OTHELLO Flashcards
(23 cards)
What are Desdemona’s qualities? (3)
Innocent
Loyal
Virtuous
What does prose imply? (4)
Lower status
Eg: Emilia and Roderigo
Othello in Act 4
Iago in Act 2
Bestial Imagery by Iago (3)
“on old black ram is tupping your white ewe”
“your daughter and the Moor are now making a beast with two backs”
“or else the devil will make a grandsire of you”
Quotes by Iago that show his duplicity (2)
“I am not what I am”
“honest Iago” - Duplicity
What epithets of Desdemona’s name are used? (5)
Fair Gentle Sweet Divine Virtuous
What are Iago’s traits? (4)
Amoral
Racist
Jealous
Manipulative/duplicit
What does Brabantio say about Othello? (4)
“foul thief”
“she in chains of magic were not bound”
“sooty bosom”
about how she would not love him unless under a spell
Values of the society (3)
Patriarchal - Women are untrustworthy
Elizabethan - People of colour are not noble
Gender roles were very set
What is Iago jealous of? (2)
He thinks Othello has cuckold him
Jealous of Cassio and the position he has
What is the quote by Iago when talking to Roderigo? (2)
“put money in thy purse” refers to his eagerness for
money and corruptive nature
Quote by Othello about race (2)
“her name, that was as fresh as Dian’s visage is now begrimed and black, as mine own face”
reflects societal views about people of colour
Difference between Emilia and Desdemona (2)
Emilia - more worldly view of women
Desdemona - sheltered and privileged lifestyle
What does the Duke say about Othello? (2)
your son in law is far more fair than black
reflects xenophobic and racist attitudes
What does Othello’s last speech symbolise? (4)
Control of language
“nothing extenuates”
Still believes he has been justified
talks in 3rd person
What is the impact of the vow of death? (2)
Reflects patriarchal views
Thinks his crime is justified
Reflects Iago’s nature and the success and susceptibility of Othello
What does Blank Verse imply? (6)
Characters of noble birth
Protagonist
Higher status/class
Eg: Othello, Brabantio and Desdemona
What are Othello’s key traits? (5)
Jealousy Naivety Nobility Insecurities - Race Insecurities - Age
What does Rhyming Verse imply? (2)
Authority figures
Eg: Duke
JEALOUSY (4)
Othello’s hamartia
Iago’s duplicity fuels it “honest Iago” / “i am not what i am”
Iago’s inter-personal conflict expands to social conflict
Iago thinks Othello has “done his office” and is also annoyed Cassio was appointed above him
Othello switches from Blank verse to Prose due to Iago’s word and mirrors his descent from nobility. Regains his poise in final speech.
SOCIETAL VALUES: XENOPHOBIA (4)
“or else the devil will make a grandsire of you” (bestial imagery)
“she in chains of magic were not bound” (can only be loved if she was under a spell)
“your daughter and the moor are now making the beast with two backs” (bestial imagery)
“your son-in-law is far more fair than black” (said by Authority figure, Duke) meant as a compliment but just reflects the values)
INSECURITIES (2)
Race: “her name that was as fresh as Dian’s visage is now begrimed and black, as mine own face” (reflects the derogatory images that are popular within that society)
Age: “an old black ram is tupping your white ewe” (emphasises the absurdity of the age and race that would be associated with Desdemona)
SOCIETAL VALUES: WOMEN (3)
Vows to God to kill Desdemona as he feels validated due to the values of society
“I have not deserved this … I will not stay to offend you”
Viewed as prized possessions - epithets of Desdemona’s name (fair, sweet, gentle, divine, virtuous)
INTRODUCTION OTHELLO (3)
Elizabethan period
Patriarchal times
Deceptive nature of characters
