Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

English 2 > Othello Act I & II > Flashcards

Othello Act I & II Flashcards

1
Q

“In following him, I follow but myself”

A

Who says it? Iago says it
Meaning: I’m following Othello, but I’m doing it for myself. Therefore, I will profit.
Context: He is talking to rodrigo trying to convince Rodrigo that he (Iago) hates Othello.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

“I follow him to serve my turn upon him”

A

Who says it? Iago says it
Meaning: I will follow Othello for revenge
Context: Street

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

“Zounds, sir, you are robb’d!…Even now, now, very now, and old black ram is tupping your white ewe…Arise…Or else the devel will make a grand rise of you.”

A

Who says it? Iago says it
Your in the quote is: Brabantio
Black ram: Othello White ewe: Desdemona
Meaning: Your daughter is having relations with Othello
Context: At Robantio or desdemono’s house

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

“Are there not charms/ By which the property of youth and maidhood/ May be abused?”

A

Who says it? Brabantio
Meaning: Othello is bewitching (using charms) her
Context: Brabantio accusing Othello of witchcraft to Rodrigo before telling to the duke

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

“Virtue? A fig!…Our bodies are gardens, to which our wills are gardeners…”

A

Who says it? Iago
Meaning: Virtue is a joke, we have control
Context: Iago talking to Rodrigo

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

“Rude I am in my speech,/ For since these arms of mine have seven years’ pith,/ Till now some nine moons wasted, they have used,/ their dearest action in the tented field/ and little of this great world can I speak/ more than pertains to feats of broil and battle

A

Who says it? Othello says it
Meaning: Othello is saying I have married desdemona, but I didn’t bewitch her, we fell in love.
Context: Othello is defending himself to the governor/senate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

“Look to her, Moor, if though hast eyes to see; She has deceived her father, and may thee”

A

Who says it? Brabantio
Meaning: Keep an eye on desdemona, she has lied to me so she might lie to you
Context: talking to Othello at the court

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

“Though I do hate him as I do hell-pains. Yet, for necessity of present life, I must show out a flag and sign of love, which is indeed but sign.”

A

Who says it? Iago
Meaning: Iago can’t be seen working against the moor or else he will lose his place in government and lose some power
Context: Iago is at desdemona’s house

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

“For when my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure out my heart
In compliment extern, ‘tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am

A

Who says it? Iago
Meaning: Iago is saying he isn’t who he seems to be, he is not loyal to the Moor
Context: Iago is talking to Rodrigo in the street

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

“Though in the trade of war I have slain men,
Yet do I hold it very stuff o’ the conscience
To do no contrived murder: I lack inquity
Sometimes to do me service.”

A

Who says it? Iago
Meaning: Iago tells Othello that Rodrigo was telling brabantio there secret and he is telling him that he should’ve killed rodrigo for what he said
Context: Iago and Othello are in a street

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Who is Othello?

A

Othello - The play’s protagonist and hero. A Christian Moor and general of the armies of Venice, Othello is an eloquent and physically powerful figure, respected by all those around him. In spite of his elevated status, he is nevertheless easy prey to insecurities because of his age, his life as a soldier, and his race. He possesses a “free and open nature,” which his ensign Iago uses to twist his love for his wife, Desdemona, into a powerful and destructive jealousy (I.iii.381).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Who is Cassio?

A

Michael Cassio - Othello’s lieutenant. Cassio is a young and inexperienced soldier, whose high position is much resented by Iago. Truly devoted to Othello, Cassio is extremely ashamed after being implicated in a drunken brawl on Cyprus and losing his place as lieutenant. Iago uses Cassio’s youth, good looks, and friendship with Desdemona to play on Othello’s insecurities about Desdemona’s fidelity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Who is Iago?

A

Iago - Othello’s ensign (a job also known as an ancient or standard-bearer), and the villain of the play. Iago is twenty-eight years old. While his ostensible reason for desiring Othello’s demise is that he has been passed over for promotion to lieutenant, Iago’s motivations are never very clearly expressed and seem to originate in an obsessive, almost aesthetic delight in manipulation and destruction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Who is Amelia?

A

Amelia/Emilia - Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant. A cynical, worldly woman, she is deeply attached to her mistress and distrustful of her husband.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Who is Desdemona?

A

Desdemona - The daughter of the Venetian senator Brabanzio. Desdemona and Othello are secretly married before the play begins. While in many ways stereotypically pure and meek, Desdemona is also determined and self-possessed. She is equally capable of defending her marriage, jesting bawdily with Iago, and responding with dignity to Othello’s incomprehensible jealousy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Who is Roderigo?

A

Roderigo - A jealous suitor of Desdemona. Young, rich, and foolish, Roderigo is convinced that if he gives Iago all of his money, Iago will help him win Desdemona’s hand. Repeatedly frustrated as Othello marries Desdemona and then takes her to Cyprus, Roderigo is ultimately desperate enough to agree to help Iago kill Cassio after Iago points out that Cassio is another potential rival for Desdemona.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Who is Montano?

A

Montano - The governor of Cyprus before Othello. We see him first in Act II, as he recounts the status of the war and awaits the Venetian ships.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Who is Brabantio?

A

Brabantio - Desdemona’s father, a somewhat blustering and self-important Venetian senator. As a friend of Othello, Brabanzio feels betrayed when the general marries his daughter in secret.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What city does the story begin?

A

Venice

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the name of the island where the war is supposed to be fought?

A

Cyprus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is a couplet?

A

Two lines of verse, usually in the same meter and joined by rhyme, that form a unit.

Example: She was a little tense

The notice made no sense

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is iambic pentameter?

A

A line of verse with five metrical feet, each consisting of one short (or unstressed) syllable followed by one long (or stressed) syllable. For example : Two households, both alike in dignity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is a soliloquy?

A

An act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play.
synonyms:

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Who does Roderigo get in fight with?

A

First Cassio then Montano

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What does cudgeled?
To beat/ wound someone
26
"Divinity of hell!/ When Devils will the blackest sins put on, /they do suggest at first with heavenly shows, / As I do now.
Iago; means Hell (bad people) act nice at first or act divine, Hell has a nice facade (cover)
27
What type of poetry does Shakespeare use?
Iambic pentameter
28
"O! I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial."
Who says it? Cassio Meaning: "what did I do?" My reputation is lost and I have become a beast Context: when he came out of his drunken state (after wounding Montano)
29
"O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call the devil!"
Who says it? Cassio Meaning: I lost my reputation because of wine Context: (same scene) Cassio is coming out of being drunken and whining to Iago
30
"Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well used; exclaim no more against it."
Who says it? Iago Meaning: wine is good but what you did with the wine is bad Context: talking to Cassio after he was drunk
31
"Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit and lost without deserving."
Who says it? Iago Meaning: reputation is false. This who have a reputation, don't deserve it and those who lose it (Cassio) deserve it. Context: talking to Iago
32
"I do follow here in the chase, not like a hound that hunts, but one that filas up the cry. My money is almost spent; I have been there to tonight exceedingly cudgeled.... I shall have so much Experience for my pains; and so, with no money at all and little more wit, return again to Venice. "
Who said this? Rodrigo Meaning: in hunting, I am the dog in the back. The only thing I will get is experience. I'm going home. Context: telling Iago he wants to go home after Cassio wounds Montano
33
"I'll pour this pestilence into his ear..."
Who says this? Iago Meaning: I'm gonna tell lies to Othello Context: he hints him that Desdemona is taking Cassio's side out of lust for him
34
"I swear't is better to be much abused, than but to know't a little.... He that is robbed, notw a ting want is stolen, let him not know't and he's not robbed at all. "
Who says this? Othello Meaning: I'd rather be beaten than know my wife is cheating. It is better if I didn't know at all, for if Someone doesn't know if they have been robbed then he hasn't been actually robbed. Context: at the beach, before he beats Iago
35
What is the meaning of the allusion Janus (Iago swears an oath to him)? (Act 1; scene 2)
Janus is a roman deity symbolizing the beginning and the end (and doors and gates). Therefore when Iago swears on it he thinks from "beginning to end" not
36
'SBlood and 'Zounds mean?
'SBlood: curse on "God's/Jesus' blood" | 'Zounds: curse on "God's/Jesus' wounds"
37
Cuckold
When Iago says he wants to cuckold Othello, it means a husband with a wife who cheats on him
38
When Iago says he wants to cuckold Othello, what does he mean?
.
39
An ENSIGN is Iago's job title. What is an ensign?
A job known as an ancient or standard bearer. A bearer is a person or thing that carries or holds things.
40
"The Green-Eyed Monster." What does Iago mean when he uses this metaphor?
A jealous/envious person.
41
I pray you, in your letters, / when you shall these unlucky deeds relate, / speak of me as I am; nothing, extenuate,/ nor set down aight in malice: then, you must speak / of one that lov'd not wisely but too well; / of one not easily jealous, but, being wrought, / perplex'd in the extreme; of one whose hand, / like the base Indian, threw a pearl away / richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdu'd eyes / albeit unused to the melting mood, / drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees / their med'cinable gum. Set you down this; / and say besides, that in Aleppo once, / Where a malignant and turban'spd Turk / beat a Venetian and traduc'd the state, / I took by the throat the circumcised dog, / and smote him thus.
Who says this? Othello Where? In his bedroom right before he stabs himself at the very end. When you talk about event in letters, do not exaggerate out of hate. For this is what I perceived to happen: I was so in love I went crazy. I don't usually get jealous but I am jealous I get perplexed. I am simple foreigner like an Indian and I found a pearl (Desdemona). I'm not used to crying but now tears flow from me like an Arabian tree that has been shaken (which means I'm sobbing). This occurrence remind me of a time on Aleppo once. Because of this, I shall kill myself.
42
"I will a round unvarnished tale deliver Of my whole course of love; what drugs, what charms, What configuration and what mighty magic, For such proceeding I am charged withal, I won his daughter..."
Who says it? Othello What does it mean? Othello didn't use spells or charms, he just won his daughter by love When he says it? When he was defending himself to the duke
43
"My story being done, She gave me for my pains a world of sighs; She wore, in faith, 'twas strange, 'twas passing strange, 'Twas pitiful, 'twas wonderful pitiful... She loved me for the dangers I had passed, And I loved her that she did pity them. This only is the witchcraft I have used.
Who says it? Othello What does it mean? Desdemona loves him because he lived a strong life full of adventures and that's the only witchcraft he ever used. When he says it? Defending himself to the duke
44
"The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief."
Who says it? The Duke was talking to Brobantio | What does it mean? It's okay that you lost your daughter as long as you (the duke) is okay with it
45
"But words are words; I never yet did hear | That's the bruised heart was pierced through the ear."
Who says it? Brobantio | What's it mean? Brobantio is mad because he lost his daughter and word won't help because words are just words.
46
.
.
47
Rude am I in my speech, / And little blessed with the soft phase of peace
Who says it? Othello | What's it mean? Othello is saying I'm awkward in speech and I'm. Or a smooth talker
48
"Trifles light as air / are to the jealous confirmations strong / as proofs of holy writ."
Who says it? Iago | What's it mean? When Iago is planning to plant the handkerchief with Cassio to make her jealous
49
"I am declined / Into the vale of years"
Who says it? Othello | What's it mean? Othello saying Desdemona won't love him because of his old age
50
"Not poppy, nor mandragora / Not all the drowsy syrups of the world, / Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep / which thou owedst yesterday."
Who says it? Iago | What's it mean? No drugs will ever let Othello sleep again.
51
They [men] are all but stomachs and we all but food; / They eat us hungrily, and when they are full. / they belch us."
Who says it? Emilia | What's it mean? Men just use women
52
"Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell! / Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne/ To tyrannous hate!"
Who says it? Othello talking to himself | What's it mean? Revenge is breaking free and it will rule himself
53
"O! beware, my lord, of jealousy; / It is the green-ey'd monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on."
Who says it? Iago | What's it mean? Beware of jealousy, it makes fun of its victims
54
"O curse of marriage, / That we can call these delicate creatures ours, / And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad, / And live upon the vapor of a dungeon, / Than keep a corner in the thing I love / For others' uses."
Who says it? Othello | What's it mean? Marriage is a curse
55
"Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore, / Be sure of it; give me the ocular proof; / Or, by the worth of mine eternal soul, / Thou hadst been better have been born a dog / Than answer my wak'd wrath."
Who says it? Othello talking to Iago | What's it mean? Prove that Desdemona is having relations with someone else
56
"'Tis true: there's magic in the web of it: / A sibyl, that had numbered in the world / The sun to course two thousand compasses, / In her prophetic fury sewed the work; / The worms were hallowed that did breed the silk; / And it was dyed in mummy which the skilful / Conserved of maidens' hearts."
Who says it? Othello | What's it mean? There's magic in the handkerchief and it was made by a witch and it was passed down to Othello
57
O devil, devil! / If that the earth could teem with woman's tears, / Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile.
Who says it? Othello | What's it mean? Othello saying you can cry all you want but I still won't believe you. Get out of my sight.
58
I understand a fury in your words, But not the words.
Who says it? Desdemona | What's it mean? I know your (Othello) mad but I don't know why your mad
59
O thou weed, / Who art so lovely fair and smell'st so sweet / That the sense aches at thee,would thou hadst ne'er been born.
Who says it? Othello | What's it mean? Desdemona is a weed that is very attractive but so attractive that Othello wishes she was never born
60
Heaven me such uses send, / Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend.
Who says it? Desdemona | What's it mean? She really wants to be a good wife
61
The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree, / Sing all a green willow: / Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee, / Sing willow, willow, willow.
Who says it? These are lyrics to the song "Willow" that Desdemona is singing in the bathtub. What's it mean? This is the death song.
62
"'Tis neither here nor there."
Who says it? Emilia What's it mean? When Desdemona says "my eyes itch is that an omen that I will be crying soon" this is Emilia saying: Don't worry about it. It's nothing.
63
It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul, / let me not name it to you! you chaste stars! / It is the cause. Yet I'll not shed her blood; / Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow, / And smooth as monumental alabaster. / Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men. / Put out the light, and then out out the light.
Who says it? Othello What's it mean? I have to kill Desdemona, I have to. But I won't shed blood or scar her skin but she must die or she will cheat on other men. Put out the light (put out her light).
64
O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade / Justice to break her sword. One more, one more! / Be this when thou art dead, and I will kill thee, / And love thee after. One more, and that's the last! / so sweet was ne'er so fatal. I must weep, / But they are cruel tears. This sorrow's heavenly; / It strikes where it doth love. She wakes.
Who says it? Othello What's it mean? I will kill her and still lover her after wards and this will make me cry because I will still love her once she is dead
65
I kissed thee ere I killed thee, no way but this, / Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.
Who says it? Othello | What's it mean? I kissed you before I killed you and now killing myself I will kiss you. (This is parallel)
66
It is the very error of the moon;/ She comes more nearer earth than she was wont, / And makes men mad.
Who says this? Othello | What's it mean? Because of the moon, Desdemona and everyone is being crazy
67
Murder's out of tune, / And sweet revenge grows harsh.
Who says it? Othello | What's it mean? We killed the wrong man and didn't get our revenge
68
May his pernicious soul / Rot half a grain a day!
Who says it? Emilia | What's it mean? Emilia is saying that Othello is a bad husband
69
Here is my journey's end, here is my butt, / And very sea-mark of my utmost sail.
Who says it? Othello | What's it mean? Here's the end of his journey, here's the end of his life. Othello had reached his very limit.
70
Blow me about in winds! roast me in sulphur! / Wash me in steep-down gulfs of liquid fire! / O Desdemona! Desdemona! dead!
Who says it? Othello | What's it about? Othello is saying he wants to be dead.
71
What's the plot of the alchemist?
Santiago wakes up in a church, he has reoccurring dream and decides to go to the pyramids and goes to fortune teller who says the same thing. He finally decides to go them when he talks to king of Salem. He travels by boat to tangier and he gets his money stolen by a thief. Then he starts working at crystal shop to make money to go home. After he has enough money he decides to travel to the pyramids. On the way he meets the Englishman and reaches an oasis. There he meets a girl named Fatima and falls in love. Because he reads an omen of Hawks, he prevents there oasis from losing a war. Then he meets the alchemist and travels through the desert to follow his personal legend but he gets taken by tribesmen and turns himself into wind to prove he is an alchemist. He continues on to the pyramids until he arrives at a Coptic monastery and then travels alone to the pyramids where he finds a scarab beetle and gigs for treasure but gets beaten up and loses his money. Because one of the men says that he had a dream of a treasure under a sycamore tree, he goes back to the church and finds his treasure.
72
What is between the unknown and the known?
The threshold
73
What do the sheep represent?
Followers which foil (show how opposite they are from main character) Santiago.
74
What is alchemy a symbol of?
Our life. Transforming lead (us) into gold. Purification of life
75
Personal legend is?
Someone's destiny/fate/thing that they are destined to do
76
Language of the universe is?
The way the universe communicates to you on a quest (omens)
77
Pantheism is?
Worshiping all thing in nature because they all have spirit
78
What is the wind that comes from Northern Africa and brings the sands of the desert/the moors?
Levanter
79
What is a motif?
An idea in the story that reoccurs
80
What are some motifs in the alchemist?
Dreams and omens
81
What is the name of the wind that Santiago turns himself into? It also is a desert sand storm wind
Simum
82
What is the name of the wind that brings moisture (rain)?
Sirocco
83
What is a theme of the alchemist?
- The danger of fear can prevent you from "going places" in life. - The whole journey gave him experience. He learned a lot from going on the journey.
84
What does the desert symbolize?
The serious difficulties that await anyone in pursuit of their Personal Legend, but it also serves as an important teacher to Santiago during his journey to the pyramids.
85
What does alchemy symbolize?
Santiago’s journey to achieve his Personal Legend
86
What do omens do? What do they demonstrate?
Omens offer Santiago guidance on his journey and reassure him that the Soul of the World has endorsed his journey. They also serve to demonstrate Santiago’s spiritual growth throughout the story.
87
What doe maktub mean?
It is written
88
Why are personal legends so important?
Because Personal Legends serve as the only means by which an individual can live a satisfying life

English 2 (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions