Othello Quotes/Character analysis Flashcards
(8 cards)
“she loved me for the dangers I have passed
And I loved her that she did pity them”- Othello (1.3)
Othello speaks this quote explaining how him and Desdemona came to fall in love, while the other Venetians are shocked as to how two people from different races and backgrounds can fall in love with each other. Othello’s quotation reveals that him and Desdemona fell in love out of mutual admiration and respect, this quote also shows how Othello is articulate and able to charm people with his words
“I know, Iago
Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter”- Othello (2.3)
In this quote Othello is speaking to Iago after Iago has explained Cassio’s involvement in a drunken brawl. Ironically Othello is assuming that Iago is doing his best to keep Cassio from getting into trouble, however Iago has engineered the entire situation in order to get Cassio into trouble. This quote reveals Othello’s blind spot to Iago and sets the stage for how Othello’s belief in Iago will ultimately be the cause of disaster.
” I prithee speak to me as thy thinkings.”- Othello (3.3)
Othello says this to Iago after becoming suspicious of what is going on between Cassio and Desdemona. A master manipulator, Iago plants a seed of suspicion and then seemingly hesitates to openly accuse anyone, as a result Othello begs Iago to pass along the very suspicions that Iago is eager to share anyways. This quote shows that once Othello has begun to think about the possibility of his wife’s infidelity he is unable to leave the idea alone.
“No, Iago I’ll see before I doubt” - Othello (3.3)
In this quote Othello asserts his faith in Desdemona and refuses to be suspicious of her without due cause. This quote exhibits Othello’s love for his wife and how he doesn’t want to think ill of her.
However Othello showing his faith in Desdemona does nothing but incentivize Iago to bring proof of Desdemona’s infidelity. Because Othello is resistant to believing in Desdemona’s guilt, Iago has more fuel to persuade him.
” I saw’t not, thought it not harmed not me”- Othello (3.3)
Othello says this line as he rages about the torment he is experiencing now that he is suspicious of his wife’s fidelity. Othello recalls a time where he was blissfully unaware of his wife’s alleged betrayal, and as a result lived in happy ignorance. He loathes the fact that now he has formed this suspicion against her he cannot help not thinking about it.
“Even so my bloody thoughts with violent pace
shall ne’er look back, ne’er ebb humble to love.”- Othello (3.3)
Finally convinced that Desdemona has betrayed him, Othello vows revenge against her and Cassio, this quote shows how Othello’s feelings towards Desdemona have changed, he now loves her as passionately as he hated her. This quote darkly foreshadows how Othello will be unmoved by Desdemona’s insistence on her innocence as she pleads for her life to be spared
“Therefore be double dammed: Swear thou art honest”- Othello (4.2)
Here, Othello prepares to kill Desdemona, he believes that her soul is dammed because of her adultery and the more she protests her innocence the more enraged he becomes. The quote shows the terrible bind Desdemona is trapped in: her attempts to speak the truth and assure her husband that she is chaste only anger him more as he believes she is lying.
” Then must you speak
of one that loved not wisely but too well” -Othello (5.2.)
Here, Othello realizes that he has been tricked and deceived. At this point all he can do is try and explain how he would like his story to be told, he specifies that his passion for Desdemona was ultimately his downfall as it made him succumb to jealousy . Had he been less in love with his wife, he would not have become as jealous.
