OTHELLO QUOTES/ Analysis
Descriptions of Othello:
“The Moor” = a label: his race defines his identity the entirety of the play, gives bad
impressions
(1.1) “Thick-lips” = derogatory label, racial slur = Reducing Othello to radicalised physical
attributes, by taking away Othello’s subjectivity as a whole person, but also alluding to his
hypersexual nature, as lips is a symbol of sexuality.
“Barbary horse” = zoomorphism, animalistic, suggesting he’s below him
(1.1) “An old black ram is tupping your white ewe” = bestial, animalistic, zoomorphism, white:
evokes purity, but also symbolises the binary to black: racism and misogyny/sexism due to
the zoomorphism. The imagery establishes the violent and sexual dominance of Othello over
Desdemona (men over women).
“Black”- focusing on his ethnicity, which is crucial part in Othello’s characteristics.
“Ram” - suggesting his physical strength and intimidating size.
“Tupping” - verb connoting this sexual euphemism of being on top.
“Your” - Laying possession against Brabantio as Desdemona is his possession + enshrines
the masculine principles of possession over women
(1.1) “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram/ Is tupping your white ewe.” =
Hypersexual nature of Othello emphasised by animalistic imagery, used by Iago, to describe
intercourse between Othello and Desdemona.
“Very now” = Preposition creates a sense of urgency.
(1.1) “The lascivious Moor” = associates him with sex: derogatory, overlooks his other
qualities and his nobility and military achievements
(1.2) “Down with him thief” = Anti-Black notion/ negative connotation: someone who takes
the goods a property of another by stealth.
(2.1) “The Moor is of a constant, loving, noble nature” = Iago uses these strengths and
compliments against Othello to bring him to his downfall
(1.3) “The Moor, a free and open nature too that thinks men honest that seem to be so and
will tenderly be led by the nose as asses are” = suggesting he’s gullible, easy to manipulate,
zoomorphism: derogatory and implies he’s below him intellectually
(2.2) “Noble, valiant Othello” = shows how people see him and how they prioritise his military
prowess and achievements over his race, shows he’s respected: makes his downfall that
much more tragic and significant in the play
Descriptions of Iago:
“A man he is of honesty and trust”
(2.3) “Iago is most honest”
“This fellow is of exceeding honesty”
“O, that’s an honest fellow” - Desdemona
“Honest Iago” = a label, what he’s known for, his honesty defines him, ironic, he has built
himself this reputable, noble image that he seeks to maintain.
Iago’s manipulation:
, (3.3) “She did deceive her father, marrying you.” = cyclical nature of quote. He’s implying
and insinuating that she would cheat and deceive him too + Iago uses the past (he’s an
opportunist) and the expectation and reputations of women in Venetian society to manipulate
Othello. The idea is that an unruly daughter will make an unruly and promiscuous wife.
“I follow him to serve my turn upon him.”
“Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio.”
(3.3) “Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the
meat it feeds on” = anthropomorphism of jealousy + use of “monster”: paints jealousy as
powerful, dangerous and threatening. Foreshadowing of Othello’s downfall. “Beware” and
the exclamation point further emphasise these points and also add verbal and dramatic irony
as we know Iago wants Othello to fall into his trap and become jealous not “beware” of it.
“green-eyed” because the colour green is associated with and symbolises jealousy.
(2.3) “I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear”
(2.3) “So will I turn her virtue into pitch,/And out of her own goodness make the net/That
shall enmesh them all.”= bcz of Desdemona’s position as a woman: easily framed, naive,
spider imagery: compares Iago to a spider who are clever and small yet dangerous
(1.1) “Your daughter and the Moor are making the beast with two backs” = uses the fact that
Brabantio will feel his manly honour challenged by the obscene image of his daughter having
sex with a black man
(2.1) “ensnare as great a fly as Cassio”
(3.3) “I cannot think it that he would steal away so guilty-like seeing you coming” = plants
seed of doubt and suspicion in Othello’s mind using reverse psychology
(1.1) “I am not what I am” Classic paradoxial construction by Iago, suggesting that
appearances are indeed incredibly deceiving. Also that shows how Iago enacted a facade of
humble civility about him to enact a greater persuasive and coercive side to his character.
(1.1) “poison his delight” This notion of Iago poisoning peoples minds and their delights will
reoccur throughout the entire play.
(1.1) “Zounds, sir, you’re robbed; for shame, put on your gown; Your heart is burst, you have
lost half you soul” Here we glimpse Iago giving Brabantio ammunition that he is going to
need for his anger. Iago is also speaking to Brabantio as though these things have already
been completed.
(3.3) “my poison”
(3.3) “Burn like the mines of sulfur” = religious connotations as burning “mines of sulfur” are
used to describe hell so likens Iago to the devil
(4.1) “Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated” = Iago even goes to the
point as to orchestrate Desdemona’s murder. This highlights the complete control Iago has
over Othello at this point which he gained through his manipulation over time. This quote
also shows Iago’s desire to control every aspect of how this plan will unfold. Moreover, the
fact that Iago and Othello are ganging up against her to bring upon her downfall is
patriarchally problematic and shows the misogyny in the play and in Venetian society.
Important Iago quotes:
(1.3) “It is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets/He has done my office”
(2.1) “Wife for wife”
(1.3) “I hate the Moor”
