Othello Flashcards

Question

Desdemona 'I am obedient' (wedding vow)

Answer 1

A3S3 Desdemona gender stereotypes not only does she embrace these stereotypes, she is also completely devoted to her wedding vows- naivety given that othello thinks she has cheated

Answer 2

a3s3 iAGO ironic prophecy as othello's hamartia is jealousy noun - divinity, loyalty noun associated with sickness, it is all-consuming and may lead to death (link to tropes of aristotelian tragedy)

Answer 3

A3S3 adverb intensifies their differences (aside from race + othellos other insecurities) adjective displays iagos knowledge of othellos deepest insecurities, thus implying their friendship

Answer 4

A3S3 Emilia adjecdtive implies disdain towards iago + also what she is doing verb implies he has said he will reward her for doing so clear exemplification of sterotypes through diminutive language of herself

Answer 5

A3S4 Othello reverts back to sterotypes (accusations of using a 'spell' to woo desdemona) he demands 'ocular proof' but is willing to rely on 'magic'- infantile/debased

Answer 6

A4S2 Othello lstereotype of venetian women which desdemona definetely is not modern audience officially lost hope for their "radical interrace marriage"

Answer 7

DesdemonaA4S3 naitivty begs the question, does she find it 'gross' if men cheat? further reinforcement of patriarchy and a womans place ironic as she uses imperatives now, when it is too late

Answer 8

A4S3 SONG s about a woman who has been abandoned by her lover and is consumed by grief The mention of the willow being "near the brook" adds an additional layer of meaning. Brooks or streams often represent the passage of time or the flow of life. In this context, it could suggest the inevitability of Desdemona’s fate—she is being carried toward a tragic end, helpless and unable to stop it, much like a river flowing to its destination.

Answer 9

Feminist diatribe A4S3 blame on men if women were to cheat futile use of impertives setting is ISOLATED, FEMALE ONLY

Answer 10

A5S1 Othello By having her die, Othello will supposedly be released from the burden that comes with his cheating wife, and his reputation will still be just as excellent. in a twisted way, does he love her? if i cant have you, nobody can attitude in no way can cheating be equated with murder- unjustifiable what he does- reflects his hamartia + debasement

Answer 11

A5S2 The fact that he kisses her without waking her up suggesting a break and lack of intimacy in the relationship# Even though he (supposedly) hates her, he still kisses her- male gaze

Answer 12

A5S2: Still addresses him with respect despite the abuse and violence. Perhaps this references the patriarchal context of the play- her role in society as an obedient wife. Her innocence and respect for Othello in this scene only emphasises the enormity of his crime.

Answer 13

In the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion, there is a solar eclipse and earthquake (see Matthew 27:45-52). Desdemona’s death is equally momentous to Othello, and of course also carries the same connotations of an innocent victim wrongly killed by human evil especially noticeable to a jacobean audience

Answer 14

The apparent revival of a corpse was a typical feature of revenge tragedy. also echoes this "resurrection"

Answer 15

‘As Othello falls victim to racism, Desdemona falls victim to him’ Therefore she feels little guilt because she has contributed to her own downfall by loving Othello; an outsider.

Answer 16

physical and emotional contrast

Answer 17

In her vows, Emilia would have agreed to ‘obey’ her husband and in this society Emilia is aware of the fact that she is supposed to be submissive to her husband. However, Emilia becomes a martyr for the truth and will not be prevented from making justice.

Answer 18

for speaking up (misogyny) or to protect himself from his plan being exposed? extreme lack of love from iago

Answer 19

This refers to the phrase ‘swan song’, derived from the Greek Mythological belief that swans sang a beautiful song before death after being silent throughout most of their lifetime. This is similar to how Emilia stayed quiet about her husband’s misdeeds like other women in this patriarchal society, until she decided to speak out to get justice for Desdemona’s murder.

Answer 20

Reinforcing his credentials as an honourable soldier Othello values fame, status and reputation even if he had committed a terrible deed

Answer 21

rhyming couplet - restoration of order in society

Answer 22

Othello is the most easily jealous man that anybody’s ever written about

Answer 23

a blackness suddenly intervenes between his eyes and the world

Answer 24

women and blacks exist as ‘the other'

Answer 25

Othello is an alien in a white society

Answer 26

Emilia acts according to wifely virtues of silence, obedience, and prudence

Answer 27

The audience becomes complicit in Iago’s intention

Othello Flashcards

(51 cards)