Proxmity And Distance Flashcards
(5 cards)
‘For I have served him, and the man commands/like a full soldier (Act 2, scene 1)
Military Metaphor: The phrase “like a full soldier” employs a military metaphor to convey Cassio’s respect for Othello as a commander. By comparing Othello’s leadership to that of a “full soldier,” Cassio emphasizes Othello’s authority, experience, and capability, aligning him with the idealized figure of a skilled and decisive leader. This metaphor also links Othello to an ideal of military masculinity, reinforcing his status and respect within the ranks.
• Respect and Reverence: The use of “I have served him” demonstrates Cassio’s loyalty and respect towards Othello, positioning him as a devoted subordinate. This conveys Cassio’s belief in Othello’s competence and leadership, providing a sharp contrast to the way Iago undermines Othello’s authority through manipulation and slander.
• Irony: This line is dramatically ironic, particularly in the context of Othello’s later psychological deterioration. While Cassio praises Othello’s leadership, the audience knows that his trust in Iago will eventually lead to his tragic downfall. This irony underscores the dissonance between Othello’s idealized self-image and the destructive path set in motion by Iago’s scheming.
I had been happy, if the general camp,/Pioneers and all had tasted her sweet body, /So I had nothing known’ Act 3 scene 3
Cynical Hyperbole: Iago’s statement “I had been happy” is a hyperbolic expression of frustration and jealousy. He exaggerates the idea of Desdemona’s sexual involvement with the entire camp as an idealized state, emphasizing the extent of his cynicism and resentment. The phrase suggests his distorted sense of possession over Desdemona, turning her infidelity into an imagined solution to his psychological torment.
• Sexual Objectification: The phrase “tasted her sweet body” explicitly objectifies Desdemona, reducing her to a physical commodity for consumption. This not only reflects Iago’s deep misogyny but also his contemptuous attitude toward women, positioning them as objects to be possessed, rather than autonomous individuals.
• Metaphor of Knowledge and Ignorance: The second part of the quote, “So I had nothing known,” functions as a metaphor of ignorance as bliss. Iago suggests that it would be preferable for him to live in ignorance of his wife’s (and Desdemona’s) fidelity rather than knowing the painful truth. This underscores Iago’s perverse desire for certainty in his jealous suspicions, even if that certainty is based on a false narrative.
‘If I be left behind/A moth of peace, and he go to the war’
Metaphor: The phrase “moth of peace” serves as a metaphor to describe Desdemona’s perception of her own passivity and vulnerability in the face of the conflict surrounding her. A moth, traditionally a creature associated with fragility and self-destructive tendencies, suggests Desdemona’s feelings of insignificance and helplessness when compared to Othello’s warrior identity. This metaphor emphasizes her internal struggle with the separation from her husband and the tension between domestic life and the external world of war.
• Juxtaposition: The juxtaposition of “moth of peace” and “he go to the war” highlights the contrast between Desdemona’s peaceful, domestic existence and Othello’s active, violent engagement in war. The binary opposition between peace and war also reflects Desdemona’s internal conflict, as she feels alienated from Othello’s martial world, yet longs to be part of it. This contrast also emphasizes her subordination and powerlessness in a patriarchal society, where men go to war while women remain at home.
• Symbolism of War and Peace: War in the context of the play symbolizes masculinity, action, and honor, whereas peace, symbolized by the moth, represents feminine vulnerability and passivity. Desdemona’s desire to join Othello in war contrasts with her feminine role in society, illustrating her yearning for autonomy and involvement in her husband’s life. The symbolic tension between the two forces highlights the broader societal conflict between gender roles and personal desires.
To do the act that might the addition earn/not the world’s mass of vanity could make me Act 4 scene 2
Juxtaposition of Virtue and Vanity: The contrast between “addition” (implying virtue or honor) and “the world’s mass of vanity” underscores a moral dichotomy. “Addition” implies something earned, honorable, and right, whereas “vanity” represents something false and transitory. This opposition suggests Desdemona’s belief that true value lies in moral integrity, not in the superficial allure of status or wealth, reinforcing her innocence and noble character in the face of false accusations.
• Irony: There is dramatic irony in Desdemona’s claim, as it highlights the stark difference between her perception of her own purity and honor and Othello’s belief that she has been unfaithful. Desdemona views herself as virtuous and above reproach, while Othello is consumed by irrational jealousy, making her statement an expression of tragic misalignment between the characters’ internal realities. This irony amplifies the tragic tension of the play, where truth and perception are in constant conflict.
• Hyperbole: The phrase “not the world’s mass of vanity could make me” employs hyperbole to stress Desdemona’s steadfast commitment to her own sense of virtue and integrity. By exaggerating the unlikelihood of anything corrupting her principles, the line intensifies Desdemona’s moral resolve, establishing her as a character whose noble intentions are unshakable, even as the external world turns against her.
I nothing but to please his fancy
Foreshadowing of Tragic Fate: Desdemona’s emphasis on pleasing Othello aligns with her tragic arc, where she is ultimately sacrificed due to a misalignment between her innocent intentions and Othello’s irrational jealousy. Her devotion to him, coupled with her willingness to neglect her own identity, foreshadows the tragic destruction of her character as she is unable to assert herself or defend her integrity. This statement also highlights the tragic irony in that Desdemona’s complete devotion to Othello leads to her ultimate downfall, rather than the love and respect she anticipates.
• Implicit Metaphor of Objectification: The phrase “to please his fancy” subtly implies that Desdemona sees herself as an object to be used to fulfill Othello’s desires, aligning with the play’s broader commentary on the objectification and reification of women. Her reduction to a mere tool for his satisfaction highlights the patriarchal view that women are extensions of male will, reinforcing the tragic limitations placed on her agency within the context of her marriage.
