Flashcards
Othello Quotes: Othello
Cards in this deck (16)
- 1“My services which I have done the signiory/ Shall out-tongue his complaints.”This is the first time the audience meet Othello, after only hearing him being referred to as the ‘Moor’. Othello is presented as confident and in control, contrasting with Iago’s racist insults. This is shown by the blank verse, which gives his speech a measured, eloquent feel.
- 2“My parts, my title, and my perfect soul/ Shall manifest me rightly.”Othello is certain that he has done nothing wrong, and Brabantio’s anger will not cause any problems. The idea that Othello has a “perfect soul” is the exact opposite to how Iago presented him as a “devil” in the previous scene.
- 3“thou hast practiced on her with foul charms,/ Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals/ That weakens motion.”Brabantio accuses Othello of seducing Desdemona with black magic and witchcraft. Again, Othello is being compared to the “devil”. This would have terrified a superstitious Jacobean audience, and also shows the stigma that existed around mixed-race marriages.
- 4“Rude am I in my speech/ And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace”Othello speaks in blank verse at the start of the play, which contrasts Othello’s views of himself. Ironically, it is these insecurities that Iago manipulates later in the play, causing Othello to lose the “soft phrase of peace”.
- 5“This is the only witchcraft I have used./ Here comes the lady: let her witness it.”Othello reveals that his story-telling is what made Desdemona fall in love with him. Could this foreshadow the power of words, and how Iago is able to manipulate Othello later in the play? Unusually for the time, Othello also gives Desdemona a voice for her opinions.
- 6“Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.”The Duke tells Brabantio that if Othello’s virtues were beautiful, he would be “fair”, in an attempt to emphasise Othello’s goodness. However, this quote also suggests that Othello is different from other “black” men, reinforcing the negative racial stereotypes of the Jacobean era.
- 7“The Moor is of a free and open nature/ … And will as tenderly be led by the nose/ As asses are.”Iago believes that Othello is too trusting, and can therefore be easily manipulated. The animalistic imagery once again shows Iago trying to dehumanise Othello. It also foreshadows how soon Othello will be entirely under Iago’s control.
- 8“I will deny thee nothing.”At the start of Act 3 Scene 3, Othello fully trusts Desdemona. His devotion to her is clear, and this quote even implies that she holds some power over him. However, Othello’s trust in Desdemona is destroyed by the end of the scene.
- 9“But I do love thee; and when I love thee not,/ Chaos is come again.”Othello is confident that he will always “love” Desdemona, but this line foreshadows the tragedy and “Chaos” that Iago will cause. The personification of “Chaos” demonstrates the magnitude of the consequences that Othello’s suspicions will end up causing.
- 10“she had eyes and chose me. No, Iago,/ I’ll see before I doubt”Othello dismisses Iago’s warnings of jealousy. He is confident that Desdemona loves him because she “chose” him freely. Othello says he would need to see proof of her being unfaithful before doubting her loyalty.
- 11“I have a pain upon my forehead here.”It has been suggested that Othello’s headache could be a result of him fearing Desdemona is unfaithful. It was rumoured that men whose wives were unfaithful would be marked with cuckold’s horns. During the Jacobean era, a man’s reputation could be ruined by them being unable to control their wife.
- 12“Your napkin is too little.”For the first time, Othello snaps at Desdemona. It can be argued that his rejection of the handkerchief is also a rejection of Desdemona. The handkerchief was Othello’s first gift to Desdemona, and a symbol of their love and trust in each other.
- 13“I’ll tear her all to pieces!”Rage and betrayal has blinded Othello. He no longer thinks logically or speaks in blank verse. His sudden suggestion of murder makes him seem completely different to the confident General from the start of the play. It could be argued his desire for revenge mirrors Iago’s personality.
- 14“No, my heart is turned to stone: I strike it and it hurts my hand.”This metaphor suggest that the thought of Desdemona’s infidelity has upset Othello so much he is controlled by jealousy, which has completely overpowered any feelings of love. It also foreshadows the moment Othello hits her in this scene.
“[He strikes her.]” - 15“When I have plucked thy rose,/ I cannot give it vital growth again.”The use of the “rose” as a traditional symbol of love shows how conflicted Othello is. He nearly decides not to kill Desdemona as he still loves her, but reasons that she must die. However, roses have thorns, foreshadowing that Othello’s crime of plucking the “rose” will have consequences.
- 16“Then must you speak/ Of one that loved not wisely, but too well”Before stabbing himself, Othello asks for his story to be told truthfully. He suggests that he loved Desdemona with too much passion, which led him to make mistakes and make irrational decisions. This final speech is written in verse again. It can be suggested that Othello is giving his own obituary.
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- A level English Literature (Othello) Flashcards on Othello Quotes: Othello, created by 09DyerJ . on 07/05/2022.
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