Othello Key Quotes Flashcards
“Even now,………………”
“Even now, now, very now, an old black ram/ Is tupping your white ewe!”
Contrast of black and white. Black symbolises corruption
White symbolises innocence
“Your daughter…….”
“Your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs”
Bestial imagery
“O treason…” - Brabantio
“O treason of the blood!”
Believes his bloodline has been corrupted by his daughter marrying without his permission.
“O thou….. “ Brabantio
“O thou foul thief […] thou hast enchanted her”
Brabantio views his daughter as a possession that has been stolen by Othello.
Believes he used black magic - racial stereotype
“Valiant…” Duke
“Valiant Othello”
“She loved me…..” Othello
“She loved me for the dangers I had passed/ And I loved her that she did pity them.”
Othello’s story shows how natural it was that Desdemona fell in love with his warrior characterisations but leads to the question on whether she held admiration - but not true love - for him. Furthermore, he loved her pity and sympathy, which suggests that his craving for attention made him decide it was love, not because of her personality. Othello dismisses the accusation of using witchcraft.
“She has deceived…” Brabantio
“She has deceived her father, and may thee”
“Virtue?….” Iago
“Virtue? A fig! ‘Tis in ourselves that we are thus or thus”
The comparison between virtue and a fig shows how Iago believes it to be insignificant, furthermore figs are symbolic of peace so by negatively comparing virtue to peace, it becomes evident that Iago thrives from the chaos caused. He also believes that people have control over themselves, regardless of circumstances, which makes Roderigo hope for Desdemona to love him despite her marriage to Othello. Roderigo’s obsession for Desdemona suggests that he does not wish for her happiness, he just wants to own her as a wife - Othello shows a similar love later in the play as he decides to murder his wife at the prospect of her and Cassio being together.
“With as little….” Iago
“With as little web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio”
Iago’s powerful simile suggests that he is a spider and Cassio merely a fly; spiders are symbolic of malice as they give their victims a venom that slowly kills, this can be compared to Iago planting the seed of doubt in Othello’s head
“Iago is…..” Othello
“Iago is most honest”
Dramatic irony
“Cassio, I love thee;/……” Othello
“Cassio, I love thee;/ But never more be officer of mine”
“So will I turn……. “ Iago’s monologue
“So will I turn her virtue into pitch, / And out of her own goodness make the net / That shall enmesh them all.”
The manipulation of her virtue shows how twisted Iago is and makes him an impressive villain as he realises that Desdemona is good but still tries to upset those around her. It could be suggested that his lack of motive is what makes him so evil, or that he is jealous of the virtue Desdemona possesses so wants to destroy those around her.
“But I do love thee;….” Othello
“But I do love thee; and when I love thee not, / Chaos is come again.”
This foreshadows the chaotic events that occur when Othello stops loving Desdemona.
“My lord, you know…….” Iago
“My lord, you know I love you.”
Love is a strong feeling that suggests that Iago cares about Othello, which means that he respects him, wants the best, is loyal and honest. As the audience knows that Iago earlier said that he hated Othello, they know that he is lying. To lie about love is not only a sinful act, but also a hurtful action and makes the audience question whether or not Iago is capable of love.
“O, beware, my lord, …….” Iago
“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy:/ It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock/ The meat it feeds on”
“O curse…..” Othello
“O cure of marriage, / That we can call these delicate creatures ours”
Othello is now convinced that she has cheated on him and should hate her to get over his hurt. This shows how men in the Shakespearean time were not allowed to feel sad, but must act with a passion as strong as love when betrayed - hate. The curse of marriage suggests that Othello no longer sees his marriage to Desdemona as a blessing, but as something deceitful. ‘She’ infers sexism.
“If she be…..” Othello
“If she be false, O then heaven mocks itself”
“Your Napkin….” Othello
“Your napkin is too little; [He pushes the handkerchief away, and it falls.]”
As Desdemona’s handkerchief is a symbol for their love, he is saying that her love is no longer enough - the seed of mistrust has been planted and taints their relationship so that Othello now rejects her. The dropping of the handkerchief is not only symbolic for their love being dropped, but also an opportunity for Iago’s plan to succeed. Stage direction shows an effort to push it, much like Othello has to make an effort to believe Iago.
“I’ll tear……” Othello
“I’ll tear her all to pieces!”
“They are all but stomachs………” Emilia
“They are all but stomachs, and we all but food; / They eat us hungerly, and when they are full / They belch us.”
“This is the ……” Cassio
“This is the monkey’s own giving out: she is persuaded I will marry her, out of her own love and flattery, not out of my promise.”
The comparison between Bianca and a monkey shows how Cassio views her as an animal. The monkey is generally viewed as fairly intelligent, rebellious, curious and ‘fun’ - so by Cassio seeing himself above it suggests that he is using Bianca for a bit of fun. Othello thinks Cassio is referring to Desdemona, so is quite offended on Desdemona’s part as he holds true respect for her. It shows how weak Cassio’s relationship with Bianca is but also reflects the mistrust in Othello’s own relationship.
“Strangle her….” Iago
“Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.”
“Devil! [He strikes her]”
“Devil! [He strikes her]”
Stage direction with dialogue. This shows the revelation in Othello - from a gentle, kind and noble man to jealous and violent.
“She is honest….” Emilia
“She is honest,/ Lay down my soul at stake.”
Emilia has faith in Desdemona’s honesty, this shows her loyalty towards her friend - and perhaps guilt at having betrayed her. Though Emilia was probably not aware that Iago would use the handkerchief to destroy Desdemona, and it seemed like a “trifle” action.
