Othello - Quotations Flashcards
“My ___, my ___, and my ___ soul shall ___ me rightly”
“My parts, my title, and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly”
Who: Othello to Iago
When: 1.2
Themes: Hubris
Techniques: Asyndetic listing, adjective
Explanation: Othello think highly of himself.
“___ Othello”
“Valiant Othello”
Who: Duke to Othello
When: 1.3
Themes: Nobility
Techniques: adjective, foreshadowing his downfall and destroyed reputation
“I love the ___ Desdemona i would not my ___ free condition put into ___ and ___ for the ___ worth”
Who:
When:
Themes:
Techniques:
Explanation:
“I love the gentle Desdemona i would not my unhoused free condition put into circumscription and confine for the seas worth”
Who: Othello about Desdemona to Iago
When: 1.2
Themes: Love, Domestic and Private spheres, marriage
Techniques: Motif of sea, adjective
Explanation: Othello loves Desdemona so much that he would not give her up for all the treasure in the sea. Interpreted as if is above all treasure or rather objectified by comparing her to treasure. Adjective emphasises the romantic language. Othello confesses he marries for love and not for societal benefits.
“___ stuffed with ___ of war”
“Horribly stuffed with epithets of war”
Who: Iago about Othello
When: 1.1
Themes: War, Jealousy, conflict
Techniques: Adverb
Explanation: Epithets are related to attributes or qualities - Iago expresses that Othello is full of violence and war and that is the only thing that makes his personality.
“My ___ upon her ___ ___”
“My life upon her faith!”
Who: Othello
When: 1.3
Themes: Appearance vs reality, fall from nobility, domestic tragedy, downfall of tragic hero
Techniques: foreshadowing, juxtaposition
Explanation: “Would bet my life on her honesty!” Ironic and contradictory as he does not stick to this statement as the play progresses
“We cannot all be ___, ___ all masters ____ be truly ___”
Who:
When:
Themes:
Techniques:
Explanation:
“We cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed”
Who: Iago
When: 1.1
Themes: Blasphemy, devil, plotting,
Techniques: Foreshadowing
Explanation: Iago reveals to the audience what his plan is. He believes that Othello should not be a leader and that even though Iago himself is not a leader, he can still choose to not follow his lieutenant. Questioning the social system.
“In ___ him, i follow but ___… I am ___ what I ___”
Who:
When:
Themes:
Techniques:
Explanation:
“In following him, i follow but myself… I am not what I am”
Who: Iago
When: 1.1
Themes: Appearance vs reality, evil, foreshadowing tragedy, blasphemy.
Techniques: Paradox, duplicity, foreshadowing, archetypal malcontent character, blasphemy, archetypal malevolent character.
Explanation: Iago explains his tactics to Roderigo. He follows Othello not out of “love” or “duty,” but because he feels he can exploit and dupe his master, thereby revenging himself upon the man he suspects of having slept with his wife. Iago finds that people who are what they seem are foolish. This speech exemplifies Iago’s cryptic manner of speaking. Iago is continually playing a game of deception, even with Roderigo and the audience. Iago revealing his duplicitous nature.
Biblical reference God states “i am what i am”. Iago refers to the old testament quotation and changes it - signals to the audience how evil Iago might be prepared to be. Appearing and pretending to be one thing but deceiving the people around him. Iago is a malevolent character.
___ “___ __ A fig ___
Monologue “Virtue? A fig!”
Who: Iago to Roderigo
When: 1.3
Themes: Duplicity
Techniques: Rhetorical question, derogatory term ‘fig’, monologue
Explanation: Virtue? Rubbish! Virtue is showing high moral standards. Iago is saying that there is no point in having high moral standards.
“A man he is of ___ and ___…___ Iago”
“A man he is of honesty and trust…Honest Iago”
Who: Othello about Iago
When: 1.3
Themes: Appearance vs reality
Techniques: Foreshadowing, juxtaposition, dramatic irony, adjective, noun,
___ “I hate the ___, and it is thought ___ that ___ my ___ hes done my ___.
Soliloquy “I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets he’s done my office”
Who: Iago to Roderigo
When: 1.3
Themes:
Techniques: Soliloquy
Explanation: Iago explains why he hates Othello - there is a apparent rumour that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia. Although there is no actual proof, Iago believe that his suspicion is enough to take revenge. This could act as a potential motive to his plotting, aiming to ruing Othello and Desdemona’s happiness.
___ “Ill ___ this ___ into his ear, that she ___ him for her ___ lust”
SOLILOQUY “Ill pour this pestilence into his ear, that she repeals him for her body’s lust”
Who: Iago
When: 2.3
Themes:
Techniques: Metaphor, Soliloquy
Explanation: Iago said that while Cassio asks Desdemona for help to get his position back, Iago will convince Othello that they are lovers and Desdemona wants to help him because she loves him. Iago is saying: I’ll poison Othello’s thoughts by whispering into his ear.
Desdemona leaves her “house ___” to listen with a “___ ear” and “___ up” Othello’s stories of his adventures.
Desdemona leaves her “house affairs” to listen with a “greedy ear’” and “devour up” Othello’s stories of his adventures.
Theme: Women at the time
Technique: Adjective, verb, metaphor
“___ my fair ___! … O my soul’s ___ ___”
“O my fair warrior! … O my soul’s joy!”
Who: Othello to Desdemona
When: 2.1
Theme: Patriarchy, atypical Jacobean woman, public and private spheres
Technique: Exclamative, ecphonesis, possessive pronoun, juxtaposition
Explanation: Could signify that Othello and Desdemona are viewed as equals in their relationship. Othello’s initial love for Desdemona. The collision of public and private spheres is evident here as Othello referring to his wife by using a war-like term ‘warrior’ emphasises how he cannot cope with separating his work from his relationship. Military term = clashing of private and public spheres.
A ___ of peace”
“A moth of peace”
Who: about Desdemona
When: 1.3
Themes:
Techniques:
Explanation: Translation: “A useless creature living a luxurious life” if she cannot go with to accompany Othello in Cyprus. Moths are attracted to light and symbolise death and endings.
___ Iago
Honest Iago
___ “i ___ him to ___ my turn ___ him”
Monologue “i follow him to serve my turn upon him”
Who: Iago about Othello
When: 1.1
Themes: Appearance vs reality
Techniques:
Explanation: Iago acknowledging his duplicitous thinking. “i follow him to get my back on him (revenge).
___ “ ___ and night must bring this ___ ___ to the worlds ___”
Soliloquy “Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the worlds light”
Who: Iago
When: 1.3
Themes:
Techniques: Adjective, rhyming couplets “night and light” = makes his speech sound like a spell - evil
Explanation: Iago has come up with a plan to convince Othello that Cassio is sleeping with his wife. Now he is bringing his wicked plan into action.
“So will I turn her ___ into ___ and out of her own ___ make the net That shall ___ them all”
Who:
When:
Themes:
Techniques:
Explanation:
“So will I turn her virtue into pitch and out of her own goodness make the net That shall enmesh them all”
Who: Iago
When: 2.3
Themes: Manipulation, plotting
Techniques:
Explanation: Desdemona is kind enough to plead for Cassio and Othello would do anything for Desdemona. Iago uses this to his advantage by telling Othello that Desdemona lusts after Cassio. Iago exploits Desdemonas kindness for his own personal gain. Translation: in this way I’ll turn her own virtue into a sort of tar, to entrap her—and everyone else—with her own goodness.
“I look down towards his ___; but thats a ___. If that you be’st a ___, i cannot ___ thee” (___ Iago)
“I look down towards his feet; but thats a fable. If that you be’st a devil, i cannot kill thee” (wounds Iago)
Who: Othello about Iago
When: 5.2
Themes: Hell, devil,
Techniques: Hellish imagery, metaphor
Explanation: Iago doesnt die in the end, this is why he is “the epitome of the devil” - critic. The devil was believed to have hoofed feet. Othello believes that Iago is a devil after finding out the truth. Iago is finally seen for what he is, a diabolical villain who was able to convince everyone of his honesty, become confidant and advisor to all, while at the same time scheming to bring down Othello, Cassio and Desdemona. Shakespeare keeps Iago’s character ambiguous for the audience because, as Othello says, “I cannot kill thee,” which in fact he is unable to do despite stabbing him. This leaves the audience wondering about the nature of Iago’s evil.
“___ am I in my speech, and little ___ with the ___ phrase of ___”
“Rude am I in my speech, and little blessed with the soft phrase of peace”
Who: Othello to the Duke when declaring his love for Desdemona
When: 1.3
Themes: Race, Othello as an outsider
Techniques: forceful tone - plosive alliteration
Explanation: Translation: “I am not good with words, and haven’t been blessed with the skill of peaceful speech”. He explains that he has led a rough military life and cannot explain himself in sophisticated language. Othello presents himself as an outsider - whether because he recognizes his exotic appeal or because he is self-conscious of and defensive about his difference from other Venetians.
Iago recognises that Othello is “of a ___, loving ___ nature”
Iago recognises that Othello is “of a constant, loving noble nature”
Who: Iago about Othello
When: 2.1
Themes: Characterisation
Techniques: Adjective, alliteration - lyrical
Explanation: Presentation of Othello’s character
___ “The Moor is of a ___ and open ___, that thinks men ___ that but seem to be so, and will as ___ be led by th’nose as ___ are”
Soliloquy “The Moor is of a free and open nature, that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by th’nose as asses are”
Who: Iago about Othello
When: 1.3
Themes: Iagos duplicity
Techniques: Soliloquy, adjectives, metaphor, foreshadowing
Explanation: Translation: “he Moor is gullible and trusting. He thinks men are honest when they only appear to be. I can lead him around like a donkey”. Portrays Iagos duplicity as he is willing to take advantage of Othello’s trusting personality/qualities.
“___ for i am ___ and have not the ___ parts of ___ …. or for I am ___ into the ___ of years —”
Haply for i am black and have not the soft parts of conversation …. or for I am declined into the vale of years —”
Who: Othello
When: 3.3
Themes: Race, insecurity
Techniques:
Explanation: Translation: maybe since I am black and don’t have smooth conversational skills, or maybe since I’m getting old”. Othello is insecure about his age and race.
“O ___, cursed ___ ___”
“O cursed, cursed slave!”
Who: Othello
When: 5.2
Themes: The truth being reveals after lies and deceit
Techniques: Adjective, exclamative, ANAGNORISIS
Explanation: Translation: “Oh cursed, cursed villain”. Could be interpreted in two ways: Othello is speaking about himself exclaiming how he feels unworthy - he feels the loss of Desdemona agonisingly. Or, Othello is speaking about Iago calling him a villain once he discovered the truth.
“An ___ murderer… ___ did i in hate, but ___ in ___”
“An honourable murderer… naught did i in hate, but all in honour”
Who: Othello
When: 5.2
Themes: Tragic victim
Techniques: Juxtaposition, adjective, pathos, intensifier
Explanation: Translation: “call me an honourable murderer, since i didnt do anything out of hate but instead out of a sense of honour”. Othello is trying to justify murdering his wife - could cause the audience to loose sympathy as he may only be declaring this to go to heaven.
___ “One that loved not ___, but too ___… one not easily ___, but being ___ ___ in the extreme”
Monologue “One that loved not wisely, but too well… one not easily jealous, but being wrought perplexed in the extreme”
Who: Othello
When: 5.2
Themes: Realisation
Techniques:
Explanation: Translation: “Speak of me as a man who loved not wisely, but too much; a man who was not easily made jealous, but was manipulated and tricked into extreme jealously;”. Othellos speech of defence. Othello suggests that the reason he acted so rashly and killed his wife with no real proof was that his love was strong, but not wise. Could be interpreted as Othello not wanting to accept the consequences of his actions - going to hell.
___ “Like the ___ Indian, (i) threw a ___ away ___ than all his ___”
Monologue “Like the base Indian, (i) threw a pearl away richer than all his tribe”
Who: Othello
When: 5.2
Themes: Regret
Techniques: Simile, metaphor (Desdemona is the pearl), anagnorisis
Explanation: Translation: “a man who behaved like a vile Indian that throws away a pearl worth more than his whole tribe”. Othello stabs himself in the chest. In this farewell speech, Othello reaffirms his position as a figure who is simultaneously a part of and excluded from Venetian society.
“So ___ to marriage that she ___ the wealthy curled ___ of our ___”
“So opposite to marriage that she shunned the wealthy, curled darlings of our nation”
Who: Brabantio about Desdemona
When: 1.2
Themes:
Techniques: Intensifier, adjective, asyndetic listing - emphasises how she could have the most suited Ventian husband but continues to choose Othello. Emphasises the love she has for him. Adjective ‘shunned’ portrayed Desdemona’s power and authority to reject and ignore suitors - staying loyal to Othello.
Explanation: Translation: “one who was so opposed to marriage that she shunned even the wealthy, good-looking young men of our city”
