Quotes and themes

Question 1

What are the main themes in Othello?

Answer 1

Prejudice, appearance vs reality, jealousy, womanhood and sexuality

Question 2

What does prejudice define as?

Answer 2

Harm or injury that results or may result from some action or judgement

Question 3

What does racism define as?

Answer 3

The belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races

Question 4

What does racial prejudice mean?

Answer 4

Prejudice against or hostility toward people of another race or colour

Question 5

What does Branbatio, Iago and other characters racial prejudice lead too?

Answer 5

Othello lack of self-confidence, allowing him to believe in Iago’s lies of Desdemona’s adultery

Question 6

Quotes demonstrating Brabantio’s racial prejudice towards Othello?

Answer 6

“foul theif”
“thou has enchanted her”
“sooty bosom”
“against the rules of nature”

Question 7

What are the implications of “foul theif”?

Answer 7

“Foul” gives connotations of human faeces, Othello is a product of waste - dehumanising
“Theif” illustrates a criminal, suggesting Othello is going against society by being with Desdemona

Question 8

What are the implications of “sooty bosom”?

Answer 8

“Sooty” gives dirty connotations, giving Othello disease like characteristics

Question 9

What are the implications of “Against the rules of nature”?

Answer 9

Brabantio suggest that Othello is transgressing by pursuing a white women

Question 10

Quotes demonstrating Iago’s racial prejudice towards Othello?

Answer 10

“Sir, you’re robbed”
“old black ram”
“tupping your white ewe”

Question 11

What are the implications of “sir, you’re robbed’?

Answer 11

Could be seen through a feminist lens - Desdemona is objectified
Also portraying Othello as a criminal, not a true member of civil society

Question 12

What are the implications of “tupping your white ewe”?

Answer 12

“tupping” initiates animalistic qualities

Directly contrast with “sooty”, Desdemona is pure and white, Othello is black and demonic

Question 13

What are the main themes of Othello?

Answer 13

Appearance vs reality
Deception and treachery 
Timing 
Jealousy 
Justice

Question 14

Quotes to show appearance vs reality

Answer 14

“I am not what I am”

Question 15

Quotes to show deception and treachery

Answer 15

“So will I turn her virtue into pitch” - turn Desdemona’s goodness against her

Question 16

Quotes to show timing

Answer 16

“Leave it to time” - ironic as Iago knows with time Othello will grow even more insecure and his plan will quickly fall into place

Question 17

Quotes to show jealousy

Answer 17

“But jealous for they’re jealous. It is a monster
Begot upon itself, born on itself” - Emilia tells Desdemona that one is inherently jealous, shows Othello’s heritage is what makes him jealous

Question 18

Quotes which show reputation

Answer 18

Cassio suggests reputation is everything to him - “Reputation, reputation, reputation”

Question 19

Quotes which demonstrate Cassio’s inexperience as a lieutenant?

Answer 19

“never set a squadron in the field”

Question 20

Quotes which demonstrate Emilia’s position as a women?

Answer 20

“My lord”

Question 21

What is significant about Emilia referring to Iago as “My lord”

Answer 21

Emilia addresses the antagonist who is a figure of true evil as though he is a godly figure - represents the inevitable fall of Emilia who cannot challenge such a potent force

Question 22

What quotes demonstrates dual meaning?

Answer 22

“Your son-in-law is far more fair than black”

Question 23

What is the dual meaning on the Duke’s comment about Othello?

Answer 23

If virtue can be beautiful, then Othello is beautiful because he possess goodness
Backhanded compliment - Othello is more “fair” than those of his kind

Question 24

What quote demonstrates the moral of Othello?

Answer 24

“To mourn a mischief that is past and gone is the next way to draw new mischief on”

Question 25

How does the quote said by the Duke demonstrate the moral in Othello?

Answer 25

The Duke suggests that by holding a grudge over behaviours which you consider improper it will only lead you on to commit an act which will cause you more trouble

Question 26

What is crucial about the bedroom in Othello?

Answer 26

Its claustrophobic - outer world becomes insignificant as Othello becomes obsessive and impulsive