Scene 1 - Key Quotes Flashcards
Opens in a street at night.
R: “Tush, never tell me!”
Atmosphere of danger and secrecy.
- Characters here shouldn’t be trusted.
Opens with an argument between R and I
- Foreshadows disorder and malcontent which will define the play as a whole.
“Tush” = swear word.
R: “Had my purse”
R’s led money to I.
- I is in control and uses him for his own gain, as with all characters.
I: “‘Sblood, but you will not hear me.”
= “God’s blood”
- Swearing truth - his honesty is already questioned.
Direct address shows his anger towards R.
R: “Him in thy hate.”
Doesn’t refer to O by name.
- Direspect.
- Builds mystery and anticipation of O’s personality and morality.
Already hears negative views on O and he can’t defend himself yet.
I: “I know my price, I am worth no worse a place.”
Hierarchy.
O is a mercenary - can be sold.
I is confident - believes he’s worth more.
I: “Loving his own pride and purposes”
Plosive - anger, frustration.
O is arrogant and self-centred.
I: “Arithmetician, one Michael Cassio.”
His name first used shows his significance in the play.
Says he is a theorist instead of fighting in war.
- Scorned for lacking practical experience of warfare.
I: “Florentine.”
Compares C to Machiavelli - devilish and manipulative.
- Irony as it is I who is a Machiavelli.
I: “Never set a squadron in the field […] More than a spinster.”
C knows so little about war that even an unmarried woman would know as much.
I: “Bookish theoric”, “Toged consuls”, “Prattle without practice.”
Inadequate for the person lieutenant promotion.
- Highlights I’s jealousy.
I: “Debitor and creditor, this counter-caster.”
Plosive - threatening tone.
- bitterness I feels.
Calls O a mere bookkeeper and petty accountant.
- Underserving of high status.
I: “Moorship’s ancient”
Twist on ‘lordship/ worship’
- Disrespect, not regarded as aristocracy.
- Obsession with O’s skin colour.
I is O’s ensign - lower status (standard-bearer).
R: “His hangman.”
Aspirant alliteration.
Rather hang O than serve him.
- Contrasts I being his ‘ancient’.
Link to blacks being hung as slaves.
- O references this is A 1, S 3.
I: “Moor.”
Racial slur.
I: “I follow him to serve my turn upon him.”
Master - servant paradox.
Serve him long enough to gain trust then take advantage.
Presents I’s grudge.
- Immediately presents him as stereotypical antagonist - manipulative, deceitful and evil.
