Othello Key Quotes: Insecurity

Question 1

“Othello’s occupation gone,”

Answer 1

• 3rd person speech.
• Unstable, not himself.

Question 2

‘Haply for I am black,’

Answer 2

• Sign of insecurity. Othello believes he is inferior. Desdemona would have better white suitors than him therefore Iago’s accusation against Desdemona is not unplausible.

Question 3

“Not I; I must be found.
My parts, my title, and my perfect soul,
Shall manifest me rightly.”

Answer 3

• A02: Repetition of ‘my’: Reveals a hubristic side of Othello. Othello is convinced that his position as General will absolve him of any punishment.
• Alternatively: Portrays Othello as calm, collected which contradicts the negative representation set up by Iago earlier in the play. –> Position as a Tragic Hero. Othello must begin in a position of greatness before he suffers his tragic fall.
• Prose: Othello is well-spoken.
• A03: Stereotypes of Black people in the Elizabethan/Jacobean period.
• A04: Tragic Hero, Tragic Fall,

Question 4

About Othello
“Valiant Moor,”

Answer 4

• Othello is brave and well-respected as General.
• It is this respect and status that allows Othello to overcome colour prejudice at the beginning of the play.

Question 5

“Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors, My very noble and approved good masters,”

Answer 5

• A02: Demonstrative of Othello’s respectfulness and humbleness in the face of his superiors. Contradicts Iago’s, Roderigo and Brabantio’s depictions of him. (e.g. Old Black ram)
• A03: Miltians, Attitudes to Black people
• A04: Tragic Hero, Tragic Fall,

Question 6

‘Yet I’ll shed her blood Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow.’

Answer 6

• A02: Similie. Othello wants to preserve Desdemona’s beauty. Othello still loves Desdemona but is blinded by her alleged betrayal. The pureness of Desdemona is highlighted by her skin colour. Desdemona’s skin should be preserved. –> Othello’s race insecurity. –> Othello believes that Desdemona would be disloyal because of it.
• A03: Racism,
• A04: Blindness, Tragic flaw, Harmatia, Pathos

Question 7

‘I’d rather be a toad.’

Answer 7

• Othello begins to adopt racist attitude as Iago’s control over him grows.
• Animal imagery.

Question 8

‘This forked plague,’

Answer 8

• anaphoric to ‘pestilence’ Iago and Othello both use poison/plague imagery which showcases how Iago has corrupted Othello. - He mirrors his speech.
• ‘forked’ Mark of decieved husbands. Othello is already beginning to consider Desdmona as false –. Iago’s impact.
• Reference to cuckhold. –> They grow antlers when their spouse betrays them and they are not aware of their deceit.

Question 9

‘as Dian’s visage, is now begrimed and black as mine own face.’

Answer 9

• Othello’s insecurity of his race. He is reflecting Iago’s manipulation.