killed? Then murder’s out of tune, and sweet revenge grows harsh.”
Act 5, Scene 2
Othello
Othello has realized the blood pact has not been carried out on Iago’s part
He is now bitter-filled.
“Nobody-I myself.”
Act 5, Scene 2
Desdemona
despite Othello’s despicable actions, Desdemona hasn’t told Emilia that he is responsible.
“She’s like a liar gone to burning hell: twas I that killed her”
Act 5, Scene 2
Othello
He cannot contain his pride in killing her. He has wasted Desdemona’s final intent to save his reputation and honour.
“She was as false as water”
Act 5, Scene 2
Othello
Water can take on many shapes and forms (ice, gas, water) and it is very fluid, like Desdemona supposedly.
