Othello Flashcards
senate scene - defending self
‘Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them’
Othello’s authoritative composure stands in stark contrast to the aggression of Brabantio’s men, reinforcing his portrayal as a figure of dignity and restraint. This moment echoes biblical parallels, particularly with Jesus advocating for peace, thereby establishing Othello as a heroic and honorable character from the outset of the play. However, his initial refusal to engage in violence foreshadows his eventual tragic downfall, where his emotions ultimately eclipse his reason.
senate scene - defending himself
‘More than pertains to feats of broil and battle’
Paints Othello as a millitary figure, a saviour and full defender of Venice. Yet hints at an otherness sourced from his racial origins and history that oppose that of the Venetians . Plosives enchance the violent natyre of battle he edures ,foreshadowing how his violent nature soon comes to engluf and consume him.
senate scene - defending self
‘therefore beg it not,
To please the palate of my appetite’
Lexis associated with hunger & heat – metaphor insists he is not driven by lust denouncing racial stereotypes weighed upon him by Brabantio. Puts him apart from this barbaric other , yet a loving husband to his wife.
fight scene - puts trust in Iago - myopia
‘Are we turn’d Turks ?’
the rhetorical question is menacing and intimidating - dominating presence on stage . Calls for peace.
Othello is an outsider on the inside & calls attention to the potential danger of all external
threats to become internal – FORESHADOWING. It is this potential that Iago exploits
dental alliteration = spiteful of chaos
fight scene - puts trust in Iago - myopia
‘Honest Iago…
Speak, who began this? on thy love, I charge thee’
IRONIC EPITHET - MYOPIA
IRONICALLY relies
on Iago’s testimony
fight scene - puts trust in Iago - myopia
‘My blood begins my safer guides to rule; And passion, having my best judgment collied’
METAPHOR = Dangerous temper & violent potential that Iago will play on; growing rage that he struggles to keep in check. Exposes this side to Iago mistakingly .
temptation scene - wholly confides in Iago
‘othello kneels’
physically reduced and closer to hell. Represents how O has
fallen for I’s
manipulation .Reflects how O is
worshipping I – a
demonic figure. Emphasises O’s
damnation and rejection
of the angelic Des
Mirrors marriage setting - marrying to Iago’s lies?
temptation scenes - wholly confides in Iago
‘If I do prove her haggard,
Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings,
I’d whistle her off and let her down the wind’
Animal METAPHOR: adopting I’s
misogynistic attitude; casts Des as prey and he the hunter. Assumes racist attitudes of those surrounding him.
First time he views race negatively – Iago’s suspicions have aroused subconscious
racial insecurities; begins to see self as black barbarian where previously he was a noble warrior
temptation scene - confides in Iago
‘Like to the Pontic sea’
EPIC SIMILE – like Brabantio water image
conveys how he is overcome by
emotions that are unstoppable &
dangerous; constant enjambment
mirrors the sea and gives the speech
pace to suggest overwhelming passion
temptation scene - confides in Iago
‘crown and hearted throne
To tyrannous hate!’
PERSONIFICATION- replaces
passionate love with its
ANTITHESIS as he becomes
consumed by loathing. Exclamative = loss of control and eloquence . Simply a shadow of prior self we saw in senate scene.
death scene
‘Put out the light, and then put out the light’
REPETITION – fixated –
EUPHEMISM for murder that he
struggles to undertake; Des
symbolically linked to light and in killing her, Iago’s darkness will
dominate
death scene
It is the very error of the moon;
PERSONIFICATION – trying to blame external factors; moon is associated with lunacy usually linked to women although in this play, it is the men who are unstable ; recognizes his
instability and begins to return to eloquence almost as if murder has expunged some of his lunacy
