quotes and effect

Question 1

“I am not what I am” Iago

Answer 1

Paradoxical, foreshadowing, dramatic irony

Expresses Iago’s manipulative nature

Question 2

“I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear” Iago

Answer 2

Metaphor, dramatic irony

Emphasises his ability to control Othello, and how his naivety is exploited.

Question 3

“Honest Iago” Othello

Answer 3

Epithet

Intensifies dramatic irony in the play

Question 4

“I know thou’st full of love and honesty” Othello

Answer 4

Sustains dramatic irony

Shows how Othello fails to recognise Iago’s deception

Question 5

“Divinity of hell” Iago

Answer 5

Antithesis

Emphasises Iago’s manipulation of Othello’s naivety

Question 6

“The more angel she, and you the blacker devil” Emilia

Answer 6

Metaphor

Reveals both Desdemona’s trusting and naïve nature, and Othello’s ease of manipulation

Question 7

“The Moor’s abused by some most villainous knave. Some base, notorious knave” Emilia

Answer 7

Foreshadowing and dramatic irony

Indicates Emilia’s perceptive nature, intensifies dramatic irony, emphasises her regard of Othello’s reputation as composed and respected

Question 8

“O” as in “O, misery” Othello

Answer 8

Truncated sentences

Reveals Othello’s unravelling by Iago as he descends towards an irrational, emotional recklessness

Question 9

“How shall I kill him?” Othello

Answer 9

Foreshadowing

The tipping point of Othello’s complete disregard of logical rationality

Question 10

“The Moor is of a constant, loving noble nature, and I dare think that he’ll prove to Desdemona a most dear husband” Iago

Answer 10

Shows how he is prepared to ruin Othello’s life despite acknowledging his inherent goodness, emphasises Iago’s definite evil

Question 11

“I’ll tear her all to pieces” Othello

Answer 11

Climax of the play, validates Iago’s initial stereotypes and justifies other’s mistreatment of him.

Emphasises Othello’s increasingly frantic and fragmented disposition

Question 12

“as one not easily jealous, but being wrought, perplexed in the extreme” Othello

Answer 12

Monologue

Shows extraordinary impact of Iago’s manipulation

Question 13

“the Moor”, “Thick lips”, “Old Black ram” Iago

Answer 13

Racist and stereotypical language

Conveys Othello’s position in society as an outcast, rationalises Iago’s actions

Question 14

“The Devil” Iago

Answer 14

Metaphor

Dehumanises Othello, asserts his superiority, uses his race to justify his actions and undermines their relationship

Question 15

“Her own divine complexion and degree” Othello

Answer 15

Reveals Othello’s glorifying of fair skin, exemplifies his personal insecurities and projections of that in his decision of Desdemona

Question 16

“It is not in her nature to fall in love with what she feared to look on” Iago

Answer 16

Undermines his relationship, appeals to his existing insecurity, feeds doubt and mistrust into Othello’s mind, gives him a rational reason which is interpreted irrationally to fear betrayal

Question 17

“Rude am I in my speech,
And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace” Othello

Answer 17

Subverts audience expectations of Othello’s behaviour, contrasts pre-existing stereotypes, reveals prejudices of venetian society