Othello

• "That I have taken away this old man's daughter, it is most true; true I have married her."

  - The case of the marriage between Desdemona and Othello is taken to the Duke.

  - The Duke asks Othello to put forward his side of the case.

  - Othello admits that he has married Desdemona. Although this may seem as a simple testimony of truth, it is more than a testimony. It is more than a testimony because of the circumstances and context it has happened in. Othello has faced verbal abuse from Brabantio because of his supposed 'charming' of Desdemona, yet, Othello does not fear him. He willingly and openly admits to his marriage to Desdemona, an especially daunting thing to do as the only black man present amongst white Venetians.

  - This is a true declaration of honesty, as well as bravery. Othello was honest and brave enough to tell the story truthfully. Considering he was a black man in a Venetian society, he was already a victim and target of prejudice. Yet, in saying the truth despite the dangers he could have faced, he shows his true love towards Desdemona. He could have lied.

  - He is an admirable character. He preserves his honesty and dignity despite the fact that it could have caused him some judgement.

  - Moreover, this quote also makes Othello admirable.

  - This quote is tragic. We see the good nature within Othello for addressing his mistakes in front of Desdemona's father, yet, as the play progresses and he becomes more manipulated, he becomes full of pride and is unable to confess to mistakes. He believes he is right and kills Desdemona wrongfully without evidence.

  
  

  SAID BY OTHELLO
• "A man of honesty and trust."

  "Honest Iago"


  - About Iago. We begin to question why Othello trusts Iago so much? Does he trust Iago so much because he is the only character to make his love and loyalty known to Othello or is Othello trusting of any character that shows some sort of support to an outsider like him?

  - Beginning of his manipulation. Tragic - we begin to see Othello fall into Iago's trap which leads to his manipulation and his tragic downfall as a victim of Iago, which leads to his indoctrinated mind at the hands of Iago.

  - Othello makes his trust of Iago known. This allows Iago, without Othello's knowledge, to orchestrate plans which involve Othello's trust of Iago, allowing Iago's plans to go forward.

  - VICTIM

  - Irony; Iago cannot be trusted.

  - Portrays Iago's intelligence. We as audience are aware of his duplicity, yet, he has this incredible ability to camouflage his ability. He is smart. It is almost admirable how much he manages to persuade people to believe that he is trustworthy and honest.

  - As audience we almost want to find a way to tell Othello not to trust Iago.

  
  

  SAID BY OTHELLO
• "Iago is most honest."


  - Iago's manipulation of Othello is successful. Othello views Iago as the epitome of honesty, the God of honesty because he is "the most honest".

  - In stating that Iago is "most honest", Othello also implies that Iago is unable to do wrong or even betray him, thus putting his full trust into Iago.

  - Tragic; in putting his full trust into Iago, Othello becomes Iago's victim and allows for Iago's cruel plan to go forward, ultimately leading to Desdemona's wrongful killing.

  - Heightens Iago to a superior position.

  - Othello's view on honesty is manipulated severely. This will soon be manipulated to the extent that it cannot be reversed. His view of Iago's trust will taint his view of Desdemona's honest nature.

  
  

  SAID BY OTHELLO
• "As if there were some monster in thy thought too hideous to be shown."

  - Othello says this to Iago after Iago places seeds of doubt in Othello's mind about Desdemona. Iago also repeatedly copies Othello's words.

  - Dramatic irony; there is indeed a 'hideous monster' in Iago's thought which makes us feel powerless as the audience. We want to tell Othello that he is right but there is no way we can.

  - Tragic; Othello is close to finding out the truth about Iago, yet Iago's manipulation of Othello prevents Othello from finding out the truth. This leads to Othello's downfall and him wrongfully killing Desdemona which could have all been prevented if he did not fall for Iago's trap. MISSED OPPORTUNITY because Othello thinks Iago is "full of love and honesty".

  - Ironically foreshadows - "monster" -> monstrous, deadly, danger; he has a good suspicion that Iago's plan may be deadly, but tragically, is convinced to think otherwise.

  
  

  SAID BY OTHELLO
• "Full of love and honesty."

  - About Iago. Iago's plan is successful, he is successfully manipulating Othello. Tragic -> will soon lead to Othello's downfall and Desdemona's sacrifice.

  - We are angered at the fact that he cannot see the truth. This also shows the extent of Iago's manipulation and how smart Iago is. A few verses back, Othello had suspicions of Iago's honesty and mind, thinking there was a "monster" in Iago's thought. In making Othello change his mind so quickly, Shakespeare makes it evident that now, Iago has control over Othello. Othello has lost his control over Iago and as a general. He is no longer an independent thinker and is easily persuaded which is a fatal flaw of his.

  
  

  SAID BY OTHELLO
• "My lord, you know I love you."

  
  

  "My noble Lord."

  - The sentence that changed Othello's suspicions that Iago has a possible "monster" in his thought.

  - Shows the extent of Iago's manipulation and how smart he is as a character. Not only is he able to manipulate Othello with his love and honesty, but also his words. In calling Othello "my Lord", Iago gives Othello the impression that he is worshipped, almost God-like.

  - The fact that Iago refers to "Othello" as "my Lord" also implies that Iago has a fear of Othello like believers fear God, and therefore, has a fear of sinning against Othello, making Othello believe that Iago would not betray him by lying or ruining his trust.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "She did deceive her father, marrying you."

  - Iago says this to Othello.

  - We begin to feel a hatred towards Iago that is irreversible. It is evident that Iago's morals are abandoned when he attempts to manipulate a beautiful and loving relationship into something that is disastrous. This is tragic because Iago's successful manipulation of Othello into believing Iago is trustworthy, makes Othello believe anything Iago says. As a result, Iago begins to prey on Desdemona's love for Othello and use it against her, which leads to her wrongful killing.

  - This makes us angry. Had Othello not lost his abilities as a general, for example, his rationality and his problem-solving skills, Othello would have realised that in disobeying social norms and her father, Desdemona declared her ultimate and undying love for Othello. Desdemona put herself in a dangerous position for Othello. She sacrificed her relationship with her father for a relationship with Othello, yet, she is still the one to be incriminated.

  - Desdemona is wrongfully treated.

  - Desdemona as a victim. Othello as a victim too; true love is replaced by fake love which is tragic.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "This fellow's of exceeding honesty."


  - Othello's manipulation.

  
  

  SAID BY OTHELLO
• "I am your own for ever."

  - Dramatic irony; we know that Iago is not there for Othello -> "I follow him to serve my turn upon him."

  - This is Iago's declaration of faithfulness and love towards Othello - almost like a declaration of love.

  - This mirrors the vows couples say to each other when getting married. It is as if Iago is marrying himself to Othello and promises a lifetime of loyalty and honesty to trust.

  - Duplicity;

  - Othello falls victim to this. Othello trusts him easily because Iago is the only character that openly admits his love towards the moor. Othello does not have many characters he can trust, therefore he dedicates his trust to Iago. TRAGIC.

  
  

  SAID BY IAGO
• "O cursed, cursed slave! Whip me, ye devils. Roast me in sulphur."

  - Othello's anagnorisis; he discovers the truth when it is too late and makes him dwell on his rash judgement of Desdemona.

  - Fate, missed opportunity; It was fated for Othello to be manipulated and find out the truth when it was too late. Iago was successful in his plan with Desdemona.

  - In stating that he wants to be "roasted in sulphur", Othello makes references to the Christian hell. He is aware of his mistake and wants to be punished, which is admirable. Unlike Iago, he does not remain full of pride when his mistake is revealed. Rather, he takes responsibility - typical of a tragic hero.

  - We also see that Othello has absorbed the racist and prejudice attitudes he has been subject to. He finally sees himself as being in line with the Jacobean stereotypes of black people. He is as evil as black people were believed to be in the Jacobean times.

  - However, it could also be argued that in focusing on his race, Othello is trying to justify his actions as being part of his background. His race is to blame, not himself. He does not take responsibility.

  
  

  SAID BY OTHELLO
• "O villain! O fool, fool!"

  - Iago's true character is revealed when it is too late, which is tragic.

  - Iago has successfully entrapped Othello within his plans. It seems as if Iago has the upper hand on Othello.

  - Missed opportunity & fate.

  - No longer speaks in iambic pentameter; adopts Iago's language. IAGO HAS WON.

  
  

  SAID BY OTHELLO