Quotes Flashcards
Who said “She loved me for the dangers I had passed,
And I loved her that she did pity them.”?
Why is it significant?
Othello - Act 1 Sc 3.
While the other Venetians are shocked that Desdemona could love a man from a different race and background, Othello’s explanation shows that he and Desdemona fell in love out of mutual admiration and respect. The quote also reveals that Othello is a charismatic and impressively articulate individual, who can charm someone with the power of his words.
Who said “I know, Iago
Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter.”?
Why is this significant?
Othello - Act 2 Sc 3.
Ironically, Othello assumes that Iago is being tactful and trying not to blame Cassio for what happened, whereas Iago has actually engineered the entire situation in order to get Cassio in trouble. This reveals Othello’s blind spot where Iago is concerned, and sets the stage for how Othello’s belief in Iago’s integrity and honesty will lead to disaster.
Who said “I prithee speak to me as to thy thinkings.”?
Why is this significant?
Othello - Act 3 Sc 3.
Iago plants a seed of suspicion, but then seemingly hesitates to make any distinct accusations. As a result, Othello actually has to beg Iago to reveal the very suspicions that Iago is eager to pass along. This shows that once Othello has begun to think about the possibility of his wife being unfaithful, he is unable to leave the idea alone.
Who said “I saw’t not, thought it not, it harmed not me.”?
Why is this significant?
Othello - Act 3 Sc 3.
He rages about the torment he is experiencing now that he is suspicious of his wife’s fidelity. Othello recalls the time when he was blissfully unaware of Desdemona’s alleged betrayal, and as a result he lived in happy ignorance. Now that Iago has awakened jealousy and suspicion in him, he cannot think about anything else.
Who said “Even so my bloody thoughts with violent pace
Shall ne’er look back, ne’er ebb to humble love.”?
Why is this significant?
Othello - Act 3 Sc 3.
Finally convinced that Desdemona has betrayed him, he vows revenge against her and Cassio. It shows how fully Othello’s feelings towards Desdemona have changed: he now hates her as passionately as he previously loved her. It darkly foreshadows how Othello will be unmoved by Desdemona’s insistence on her innocence and pleas for her life to be spared.
Who said “Therefore be double damned: Swear thou art honest.”?
Why is this significant?
Othello - Act 4 Sc 2.
Othello prepares to kill Desdemona. He believes that her soul is damned because of her adultery and the more she protests her innocence, the more enraged he becomes. The quote shows the terrible bind Desdemona is trapped in: her attempts to speak the truth and tell her husband she is chaste only makes him more angry at her because he believes she is lying.
Who said “Then must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but too well”?
Why is this significant?
Othello - Act 5 Sc 2.
Othello says this line at the very end of the play, once he realizes that he has been tricked and deceived. At this point, all he can do is try to explain how he would like his story to be told. He specifies that he sees his downfall as his passion for Desdemona, since it ultimately made him succumb to jealousy. Had he been less in love with his wife, he would not have become as jealous.
Who said “I do perceive here a divided duty.”
Why is this significant?
Desdemona - Act 1 Sc 3.
She realizes she is torn between her father and her new husband. During these times, a woman was expected to show total obedience to the male authority in her life (AO3), but Desdemona is now transitioning from loyalty to her father to loyalty to her husband. It shows that Desdemona is very aware of, and eager to honor, social expectations of showing loyalty to her husband. This loyalty will later endanger Desdemona because she refuses to defend herself or challenge Othello’s authority over her.
Who says “Do not doubt, Cassio, // But I will have my lord and you again // As friendly as you were”?
Why is this significant?
Desdemona - Act 3 Sc 3.
Desdemona cheerfully reassures Cassio that she will bring about a reconciliation between him and Othello. It shows that at this point Desdemona feels confident in her relationship and sure that she can persuade her husband to share her perspective. It is an example of dramatic irony in that Desdemona thinks she is being kind and helpful, but has no idea that she is about to fall victim to the trap Iago has laid.
Who said “I think the sun where he was born
Drew all such humors from him.”?
Why is this significant?
Desdemona - Act 3 Sc 4.
Desdemona insists to Emilia that Othello is not a jealous man. She makes a playful reference to Othello’s origins, suggesting that the sun in his native land made him impervious to jealousy, and therefore he is an exception to the typical Venetian tendency to be suspicious of women’s behavior. It shows Desdemona’s naïve and trusting nature, since she does not realize just how jealous her husband is capable of being.
Who said “His unkindness may defeat my life
But never taint my love.”?
Why is this significant?
Desdemona - Act 4 Sc 2.
Desdemona says this line to Emilia and Iago as she explains how she will remain faithful and loving to Othello even if he insists on accusing her of infidelity. Desdemona swears she would love him even if his mistreatment was responsible for her death, but we don’t know how seriously she takes this possibility. It seems most likely that she still clings to the belief of being able to persuade Othello of her innocence, and does not yet understand how much danger she is in.
Who said “Beshrew me if I would do such a wrong
For the whole world.”
Why is this significant?
Desdemona - Act 4 Sc 3.
Desdemona explains to Emilia that she would never consider being unfaithful, no matter the circumstances. It shows that Desdemona is so virtuous she cannot even understand why a woman would betray her husband. Desdemona’s innocence is part of her undoing because she never stops to think about how her behavior might appear to someone who is viewing it with suspicion. Instead she assumes that everyone will see her integrity and purity.
Who said “Kill me tomorrow; let me live tonight.”
Why is this significant?
Desdemona - Act 5 Sc 2.
Desdemona pleads for her life in the moments before Othello kills her. Desdemona only comes to understand her husband’s murderous intentions at the last instant, because she cannot believe he would actually harm her. Even when Desdemona does speak out, she seems to accept that Othello has the right to kill her if he wants to.
She doesn’t ask that her life be spared, but only that her death be delayed.
Who said “I follow him to serve my turn upon him.”?
Why is this significant?
Iago - Act 1 Sc 1.
He explains that he secretly hates Othello and is plotting against him. Although everyone, including Othello, believes that Iago is a loyal and devoted friend, Iago understands the strategic advantage that false friendship gives him. As a trusted confidante, he is able to sway Othello’s opinion and manipulate him much more effectively. It shows that from the moment the action begins, Iago is already looking for ways to bring about Othello’s downfall.
Who said “If thou canst cuckold him, thou dost thyself a pleasure, me a sport.”?
Why is this significant?
Iago - Act 1 Sc 3.
Iago explains how Roderigo can help him. He knows that Roderigo lusts after Desdemona and is angry to learn that she is married Othello. Iago encourages Roderigo to believe that by participating in Iago’s plot, he might have the chance to have an affair with Desdemona.
