Othello-Quotes Flashcards
“I am not what i am” (Act 1)
Iago-An indication of how Iago’s personality changes throughout the play and evidence of his intent to deceive – identity as a Machiavellian villain
He is a trusted member of Othello’s social circle. Establishes dramatic irony from the outset. He announces himself as deceitful and manipulative. In terms of social status he reclaims a sense of power but puppeteering those above him.
Link to Coleridge’s motiveless malignity – questioning whether he actually has a good enough motive to be this malicious- jealously because Cassio was promoted, or revenge for belief that Othello seduced his wife Emilia.
Emilia seems to suspect her husband’s true nature before anyone else- there is a sense of power in this. Iago maintains intellectual power above everyone else. Is the status quo reinforced at the end? Are the audience satisfied by an off stage punishment? Is it true poetic justice? Lack of remorse from Iago- Shakespeare’s purpose- he didn’t want to redeem or give credit to the behaviour.
Alternative interpretation: I am not what I am- social position- sees himself as more than a servant and a foot solider- he sees himself as worthy of respect and elevation- he can’t achieve this by traditional means. As his power is limited, he creates his own.
Husband- violent, abusive, and as an audience we’re frustrated with his treatment of Emilia. Commentary on being trapped in an unhappy marriage- mutual lack of respect. Insecure- suspects being made a cuckold. Reinforce what he feels he should be.
“she in chains of magic”-Brabantio talking about Othello using magic to incite Desdemona. (Act 1)
Brabantio accuses Othello of using magic on Desdemona.
Metaphor of seduction- distrust of the Moor- complexity with respecting someone in the ways of war, and not trusting them to have a relationship with a white daughter.
Chains- imprisonment/ being unwilling trapped. Characterises Othello as a beast or a thief- someone who has stolen property without permission. Technically, he did take
Brabantio’s property without permission in a legal sense (didn’t ask for her hand). However, the gender power dynamic overrides any racial prejudice. Ultimately it’s Desdemona who is blamed for wedding a man without her father’s permission. Narrative tradition of blaming the woman for being a weaker sex.
“Magic”- art of storytelling- reasons why Desdemona fell in love with Othello were due to his bold (possibly unbelievable) stories. Love at first sight/ intense physical attraction causing a spell/ for them to forget themselves.
Venice- associated with sordid affairs/ licentious behaviour. “Spell” implies something non-traditional- questions why they had a secret and rushed marriage.
Foreshadowing her death/ Othello’s violence (chains)- Shakespeare’s commentary on marriage is that it’s a trap? Lacking in family values/ nothing to pass on/ no legacy of love/ only pain and death.
“The Moor is of a free and open nature… As asses are.” (Act 1)
This is what he seems to be-he seems to claim a gentle nature at the start of the play with Desdemona-Defies social conventions because of his violent/heroic background. Has the idea of love made him lighter. Did Iago totally change his character? Or were we seeing a happier version of Othello at the start. It takes place over a short space of time so was Iago really manipulative? Was it a self fulfilling prophecy? Was Iago about to catalyse his true nature? (Think about the reliability of Othello’s storytelling)
“As asses are”- simile is symbolic of Othello’s lack of intelligence, and ability to be emotionally and intellectually led by someone socially lower than him. Donkeys are synonymous with carrying baggage/ being weighed down- a weight that Iago is going to place on him, and take pleasure in doing.
Shakespeare hyperbolises his goodness to create the downfall even more dramatic.
Hamartia- Othello’s is envy ( popular, widely accepted view)
In this quotation Iago implies that Othello’s hamartia is that he is too trusting.
“I’ll […] make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me” (Act 2)
Taking power and control over his own fate and the fate of others. Make-imperative-puppeteer and control his superior. the moor-constantly reinforcing racial prejudice- creating a sense of otherness
Imagery of mercy- Iago loves to dominate. Semantic field of appreciation- egotistical- demanding of Othello’s affection. Iago believes that Othello is malleable and easy to shape. Evidence of this throughout as Iago lays seeds throughout the play.
Iago is confident in his ability to manipulate
Doesn’t get what he wants at the end- semblance of some poetic justice
Constantly taking away the affection (qualities) that Othello should be bestowing on his bride during their honeymoon. Reflection of the lack of value Iago places upon marriage and also his misogyny towards women. Motiveless hatred towards Desdemona- causes her death without any remorse. Iago constantly takes away Desdemona’s power (respect) for no real reason.
“Reputation, reputation, reputation! (Act 2)
Cassio’s repetition emphasises his despair following his demotion. Had a secure rank, which was easily lost.
Shakespeare is commenting the fickle nature of social respectability- how easily status is lost.
Links to how Othello and Iago try to live up to their status.
Leader’s domestic lives can negatively impact the state.
“The divine Desdemona… our Captain’s captain” (Act 2)
How Cassio describes Desdemona, and how Iago manipulates the general respect Cassio has for her.
Alliterative divine Desdemona- connotations of being heavenly and angelic. Shakespeare reinforces her innocence/ lack of sexual experience, but her reputation is
a little questionable because of the rushed marriage. “divine” could come across as flirtatious, when in reality, he’s merely trying to be respectful and encouraging.
“Captain’s captain”- for a brief time Desdemona does have power over Othello- his love for her seems to be strong- she seems to rule his heart/ his decisions. Cassio is supportive of this but this is what Iago manipulates.
“divine”- foreshadowing her death- innocently murdered in her martial bed- belief would be that she would elevate to heaven like an angel
“Captain’s captain”-showing her as an object and how she will always be tied to Othello-Links to when Desdemona says to her father that her loyalty is now with her husband. Up to her dying breath she protects Othello stating that she killed herself.
“Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul” (Act 3)
Oxymoronic term of affection- Othello saying this about Desdemona- beginning of transformative feeling towards her. This is the act in which Iago plants the seeds of jealously and why Othello has such conflicting views as he wavers between states of belief and disbelief. Wretch- language choice- in his mind, Desdemona’s status is lowering.
Perdition catch my soul- consequence of loving her- risk of damning sickness/ link to hell if he didn’t love her/ didn’t trust her. Othello is extremely vulnerable but not rational.
“Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, Is the immediate jewel of their souls. (Act 3)
Reputation is the most important thing for men and women (Iago speech). Reinforcing societal values but also reminding Othello of his own power.
Language associated with moral integrity and wealth- recurrent idea of taking something tangible like a “jewel” to represent something more profound and deep.
Reputation/ sense of self/ personal is everything and you’re nothing without it.
Iago’s warning to Othello about the risk of being labelled a cuckold. Dramatic irony there, and audience reminder of a possible motive Iago has (because he thinks Othello
may have made him a cuckold himself!) Iago is an untrustworthy narrator- previously told Cassio that reputation wasn’t important when really for Iago, status is everything.
“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster” (Act 3)
Very famous idiom about jealousy- monster- bestial- foreshadowing traits associated historically with the Moors- becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Grim imagery of feeding on meat- likens people to commodities to use and spit out. Emilia later says that men feed upon them and “belch us”- abuse power/ the abuse of men/ the danger of jealousy. Constant reminder that women are the property of men.
Emilia-Feminist
We are all but food to eat us hungerly and when they are full, they belch us.
Emilia- Loyalty, obedience to men
“My wayward husband hath hundred times wooed me to steal it”
Iago- Animalistic imagery, racism.
“Old black ram tupping your white yew”
Othello-
“Rude am i in my speech.”
Emilia
“The worlds a huge thing its a great price for a small vice”
