Othello Quotes and Techniques

Homework- Othello; Lucy Holman
Find quotes which provide information about the following key areas of the play. Attempt to identify material that reveals how these aspects are a source of conflict:

|Aspect of the Play |Quotes |How these aspects create conflict |
|Patriarchy |-“How got she out?” |-This aspect is highlight with gender conflict in the |
| |-“Oh, she deceives me!” |play by use of animal imagery, referring to Desdemona |
| | |as that of a dog. |
| | |-The dramatic reference shows misogyny and the |
| | |perspective on women as deceitful and cunning which |
| | |causes further conflict among the genders. |
| | | |
|Hierarchy - Apex of Power |-“Our great Captain’s captain.” |-Desdemona’s high status is before her time and creates|
| |-"Cassio, I love thee; but never more be officer of |conflict as the societies were patriarchs. |
| |mine" |-Indicates the shame when one loses their status and |
| | |blackens their reputation. |
|Christianity/Religious beliefs |-"For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl" | |
| | | |
| | | |
|Ideas relating to witchcraft/Superstitions |“we work by wit, and not by witchcraft” |-Depicts superstitions and the fear of supernatural. |
| | |Creates conflict by the relation of witches to the |
| | |devil. |
|War/Colonisation |“One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, |-Iago is envious of Cassio’s promotion and says that |
| |A fellow almost damn'd in a fair wife; |he doesn’t know more about warfare than a housewife or |
| |That never set a squadron in the field, |a spinster does, this highlights the jealousy cause by |
| |Nor the division of a battle knows |statuses involved in warfare hierarchy. |
| |More than a spinster” | |
| | | |
|Honour/ Reputation |“Reputation, reputation, reputation! Oh, I have lost my|-shows the importance of reputation and social status |
| |reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, |and the conflict causes when that reputation is |
| |and what remains is bestial.” |tarnished. |
| | | |
|Setting – Venice & Cyprus |-“Heaven bless the island of Cyprus and our noble | |
| |general Othello” | |
| |-if sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt an erring | |
| |barbarian and a supersubtle Venetian…” | |
| | | |
|Civilisation vs. Barbarianism |-"For Christian shame, put by this barbarous brawl" |-Conflict is caused by barbarianism and called to cease|
| | |“for Christian shame” . Christianity is depicted as |
| | |civilised in contrast to barbarianism |
|Order (Natural order as ordained by God) vs. |-“Against all rules of nature” |-referrence to the view of individuals concerning |
|Disorder | |Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. These shunning |
| | |opinions show social conflict |

Identify Quotes which use the following techniques and comment on the effect they have on the meaning conveyed:

|Techniques |Quote |Effect |
|Imagery e.g. animal, dark |-“old black ram is tupping you white ewe” |-conveys the view of Othello as dirty and unwanted in |
| | |comparison to pure Desdemona and highlights racial conflict|
| | |present. |
|Dramatic Irony |-“you advise me well.” |-Cassios trust in Iago demonstrates the power of |
| | |manipulation. |
|Soliloquy |"Thus do I ever make my fool my purse..." |Reveals to the audience the character’s true nature and |
| | |intentions, allowing further insight into the story. |
|Symbolism |-The handkerchief given to Desdemona as a token of |When Othello finds that the handkerchief is in Cassio’s |
| |Othello’s love. |possession it confirms his suspicions about Desdemona as it|
| | |symbolises the placement of her love. |
|Puns |“Moorship” |“His worship," is a term of respect, so Iago's pun, |
| | |"Moorship," mocks both Othello's race and his character. |
|Duality e.g. Black/White, Honesty/ Duplicity |"honourable murderer" |Othello’s reference to himself after killing desdemona. |
| | |Conveys contrasting aspects of the play. |
|Iambic Pentameter | |Shakespeares writing style produces a beat more enjoyable |
| | |for the reader |
|Rhyming couplets |“Come, my dear love, |Shows character in a more attractive, honest light. |
| |The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue; | |
| |The profit’s yet to come ’tween me and you.” | |
|Prose |But partly led to diet my revenge, For that I do |Shows characters in a dull, less attractive, and possibly |
| |suspect the lusty Moor Hath leaped into my seat, |evil manner. |
| |the thought whereof Doth like a poisonous mineral | |
| |gnaw my inwards" | |
|Imagery |“now making the beast with two backs” |Iago uses dark sexual imagery to emphasise the disgust felt|
| | |towards Othello |
|Oxymoron |“soldier of love” |Highlights specific irony in the situation |