Othello Quotes

My Quotes

Roderigo uses a racial slur when speaking to Iago about Othello.

What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe

If he can carry ‘t thus! (1.1)

Iago is speaking to Brabantio about Othello and Desdemona’s relationship.

“Even now, now, very now, an old black ram

Is tupping your white ewe.” (1.1)

Othello begins to doubt himself after Iago plants suspicions of Desdemona’s infidelity.

Haply, for I am black

And have not those soft parts of conversation

That chamberers have. (3.3)

Othello comes to realise that he has been manipulated by Iago, but by now it is too late. In his final speech he takes responsibility for his actions.

Then, must you speak

Of one that loved not wisely but too well;

Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought

Perplex’d in the extreme; of one whose hand,

Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away

Richer than all his tribe. (5.2)

Iago tries to convince Roderigo that Desdemona will soon leave Othello because of his race.

Her eye must be fed. And what delight shall she have to look on the devil? When the blood is made dull with the act of sport, there should be, again to inflame it and to give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favour, sympathy in years, manners, and beauties, all which the Moor is defective in. (2.1)

Emelia discusses the issues of jealousy.

"But jealous souls will not be answered so. They are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they're jealous. 'Tis a monster begot upon itself, born of itself" (3.4)

Iago is talking to Othello about jealousy, he is pretending to be friendly toward Othello in order to manipulate him.

‘O beware, my lord, of jealousy: It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.’ (3.3)

Roderigo confesses that he is upset that he lost Desdemona to someone like Othello. Iago reflects his own feelings about Othello and his plan to bring on Othello’s downfall.

"The Moor is of a free and open nature

That thinks men honest that but seem to be so;

And will as tenderly be led by th' nose

As asses are." (1.3)

Iago delivers a soliloquy and he describes that he will settle with driving Othello mad with jealousy by tricking him into thinking that Desdemona has been unfaithful.

"I'll [...] make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me

For making him egregiously an ass." (2.1)

Brabantio believes that Desdemona has betrayed him by marrying Othello a black man.

O treason of the blood!

Fathers, from hence trust not your daughters’ minds

By what you see them act. (1.1)