Othello and Desdemona's marriage as unnatural

Question 1

the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor

Answer 1

Roderigo 1.1 - suggests that this marriage is disgusting

Question 2

a gross revolt

Answer 2

Roderigo 1.1 - implication that this marriage goes against nature, and is therefore unnatural

Question 3

This accident

Answer 3

Brabantio 1.1 - suggesting that this is abnormal, and should not occur

Question 4

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

Answer 4

Brabantio 1.1 - as though Desdemona has been enchanted, and he doesn’t believe it’s a true, genuine love that joins them

Question 5

thou has enchanted her … in chains of magic

Answer 5

Brabantio 1.2 - implies that Desdemona cannot make her own decisions and has no agency, the latter of which would have been characteristic of women during the Renaissance, Brabantio clearly believes that Desdemona could never possibly love Othello and she is trapped, ‘chain[ed]’, to him

Question 6

t’incur a general mock,/Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom/Of such a thing as thou?

Answer 6

Brabantio 1.2 - as though both Brabantio and Desdemona will be mocked for this marriage due to the demeaning nature it entails for such nobles, as though it goes against their nature

Question 7

thou hast practised on her with foul charms,/Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals

Answer 7

Brabantio 1.2 - a racist implication that Othello is necessarily associated with magic and suggesting that Desdemona was forced into a marriage with him, as though she is a weak woman who lacks agency