Othello Flashcards
‘The moor is of a free and open nature’ Theme
Naivety
‘The moor is of a free and open nature’ Meaning
His fatal flaw is used against him which is his ability to trust everyone.
‘If I were now to die there now to be the most happy’ Theme
Love
‘If I were now to die there now to be the most happy’ Meaning
Shows hapiness brought to Othello by Desdemona. Foreshadows their unhappiness and death.
‘Chains of magic’ Theme
Race with love
‘Chains of magic’ Meaning
Brabantio suggests Othello is controlling Desdemona and can’t fathom her naturally falling in love with him.
Valerie Taub
‘The threat of female erotic is physically contained by transformation of woman into corpse’
Male friendship
Based on the demonization of woman.
Male friendship Quote
Desdemona needs a new ‘sexual appetite’
‘Ocular proof’ Theme
Loyalty
‘Ocular proof’ Meaning
Highlighting a faith in Desdemona.
‘O beware jealousy is green eyed monster’ Theme
Jealousy
‘O beware jealousy is green eyed monster’ Meaning
Sinful associations and corrupt nature.
‘O beware jealousy is green eyed monster’ Context
Stereotype African Men jealous from geohumoralism white supremist ideas.
‘I won his daughter’ Theme
Begining of marriage
‘I won his daughter’ Meaning
Perceives her as a prize.
‘Cunning whore of Venice’ Theme
End of marriage
‘Cunning whore of Venice’ Meaning
Becomes abusive and coercive.
Mary Wollstonecraft
‘The divine right of husbands is like the divine right of kings’
‘The purchase made the fruits are to ensue’ Theme
possession
‘The purchase made the fruits are to ensue’ Meaning
Purchase signifies since the marriage desdemona belongs to him.
‘Yet she must die or else she will betray other men’ Theme
Honour and reputation
‘Thy crown and heartened throne to tyrannous hate’ Theme
Hate
‘Thy crown and heartened throne to tyrannous hate’ Meaning
Othello succumbs to Iago’s manipulation and begins to hate Desdemona.
Othello says ‘farewell’ to his occupation. Theme
Proximity and distance
Othello says ‘farewell’ to his occupation. Meaning
Jealousy consumes him and he slowly loses the respect military life gained for him.
What did Siegel say?
‘it is Othello’s surrendering to the devil that leads him to experience a tragedy parallel to Adam’s’
What did Bradley say?
‘He is blameless, honourable and romantic and thus his fall is entirely the fault of Iago, who colonises his mind.’
