Quotes

Question 1

‘When my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act & figure of my heart…
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at.’

Answer 1

• ‘daws’ = birds, zoomorphism
• Outward behaviour doesn’t reflect inner feelings = deception & facade
• Honesty is a sign & cause of weakness

Question 2

‘I am not what I am.’

Answer 2

• Famous, ambiguous phrase
• Proves how deep Iago’s duplicity goes
• Dishonesty so extreme he has unstable personality beneath strategic manipulation of others

Question 3

‘Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her!’
‘If she in chains of magic were not bound’
‘Whether a maid, so tender, fair & happy’

Answer 3

• Pertinent example of racial prejudice directed at Othello
• Othello fantastical being with supernatural powers
• Desdemona = innocent & purity destroyed by Othello’s sinister sexual powers
• Brabantio thinks its impossible Desdemona married him out of her own free will

Question 4

‘The Moor is of a free & open nature,
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so:
And will as tenderly be led by th’ nose
As asses are’

Answer 4

• ‘Ass’ = donkey, zoomorphism for Othello
• Animals entwined with racist view = emphasis on being naturally subservient & unintelligent
• Othello = demonstrated he’s talented & trusting
• Trust = Othello’s fatal flaw
• Othello’s free nature juxtaposed with Iago’s cunning nature = dangerous in gullibility & selfish scheming

Question 5

‘Reputation, reputation, reputation ! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, & what remains is bestial’

Answer 5

• Cassio confirms huge value placed on reputation at the time
• Highlights danger of mistaken appearances = immediacy in which his flawless character is ruined
• ‘Bestial’ = importance of honour as the characteristic that distinguishes men from animals
• Animals connects predicament to racist distrust of Othello as animalistic

Question 6

‘O beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green eyed monster, which doth mock
The meat it feeds on’

Answer 6

• Iago evading question from Othello of demanding to know what Iago is really thinking = projecting
• ‘Green eyed monster’ = metaphor for jealousy
• Warning directly prefigures chaotic impact that jealousy will have on Othello
• Othello’s irrational jealousy destroys him ultimately
• Iago = envious parasitic influence

Question 7

‘This honest creature doubtless
Sees & knows more, much more, than he unfolds’

Answer 7

• Iago = misrepresents info in order to undermine Othello, juxtaposes ‘honest creature’
• Othello thinks he is alone when making statement, immediately afterward Iago briefly returns
• Iago likely to be shown overhearing Othello = adds dramatic irony

Question 8

‘A horned man’s a monster & a beast.’

Answer 8

• Folklore at time held that a cuckold (man with unfaithful wife) would grow horns, making humiliated status visible for rest of society
• Desdemona’s infidelity ruin Othello’s noble & manly reputation
• Confirm racist beliefs that Othello is animalistic & supernatural creature rather than human

Question 9

‘Old black ram’
‘Tupping your white ewe!’

Answer 9

• Iago = crude
• Suggestion of sexual desire to disgust father & make it appear they have sinned
• ‘black ram’ suggests that he is black sheep of society = skin colour makes him different
• ‘White’ = innocence of daughter is being revoked

Question 10

‘O treason of the blood!’

Answer 10

• Brabantio believes bloodline is tainted & corrupted by daughter marrying without permission
• Daughter belongs to father at this time
• Marriage should cause happiness, not distrust