Othello 3.3 Flashcards
summary
Iago begins to poison Othello’s mind into believing that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. At first, Othello cannot believe that Desdemona would behave in such a way, but slowly Iago makes suggestions that get into Othello’s imagination and he begins to believe it could be true.
‘that’s an honest fellow’ - Desdemona
dramatic irony, illustrates how everyone is fooled by Iago
‘bounteous madam’ - Cassio
Desdemona frequently associated with fecundity (fertility), makes her young death tragically ironic
‘I’ll watch him tame’ - Desdemona
continued zoomorphism of Othello, idea of him as animalistic due to his race, hawk imagery perhaps allusion to Egyptian God Horus (represented by a hawk) who was also a Moor
‘his bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift’ - Desdemona
highlights intamacy between Othello + Desdemona
‘Ha! I like not that!’ - Iago
example of Iago’s scheming, whilst he tries to downplay the situation, this adversely draws more attention to Desdemona’s supposed infidelity
‘I have been talking with a suitor here’ - Desdemona
Desdemona’s constant questions illustrates her lack of docility, perhaps a trait that may be attributed to her exogamous marriage
‘Whate’er you be, I am obedient’ - Desdemona
perhaps her hamartia, stays loyal to Othello even when he kills her (A5 S2)
‘Excellent wretch!’ - Othello
oxymoronic, illustrates Othello’s conflicting feelings
‘O beware, my lord, of jealousy’ - Iago
foreshadows Othello’s downfall being due to jealously, perhaps indicating it’s his hamartia
‘green eyed monster’ - Iago
ironically represents Iago and his jealousy of Othello, almost personifies abstract of jealousy as a force beyond human control
‘That cuckold lives in bliss’ - Iago
contextual significance, amplifies impact of Iago’s speech on Othello
‘O misery!’ - Othello
his short outbursts of phrases/singular lines contrasted with Iago’s lengthy monologues demonstrate their power imbalance
‘For she had eyes and chose me’ - Othello
although illustrates Othello’s willingness to trust in Desdemona, also serves as the start of his emergent insecurity
‘In Venice they do let God see the pranks // They dare not show their husbands.’ - Iago
allusion to courtesans (venetian prostitutes) further depicts Desdemona to seem untrustworthy, also an emphasis of sexualised imagery combined with religion
