Othello and Desdemona's marriage as unnatural Flashcards
the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor
Roderigo 1.1 - suggests that this marriage is disgusting
a gross revolt
Roderigo 1.1 - implication that this marriage goes against nature, and is therefore unnatural
This accident
Brabantio 1.1 - suggesting that this is abnormal, and should not occur
Is there not charms/By which the property of youth and maidhood/May be abused?
Brabantio 1.1 - as though Desdemona has been enchanted, and he doesn’t believe it’s a true, genuine love that joins them
thou has enchanted her … in chains of magic
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
t’incur a general mock,/Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom/Of such a thing as thou?
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
thou hast practised on her with foul charms,/Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
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
She is abused, stolen from me and corrupted
Brabantio 1.3 - suggests that their marriage is one that is innately wrong as it is suggested that it is polluted
in spite of nature
Brabantio 1.3 - suggests that this marriage is unnatural as it goes against who Desdemona is as a person
a judgement maimed and most imperfect/That will confess perfection so could err/Against all rules of nature
Brabantio 1.3 - whilst referring to Desdemona as ‘perfection’ suggests that he values her and loves her, this racialised language suggests that this marriage is unnatural as it goes against the inherent laws of the world
link to ‘and so nature, erring from itself’ (Othello, 3.3)
Look to her, Moor, if thou has eyes to see:/She has deceived her father, and may thee
Brabantio 1.3 - here, Brabantio plants a seed of doubt in Othello, implying that their marriage is insecure, and suggesting that Desdemona is a cunning, manipulative liar
a frail vow betwixt an erring Barbarian and a super-subtle Venetian
Iago 1.3 - suggests that the marriage will not last as it is built on a weak foundation between two revolting people (a racialised other and a sexualised woman)
