These quotes are directly taken from the play Othello and have been analysed. Prominent symbols have been highlighted. Examples have been included showing how to intersect direct quotes with analysis, this will help students with literature essay writing skills. Studying from quotes directly help g...
Act 2
Scene i Quotes:
“If that the Turkish fleet / be not enshelter’d and embay’d, they are drown’d.” (Montano) - Due to
bad weather the Turkish fleet has been separated. They assume that if the fleet has not found
shelter they are dead.
“That paragons description and wild fame; one that excels the quirks of blazoning pens.”
(Cassio) - Cassio describes Desedmona’s temperament and that she is rare and prized.
“That gives me this bold show of courtesy” (Cassio) - He affectionately greets Emilia, this is in
contrast to the way Iago treats his wife.
[Aside] “He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper. With as little a web as this will / I
ensnare as great a fly as Cassio.” (Iago) - Iago is describing how Cassio acts toward
Desdemona, this shows that he is trying to gain favour with her and therefore Othello. “Ensnare”
shows that Iago intends to use Desdemona to trap Cassio into being manipulated. “Very good;
well kissed! and excellent courtesy” - Shows that Iago knows Cassio’s actions are not romantic,
but he will manipulate it to appear that way.
“Men being in love have then a nobility.” (Iago) - Telling Roderigo that men who are in love are
noble and that “Desdemona is directly in love with” Cassio. He further convinces Roderigo that
Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair by asking him why Desdemona would “look on the
devil?” This again highlights the constant racist language used to describe Othello, possibly
insinuating that Desdemona would rather be with Cassio because of Othello’s race.
Iago tells Roderigo that Cassio is “handsome” and that many men will have “green minds”.
Green is associated with jealousy and this connotation shows that Iago is trying to paint
Desdemona as a temptress. And that she chose to purposefully “paddle with the palm of his
hand.”
“Cassio knows you not.” (Iago) - Convincing Roderigo that he must be the one to provoke
Cassio as he will not recognise Roderigo.
“But partly led to diet my revenge.” (Iago) - He plans to use Desdemona to get his revenge on
Othello.
“The lustful Moor hath leap’d into my seat.” (Iago) - Othello will fall into Iago’s trap. “Lustful
Moor” again shows Iago’s distaste for Othello.
“Wife for wife.” (Iago) - This implies that he will make Othello so jealous that logic will no longer
apply.
“Poor trash of Venice.” (Iago) - Othello is not a born Venetian and therefore Iago views him as
lesser than him.
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