| Context | Iago made sure Cassio got drunk. Lost all good sense. Has a fight with Roderigo then Montano then loses his role as lieutenant. Told Cassio to go and speak to Desdemona. Iago is a master of manipulation. Cassio is going to make trouble for himself. Iago made sure that Othello was there to see Cassio drunk. So swift in demotion because he needs the Cyprus people to feel secure. People are already anxious because they do not fully believe that war is over. Iago tells Cassio to speak to Des because she will do anything to help |
| Key themes | JEALOUSY – catalyses conflict between Iago and Othello/Cassio. Also Iago uses jealousy to bring Othello down. Iago also makes use of other people’s virtues |
| “Good Michael” | Informal greating between Cass and Iago shows they are good friends. Start of conversation between Iago and Cassio. Make Cassio say something about Des that is less lady like. He can then use it against him to sever friendship. Cassio never says anything bad about her which shows how much of a good guy he is. |
| “Iago is most honest” | Dramatic irony. We know he is being dishonest. Othello only sees an honest person |
| “Iago hath direction what to do” | Othello reminds us he thinks Iago is most honest. Shows trust in Iago that he can deal with tensions |
| Iago – “she is sport for jove”Cassio “most exqisiste lady” | Shows how decorous Cassio is |
| “I am unfortunate in the infirmity and dare not/task my weakness any more” | Cassio reveals how much of a problem holding his drink is to Iago |
| “He’ll be as full of quarrel and offence” | Iago now knows weakness and can easily manipulate Cassio. The fact that he also manages to get all the other men drunk means things will really get out of control. This causes a big fight |
| “If consequence do but approve my dream/ My boat sails freely, both with wind and steam” | If everything goes to plan Iago will be sorted and get revenge |
| Cassio – “For mine own part – no offence to the general, nor any/man of quality – I hope to be saved”Iago – “And so do I lieutenant”Cassio – “Ay, but by your leave, not before me; the lieutenant is to/ be saved before the ancient” | Shows minor conflict between Iago and Cas |
| Iago tells Monatno “He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar” | Iago accentuates qualities of Cassio to make it more crushing when he brings him down. Dramatic irony. |
| Montano – “But is it not often thus?””‘Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep:” | Even though Iago was nice to Cassio earlier, he will still use every opportunity to criticise him |
| “Perhaps he sees it not , or his good nature/ prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio” | Appearances vs reality. Iago uses Cassio being drunk to bring him down and also uses Othello for poor judgement |
| “Should hazard such a place as his own second/ with one of an ingraft infirmity” | If Iago says so it must be true. Shows how Iago is a true manipulator. People trust him so much that he would tell them anything. Also he doesn’t want Othello to find out from the others because Iago will be disovered as a snake. Reveal fact that he’s been out there spreading rumours. Iago hasn’t challenged Emilia or Othello about them sleeping together. Would you not challenge wife? Iago has taken rumour and decided it is true so he can fuel his plot. If it were true characters would speak up but don’t. Iago stays in shadows (first act with brabantz) but is good in front of Othello. |
| “Hold for your lives!” (fight scene) | Cassio wants to beat Othello. Strikes Roderigo. Montano tries to stop it. Cassio strikes Othello. Just as all this is happening Iago sends for Othello to catch them in the act. He is the one who has got them drunk in the first place. Of couse when Othello sees it he is angry |
| “Are we turn’d turks” | Have they turned into the enemies |
| “Silence that dreadul bell: it frights the isle/ from her propriety” | Cyprus people are in a state as it is. Don’t make it worse. |
| Iago – “Swords out and tilting one at other’s breasts/ in opposition bloody” | Iago lies because he started fight |
| “I pray you pardon me, I cannot speak.” | Cassio shocked |
| “And spend your rich opinion for the name/ Of a night- brawler? | Othello asks Cassio why risk reputation |
| “My blood begins my safer guides to rule” | Othello is getting angry because no one is telling the truth |
| “Though he had twinn’d with me, both at a birth/ shall lose me” | Relates to duke saying he will hunt down person who was with Desdemona. Then realised who it is then changes his mind |
| “Thou art no soldier” | Montano persuades Othello to do the right thing |
| “I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth/ than it should do offence to Michael Cassio | Iago lies about his loyalty to Cass. He’s already been spreading rumours. Whoever it is that’s run off must have said something terrible |
| “Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter” | Othello makes it less severe for his friend even though he wants him to be in the frame |
| “But never more be officer of mine” | Shown himself again, in the face of disaster. Othello shows sense and leadership skills. Even if Cassio is a good friend |
| “Iago, look with care about the town,/ and silence those whom this vile brawl distracted” | Trust is back with Iago after fight |
| “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my/ reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and/ what remains is bestial.” | Cassio is broken. Lost his rank in a public way. Was lieutenant. Everyone looked up to him and now its all gone. All that’s left is an empty shell. |
| “Reputation is an idle and most false/imposition, oft got without merit and lost without/ deserving” | Iago lies again. He wants the repuation . Referring to himself, no one has spotted his talents |
| “You have lost no reputation at all, unless you repute yourself such a loser” | Iago is saying you’re the only person who can make yourself feel like the loser. Well aware of how other people view him |
| “as one would beat his offenceless dog to affright an/ imperious lion. Sue to him again, and he’s yours” | Iago is saying Othello has taken away Cassio’s position because he has to. All he has to do is wait a little bit and he’ll get his job back |
| “Drunk! And speak parrot! And squabble/ swagger! Swear!” | Cassio regrets everything |
| “Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature,/ if it be well used” | Appearances vs reality. Iago has made good use of alcohol to get what he wants |
| “Our general’s wife is now the/general | Go to Desdemona for pity |
| “She is of so free, so kind, so apt, so/ blest a dispostion” | Des would do the most she could to help a friend. Iago using Desdemona’s qualities against her |
| “Good night honest Iago” | dramatic irony of Iago’s apparent honesty |
| “when devils will the blackest sins put on,/ They do suggest at first with heavenly shows/ as I do now” | Contrast of light and dark show contrast in personality of Des and Iago |
| “So I will turn her virtue into pitch” | Iago plans to again use someone’s qualities against them. Using generous nature to destroy Othello. |
| “My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress-“ | Encouraging his wife to cheat on him so his motivation to ruin other people’s lives will be justified/ going to get Amilia to have a word too. Will make sure. Plan A – get Eimlia to speak to Des. Plan B – get Cassio to speak to Desdemona and get caught in the act |
| “And bring him jump when he may Cassio find/ soliciting his wife” | Going to make sure Othello catches him in the act. After losing his job this will definitely be the final straw for Cassio |
| “Dull not device by coldness and delay” | Shows Iago’s duplicitous nature as he hopes to poison Othello’s mind. Appearances vs reality. Iago’s nature and also the fact that they are not having an affair |
| “And what’s he then that says I play the villain,/ When this advice is free I give, and honest, / Probal to thinking and indeed the course / to win the Moor again?” | How could Iago be the bad guy if he is giving genuine advice. Gloating, lucky. Sure of himself. Who would suspect him? |
| Th’inclining Desdemona to subdue/ in any honest suit” | Recognizes Des’s desire to help people. Iago is More than happy to pick on people |
| “She’s fram’d as fruitful/ as the free elements” | Des is naturally generous |
| “Even as her appetite shall play the god/ with his weak function” | Othello would do anything for Desdemona |
| “When devils will the blackest sins put on,/they do suggest at first with heavenly shows” | Contrast of heaven and hell. Normally devils give something attractive as a way of getting their own way. Telling us he’s evil |
| “I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear” | Illness . Saying while Cassio is speaking with Desdemona at the same time Iago is going to poison Othello’s mind |
| “That she repeals him for her body’s lust;” | Only reason Des wants Cassio back in the crowd is so she can have a relationship. Jealousy is going to be used . Iago wants to make him go so mad that he’ll lose all sense. The more Desdemona speaks up for Cassio the more Othello will get jealous |
| “And out of her goodness make the net/that shall enmesh them all” | Similar to spider’s web |
| “with no money at all,/and a little more wit, return again to Venice” | Roderigo’s money is gone. Beaten this even. Nothing to show for it |
| “How poor are they that have no patience!” | Have to make it work but it will take time |
Othello Act 2 Scene 3
July 9, 2019