OTHELLO- dutiful love

Question 1

Brabantio’s daughter rebelling

Method: threat of female agency

Act 1 Scene 1

Answer 1

‘Your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs’

Question 2

Desdemona as a shame on Brabantio’s household

Method: reference to fearful female autonomy

Act 1 Scene 1

Answer 2

‘Your daughter, if you have not given her leave … hath made a gross revolt’

Question 3

Brabantio’s warning to fathers about their daughters not being dutiful

Method: reference to fearful female autonomy

Act 1 Scene 1

Answer 3

‘Fathers … trust not your daughters’ minds’

Question 4

What is the effect of women not being dutiful according to Brabantio?

Method: reference to the Elizabethan Chain of Being; natural hierarchy

Act 1 Scene 2

Answer 4

‘Bond slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be’

Question 5

Desdemona’s duty to her father

Method: Desdemoma’s fidelity

Act 1 Scene 3

Answer 5

‘To you I am bound for life and education’

Question 6

Desdemona’s duty to her husband

Method: reference to the combining of the domestic and public sphere (‘quality’ is job)

Act 1 Scene 3

Answer 6

‘My heart’s subdued even to the very quality of my lord’

Question 7

Iago on Desdemona’s fidelity to Othello

Method: reference to female sexual appetite; women are capricious

Act 1 Scene 3

Answer 7

‘When she is sated with his body … she must have change’

Question 8

Iago on womankind’s undutiful nature

Method: reference to female sexual appetite

Act 2 Scene 1

Answer 8

Women are ‘players in your housewifery, and housewives in … your beds’

Question 9

Othello’s proclamation of duty to Desdemona

Method: Othello’s initial adoration towards Desdemona

Act 3 Scene 3

Answer 9

‘I will deny thee nothing’

Question 10

Desdemona’s proclamation of duty to Othello

Method: reference to conventional female fidelity

Act 3 Scene 3

Answer 10

‘Whate’er you be, I am obedient’

Question 11

Iago’s declaration of duty to Othello

Method: parody of the wedding ceremony

Act 3 Scene 3

Answer 11

‘Iago kneels’

‘Iago doth give up the execution of his wit, hands, heart, to wronged Othello’s service’

Question 12

What does Iago accuse Cassio of doing with Desdemona?

Method: reference to fearful female sexual appetite; female agency leads to cuckoldry; Desdemona as undutiful

Act 4 Scene 1

Answer 12

‘Lie … with her, on her, what you will’

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