Othello 2.3 Flashcards
summary
Iago gets Cassio drunk, making it easy for Roderigo to provoke Cassio into a brawl, first with Roderigo, then with Montano, whom he wounds. Othello, called from his bed by the noise, stops the brawl and strips Cassio of his lieutenancy. Iago advises Cassio to seek Desdemona’s help in getting reinstated.
Come,
My dear love,
The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue;
The profit’s yet to come ‘tween me and you.
At this point in the play, Othello talks about sex in positive terms - as a fruit to enjoy, something that “profits” both man and woman. On the other hand, we could say that Othello’s tendency to use financial metaphors - “purchase” and “profit” - make us a little uncomfortable. If marriage is something akin to a “purchase,” that leaves the door wide open for viewing one’s spouse as a possession.
It’s also important to note that it’s pretty clear that Desdemona and Othello haven’t yet consummated their marriage, since Othello says good times in the sack are “yet to come.” When Othello says good night to his attendants here, it’s obvious that he and Desdemona are running off to have sex, finally. But, shortly thereafter, Othello and Desdemona’s evening of fun is interrupted when Cassio gets drunk and gets into a brawl, which Othello is called upon to mediate.
So, we’re not sure if Othello and Desdemona ever get a chance to do the deed.
some critics argue that the couple never has sex. Others argue Othello feeling as though he has “contaminated” his wife’s sexual and racial purity. . This, according to some, explains why Othello is quick to believe that Desdemona’s got something going on the side with Cassio.
“She is indeed perfection”
Who: Cassio
Significance: this extreme love and adoration towards Desdemona further intices Cassio into Iago’s trap, as it gives him more wood to fuel Othello’s fire of jelousy
“unhappy brains for drinking”
Who: Cassio
Significance: He sees he has a weakness in the form of alcohol, as he knows he can become uncontrollable and no longer himself. The fact he is able to address and understand his flaw emphasizes his true goodness.
Why is the episode with Cassio and his drinking important?
It proves how persuasive Iago can be because despite knowing what it will do to him Cassio still drinks. It only sets up for the audience Iago’s later powers and abilities over Othello
the attempt by Cassio to remain his reasoning throughout the scene emphasises this struggle and battle between control and passion in the play
Iago’s attempt to corrupt Cassio reflects Iago’s own corrupt and perverse nature. Though Cassio is able to recover, whilst this is maintained by Iago throughout the play.
Shows how easily humans an loose there sense of judgement, merely by indulging in alcohol. Othello similarly is overcome by aspersions, it leads to extreme irrationality.
If I can fasten but one cup upon him,
He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense
Who: Iago
Significance: Iago’s acts again as a key manipulator using Cassio’s weakness against him. He wishes to bring out the worst in Cassio in order to success. It reflects the extreme lengths that Iago will go to succeed. It reiterates to the audience how bitter he has become willing to destroy someone’s reputation and livelihood all for the sack of revenge.
I fear the trust Othello puts him in
On some odd time of his infirmity
Will shake this island.
Who:Iago
Significance: Iago’s manipulating intensifies as he not only attempts to not only tarnish Cassio’s reputation with Othello but also with the people around him, planting seeds of doubt within their minds of how trusting Cassio. Iago continues to builds the pretense of Cassio being unfaithful, which will continue to solidify Iago’s later lies and what beings to unravel. Iago’s last line is ironic considering that it will be his lies and deceit which will go on to cause irreversibly damage and shake the island.
For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl.
Who: Othello
Significance: Othello uses Christianity (something he wasn’t brought up with) to condemn the brawl
He has still maintained by this point of the play some of his virtue and promise to be good within the play.
Lucifer, the angel that fell, what he will later become from stopping vengeance and violence to pursuing it himself on his wife.
Oh, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial
Who: Cassio
Significance: Cassio is very conscience of his appearance and his reputation. He wishes to maintain this polite and respectable persona. When he fails to do this he becomes embarrassed and ashamed.
Cassio like Othello places his reputation and honor in high importance, and this is illustrated through the repetition and the use of an exclamation mark. He believes that these two things are linked, and sees that the loss of these gives him physical pain. Along with this it has a spiritual significance as now that it has left him he is bestial
Cassio often uses hyperbole to describe his feelings
A link can be made to Othello and what he later becomes in the place.
Confess yourself freely to her, importune her help to put you in your place again.
Who: Iago
Significance: He continues to lay the tracks for his evil and cunning power, setting the stage for Desdemona and Cassio’s supposed affair.
Our general’s wife is now the general.
Who: Othello
Significance: In Act 1, Scene 3 Othello had promised he would keep his love and the war separate. Though in this scene their love is interrupted by a conflict. And here we see that Desdemona is beginning to have affect on Othello whilst working as a soldier. This indicates that the lines are becoming blurred between the domestic portion of his life and his work life. This spells disaster for their relationship, as honor and reputation infiltrate their relationship becoming the most important element.
