Othello quotes: Betrayal, Manipulation and Loyalty

‘In following him, I follow but myself.’

Act 1, Scene 1 - Betrayal

Iago presents himself as being akin to a double agent, with the initial signs of betrayal esatblishing him as the villain of the play

‘Your daughter, if you have not given her leave, I say again, hath made a gross revolt’

Act 1, Scene 1 - Betrayal & Loyalty

Roderigo creates instability by presenting to Brabantio, that Desdemona isn't a faithful, truthful or honest daughter

‘It seems not meet, not wholesome to my place, to be produces - as if I stay, I shall -against the Moor.’

Act 1, Scene 1

Iago's initialted his aid in betraying Othello, but doesn't yet want to be caught - suggesting there's much more to his plans

‘Gone she is, And what's to come of my despised time Is naught but bitterness’

Act 1, Scene 1 - Betrayal

Due to Desdemona leaving Brabantio, he sees the rest of his elderly life as being bitter, due to how painful he believes this betrayal to be

‘O, she decieves me past thought’

‘O treason of the blood!’

Act 1, Scene 1 - Betrayal

As a result of this betrayal, Brabantio no longer has trust in Desdemona being truthful with him & even sees the betrayal as being more painful because she's his only daughter

‘I lack iniquity'

Act 1, Scene 2 - Loyalty

Iago's use of dramatic irony, presents his motivation to do whatever is necessary to achieve his goals

‘Nay but he prated and spoke such scurvy and provoking terms against your honour, that with the little godliness I have I did full hard forbear him.’

Act 1, Scene 2 - Loyalty and Betrayal

Iago's use of ‘prated’, ‘scurvy’, and ‘provoking’ which are slanderous words which subtly foreshadows his intentions. This is an example of Iago's manipulative nature and foreshadows his broader scheme to incite jealousy and conflict. The phrase 'little godliness I have' is dramatic irony, given his intentions in leading Othello to his demise

‘My services which I have done the signory, shall out-tongue his complaints. ’Tis yet to know - which, when I knw that boasting is an honour, I shal promulgate - I fetch my life and being from men of royal siege; and my demerits may speak unbonneted to as proud a fortune as this that I have reached’

Act 1, Scene 2 - Loyalty

Othello believes his loyalty & accomplishments for the senate will prove as character refernce for him w/ his marriage to Desdemona. ‘yet to know’ refers to how Othello doesn’t want to share his happy news until its certain that the news can be shared happily, while ‘as proud a fortune as this that I have reached’ - refers to Othello's noble lineage, prior to slavery, proving him a worthy suitor for Desdemona

‘It is Brabantio. General, be advised; He comes to bad intent'

Act 1, Scene 2 - Loyalty and Betrayal

‘For I'll refer me to all things of sense’

Act 1, Scene 2 - Betrayal

‘What if I do obey?’

Act 1, Scene 2 - Loyalty

‘The Duke himself, or any of mt brothers of the state, cannot but feel this wrong as ’twere their own

For if such actions may have passages free, bondslaves and pagans shall our statesmen be.’

Act 1, Scene 2 - Loyalty and Betrayal

‘I do not so secure me in the error, but the main article I do approve in fearful sense'

Act 1, Scene 3 - Control and Manipulation

‘I did not see you; welcome gentle signor, we lacked your counsel and help tonight.’

Act 1, Scene 3 - Loyalty