Othello quotes

'Mere prattle without practice' - Iago (Act 1 scene 1)

Iago says Cassio knows the theory of war but has never fought in one, so is not suitable. Use of plosive 'P' sounds bitter and angry, like he's spitting out the words. The adjective 'mere' undermines Cassio's knowledge and suitability.

'Plague him with flies' - Iago (act 1 scene 1)

Biblical reference to Exodus, where God inflicts a plague of flies on the Egyptians to tell them to let the enslaved Israelites free and tell them he is the Lord. Iago feels like a slave to Othello, so references this to say he will do extreme things to be of higher position. An uncomfortable image that the Audience would know.

'An old black ram is tupping your white ewe' - Iago (act 1 scene 1)

Sounds non-consensual and aggressive. Possession of 'your' suggests Desdemona is an object to be owned by men. Othello presented as evil and animalistic, whereas Desdemona is 'white', innocent and pure.

'I love the gentle Desdemona' - Othello (act 1 scene 2)

Explicitly states his feelings directly. Epithet 'gentle' insinuates innocence, purity and how a woman was expected to act at the time. She is a stereotypical wife and woman.

'Chains of magic' - Brabantio (act 1 scene 2)

Suggests Othello has used magic to seduce her, stereotype of African people. He couldn't have done it himself, as he is not desirable in the eyes of society. The image of 'Chains' suggests imprisonment and no consent or against her will. Tricked into love.

'I won his daughter' - Othello (act 1 scene 3)

Objectifies Desdemona, typical of a Jacobean man. Even though their love is presented as true, he still views her as a possession, maybe showing that ideas around marriage will not be progressive and a more modern marriage (interracial) will not work in this society.

'She loved me for the dangers I had passed' - Othello (act 1 scene 3)

Suggestion of hero worship. Not selling his personality or caring nature as why she loves him, but bravery. But still definite statement that she loves him.

'Bound for life and education' - Desdemona (act 1 scene 3)

Feels torn between her father and her husband. Cannot live without a man. To speak against her father is brave, but she's still making her decision based on men. She cannot be independent, similar to Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.

'My heart's subdued/ Even to the very quality of my lord' - Desdemona (act 1 scene 3)

Accepts submissive quality. Shows she's completely in love with every part of him, not just his bravery and adventures. Sounds soft and romantic. States her commitment, which she is accused of not having later on.

'Honest Iago' - Othello (throughout)

Epithet is ironic.

'He's done my office' - Iago (act 1 scene 3)

Thinks Othello has slept with his wife based on assumption and rumour. Doesn't ask for evidence but happy to believe it to give him a motive.

'Captain's captain' - Cassio (act 2 scene 1)

Feels Desdemona has power over Othello, suggesting she is a strong woman, contrary to society's pressures to be submissive. Contrasts Desdemona at the end. They are equals in their relationship. White over black?

'My fair warrior!' - Othello (act 2 scene 1)

Thinks of Desdemona as an equal and brave woman. Positive emotions towards her, images of light. But he still possesses her, by using possessive pronouns 'my', showing objectification and manhood.

'Wife for wife' - Iago (act 2 scene 1)

Like 'eye for an eye', thinks he has a motive for revenge, but is not sure on facts, so there is an element of vindictiveness. Partially victimises himself. Women are just pawns in his game of men and jealousy.

'Reputation! … The immortal part of myself' - Cassio (act 2 scene 3)

Explains that reputation stays with you after death, and now he doesn't have it he may not be remembered. Repetition of 'reputation!' shows how much he cared about it and he's going a bit crazy.

'His soul is so enfettered to her love' - Iago (act 2 scene 3)

Semantic field of slavery, references his past. This knowledge that Othello is so obsessed with Desdemona is ultimately what Iago uses for his downfall. Hamartia.

'Pour this pestilence into his ear' - Iago (act 2 scene 3)

Plosive 'P' sounds bitter and evil. Knows exactly what he's doing, vindictive.

'Green-eyed monster' - Iago (act 3 scene 3)

Says he wants Othello to beware of jealousy, again seemingly being a friend to Othello. More describing himself and his own motives, showing he is aware of what makes him evil. Everything they see is tainted by jealousy and 'green'.

'I do not think but Desdemona's honest' - Othello (act 3 scene 3)

Explicitly confused about his feelings, showing insecurity in his own relationship. He is in control of his job, but not his relationship and doesn't like it. Double negative. Audience confused also.

'I nothing but to please his fantasy' - Emilia (act 3 scene 3)

Should be questioning his motives at this point. She is willing to submit to her husband, as society tells her to. She is nothing more, even in her own eyes, than her husband's property.

'I'll tear her all to pieces' - Othello (act 3 scene 3)

Not a normal, sane reaction. Animalistic, becoming what society fears about his race. He's forgotten about how harming his wife will ruin his reputation. He's not thinking straight, but seems fairly decided on what he wants to do.

'They belch us' - Emilia (act 3 scene 4)

Vulgar language, showing her class, but also very honest about gender roles at the time. Knows from her experience with Iago. Suggests men have no respect for women and that Othello couldn't have respected Desdemona, no matter his colour. Generalises men.

'My lord is not my lord' - Desdemona (act 3 scene 4)

He has never acted in this way before, which suggests that it is manipulation rather than inherent characteristics. She repeats 'my lord' throughout the play and not that he 'is not' something has gone very wrong.

'With her, on her, what you will' - Iago (act 4 scene 1)

Subtly inferring sexual things between Desdemona and Cassio. Being casual about it to seem more innocent. Pretending to give Othello the evidence he wishes to 'see'.

'A hornèd man's a monster and a beast' - Othello (act 4 scene 1)

Now speaking about himself like an animal, insecure. Upset about how his wife cheating looks on him, possibly because it shows everyone that he is less desirable. He has been battling against this. 'Monster' reference to 'green-eyed monster'.

'It is not honesty in me to speak' - Iago (act 4 scene 1)

Very ironic, because he is not honest and he has used speaking to manipulate the whole plot. He loves to speak and get his word in.

'Impudent strumpet!' - Othello (act 4 scene 2)

Directly accusing Desdemona of sleeping with someone else, yet she still doesn't understand what he thinks she's done. Again, frustrating for the audience.

'Never taint my love' -Desdemona (act 4 scene 2)

Even through all this she won't leave him and her love won't falter. Unconditional true love. May shoe that Othello's wasn't as true, as he could be persuaded she was horrid with no evidence.

'No, by this heavenly light' - Desdemona (act 4 scene 3)

Says she wouldn't cheat on Othello for the entire world. A direct contrast to Emilia, who says she would. Both for their husband's interests though, so good wives in different ways. By using the adjective 'heavenly', Desdemona suggests that she is very serious about this, making her death even more tragic.

'O damned Iago! O inhuman dog!' - Roderigo (act 5 scene 1)

Iago is exposed for what he really is, but the person is dying, so cannot be heard. Frustrating and ironic. How Iago has been describing others throughout the play, but it's really him.

'I will kill thee/And love thee after' - Othello (act 5 scene 2)

Inner conflict. He feels like he has to kill her in order to forgive her. It will be a relief for him. Juxtaposition of love and death makes it even more tragic.

'I am bound to speak' - Emilia (act 5 scene 2)

Very strong and powerful, stands up for herself. Feminist by today's standards, but against the role of women at the time. May be why she dies.

'Demi-devil/… ensnared my soul and body' - Othello (act 5 scene 2)

Finally understands what Iago has done to him. Admits to being manipulated. However, can he blame his actions on another person? He must have had some choice in the matter. Could be the writer saying that black people are more easy to manipulate. Iago has definitely played the role of the devil in the play. He has achieved what he set out to do.