Quotes and language analysis Flashcards
Introduction quote of Iago’s manipulation of others
“plague him with flies” referencing getting Roderigo on board with being prejudice to Desdemona’s marriage to Othello
Iago initially talking about Desdemona’s marriage
“gross clasps of a lascivious moor”
“wheeling stranger”
Desdemonas marriage to Othello initially demonstrating rebellion against social order
“a knave of common hire, a gondolier”
Brabantio objectifying Desdemona(possession)
“My daughter is not for thee”
“my spirit and my place”
Brabantio’s role of angry patriarch being challenged
“robbed”-verb signifies an assault on Brabantio’s property
“what profane wretch art thou”-offended by Iago’s mode of address and his impudent words
What can Roderigo be referred as?
“curled darling”
Racism that Iago exhibits towards Othello
“Barbary horse” “the beast with two backs” “an old black ram “
Contrasting language of Desdemona and Othello(talking about race)
“White ewe”
“black ram”
What does Othello say when Iago tries to stir trouble by telling him of Brabantio’s words against him?
“Let him do his spite”
“i must be found”
He is ready to face the consequences of his actions
coarse imagery used by Iago to describe the ‘sexual union’ of their marriage
“boarded a land carrack”-metaphor of piracy so he is degrading Othello
Iago talking about Othello enchanting Desdemona
“a practiser/of arts exhibited”
“Foul charms” to bewitch Desdemona are “gross”
How does Cassio respond to Iago’s crude joke “boarded a land carrack”
-He fails to understand it which suggests that he does not share Iago’s crude humour distancing himself from the villain at stage
-Ironic however, as Iago will cast Cassio in the role as seducer in the next scene.
Othello first defence of his marriage to Desdemona
“i love the gentle Desdemona”
first sincere reference to love
“gentle”=pun both kind-hearted and of noble birth
Othello’s military skill
“valiant”-repeated
How does Iago view Desdemona’s femininity and refinement?
“supper subtle venetian”-pampered and delicate
this questions also the marriage of Othello and Desdemona as they are very different but Othello is convinced love and war can be combined
Othello describing his love for Desdemona and visa versa
“loved me for the dangers that has passed/And i love that she did pity them”
Othello’s story telling powers seduced Desdemona while Othello is enchanted by empathetic response to history
Desdemona and Othello’s deep sincerity of their love but also questioning of image and idea of each other
“saw Othello’s visage in his mind”
maybe idealistic
How does Desdemona approach male authority
“i am hither to your daughter. But here’s my husband”
Desdemona accepts it but subverts it
She speaks assertively to her father
Also shows her transference of duty and obedience from her father to husband
How does Iago alter his speech and what does this highlight?
-Speaks in fast moving prose when outwitting Roderigo suggesting he is thinking on his feet
-Returns to blank verse, demonstrating his ability to manipulate his style to suit his audience and purposes
What does the storm foreshadow in act 2 scene 1?
-passions that will be unleashed in this new setting and we might see it as being related to Othello and his violent emotions
-Could also be Iago’s violence
-Also, disposes of the Turkish threat, which is no longer necessary to the plot
What other purposes does the storm foreshadow?
-While it rages, the soldiers cannot see clearly what happens and are full of fear=mirroring of confusion in Act 1 scene 1
What is ironic about Othello as a cyprus saviour?
-He will prove to be destructive as any temperest
How has the storm metaphorically helped Iago?
-Arrives in Cyprus a week earlier than expected because the storm has helped his progress so ironically he will destroy Othello’s happiness
Who is in charge of the new setting?
Iago lands before Othello, suggesting he will be in charge of the new setting
