Othello - deception & treachery Flashcards
“Thus do I ever make my fool my purse,
For I mine own gained knowledge should profane
If I would time expend with such a snipe
But for my sport & profit” (Iago 1.3)
-Confession to audience immediately after he sends Rod. off to sell his land.
-Ostensibly conceives Rod. to amass a small fortune for his own personal advancement.
-Iago makes it clear that he intends to manipulate Rod. in such a way that he will essentially function as Iago’s “purse”.
-First moment in play where he indicates the depth of his treachery.
-No one - even those apparently on his side - will be spared from his plot.
“And, good
lieutenant, I think you think I love you”
(Iago 2.3)
-To Cassio, as implied by “good lieutenant” surface meaning has positive ring.
-Essentially saying “I think you know I am your friend”.
-However recursive use of “think” conceals deceptive second meaning, implies love without expressing it.
-Both comforts Cassio & undermines his trust in a single move.
“So will I turn her virtue into pitch
And out of her own goodness make the net
That shall enmesh them all” (Iago 2.3)
-Utters at end of soliloquy in which he further develops his treacherous plot against Oth.
-Speaks specifically of Des. and how he plans to turn her f=goodness against her.
-Uses two ill-matched metaphors - initially wants to “turn her virtue into pitch” sticky, black tar-like substance.
Mid-sentence shifts to image of a web in which he can ensnare all his enemies.
-His treachery runs so deep he cannot even commit a single metaphor.
