Quotes and themes Flashcards
What are the main themes in Othello?
Prejudice, appearance vs reality, jealousy, womanhood and sexuality
What does prejudice define as?
Harm or injury that results or may result from some action or judgement
What does racism define as?
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
What does racial prejudice mean?
Prejudice against or hostility toward people of another race or colour
What does Branbatio, Iago and other characters racial prejudice lead too?
Othello lack of self-confidence, allowing him to believe in Iago’s lies of Desdemona’s adultery
Quotes demonstrating Brabantio’s racial prejudice towards Othello?
“foul theif”
“thou has enchanted her”
“sooty bosom”
“against the rules of nature”
What are the implications of “foul theif”?
“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
What are the implications of “sooty bosom”?
“Sooty” gives dirty connotations, giving Othello disease like characteristics
What are the implications of “Against the rules of nature”?
Brabantio suggest that Othello is transgressing by pursuing a white women
Quotes demonstrating Iago’s racial prejudice towards Othello?
“Sir, you’re robbed”
“old black ram”
“tupping your white ewe”
What are the implications of “sir, you’re robbed’?
Could be seen through a feminist lens - Desdemona is objectified
Also portraying Othello as a criminal, not a true member of civil society
What are the implications of “tupping your white ewe”?
“tupping” initiates animalistic qualities
Directly contrast with “sooty”, Desdemona is pure and white, Othello is black and demonic
What are the main themes of Othello?
Appearance vs reality Deception and treachery Timing Jealousy Justice
Quotes to show appearance vs reality
“I am not what I am”
Quotes to show deception and treachery
“So will I turn her virtue into pitch” - turn Desdemona’s goodness against her
Quotes to show timing
“Leave it to time” - ironic as Iago knows with time Othello will grow even more insecure and his plan will quickly fall into place
Quotes to show jealousy
“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
Quotes which show reputation
Cassio suggests reputation is everything to him - “Reputation, reputation, reputation”
Quotes which demonstrate Cassio’s inexperience as a lieutenant?
“never set a squadron in the field”
Quotes which demonstrate Emilia’s position as a women?
“My lord”
What is significant about Emilia referring to Iago as “My lord”
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
What quotes demonstrates dual meaning?
“Your son-in-law is far more fair than black”
What is the dual meaning on the Duke’s comment about Othello?
If virtue can be beautiful, then Othello is beautiful because he possess goodness
Backhanded compliment - Othello is more “fair” than those of his kind
What quote demonstrates the moral of Othello?
“To mourn a mischief that is past and gone is the next way to draw new mischief on”
How does the quote said by the Duke demonstrate the moral in Othello?
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
What is crucial about the bedroom in Othello?
Its claustrophobic - outer world becomes insignificant as Othello becomes obsessive and impulsive