| Meaning: Iago is saying that Cassio is not as fit for the job as he is. He is mad at Othello for giving him this job.Significance: This is why Iago hates Othello. | “That never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows” Lago |
| Meaning: Iago is a lower rank than Othello.Significance: Another reason why Iago hates Othello. | “And I, bless the mark, his Moorship’s ancient.” Lago |
| Meaning: Iago is following Othello to take advantage over him.Significance: Shows how mischievous Iago is. Appearances can be deceiving. Dramatic irony. | “I follow him to serve my turn upon him.” Lago |
| Meaning: I may seem to love and obey him, but in fact, I’m just serving him to get what I want. Significance: Shows how mischievous Iago is. Appearances can be deceiving. Dramatic irony. | “In following him, I follow but myself. Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, But seeming so for my peculiar end.” Lago |
| Meaning: If he shows what he thinks he might as well wear his heart on his sleeve so that the birds can peck at it. He is not who he appears to be.Significance: Appearances can be deceiving | “But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For daws to peck at. I am not what I am.” Lago |
| Meaning: Shout out Othello’s marriage in the streets.Significance: Shows how mischievous Iago is. | “Proclaim him in the streets.” Lago |
| Meaning: Iago wants to ruin Othello’s happinessSignificance: Shows how mischievous Iago is. | “Though that his joy be joy, Yet throw such chances of vexation on’t As it may lose some color.” Lago |
| Meaning: An old black guy is having sex with your white daughter. Significance: Shows how rude Iago is | “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise! Lago |
| Meaning: Iago hates Othello, but has to show respect for his jobSignificance: Appearances can be deceiving | “Though I do hate him as I do hell Yet, for necessity of present life, I must show out a flag and sign of love-” Lago |
| Meaning: Shows Othello is confident in his rank.Significance: Shows Othello’s higher ranking | “My services which I have done the signiory Shall out-tongue his complaints.” Othello |
| Meaning: Brabantio is accusing Othello of casting a spell on DesdemonaSignificance: Shows Brabantio’s disbelief of Des.’s marriage | “…thou hast enchanted her!” Barbantio |
| Meaning: Brabantio is accusing Othello of witchcraft againSignificance: Shows Brabantio’s disbelief of Des.’s marriage | “That thou hast practiced on her with foul charms, Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals That weakens motion.” Barbantio |
| Meaning: Brabantio is accusing Othello of witchcraft againSignificance: Shows Brabantio’s disbelief of Des.’s marriage | “…a practicer Of arts inhibited and out of warrant-” Barbantio |
| Meaning: Othello has married her without witchcraftSignificance: Shows Othello did not use witchcraft | “It is most true; true I have married her.” Othello |
| Meaning: He won his daughter fairlySignificance: Shows Othello did not use witchcraft | “I will a round unvarnished tale deliver Of my whole course of love- what drugs, what charms.” Othello |
| Meaning: Brabantio doesn’t believe that Des. fell in love with a man that she would be afraid to look on.Significance: Shows Brabantio’s disbelief of Des.’s marriage | “To fall in love with what she feared to look on?” Barbantio |
| Meaning: Othello told them to go ask his daughter himself, and if he is lying, they can kill himSignificance: Shows Othello’s confidence in his marriage | “The trust, the office I do hold of you, Not only take away, but let your sentence even fall upon my life.” Othello |
| Meaning: She love him b/c he was heroic, and he loved her for loving himSignificance: Shows how Othello and Des. fell in love | “She swore, in faith, ’twas strange, ’twas passing strange, ‘Twas pitiful, ’twas wondrous pitiful.” Othello |
| Meaning: She wished she had a man like Othello, which she gotSignificance: Love | “…heaven had made her such a man.” Othello |
| Meaning: You’ll have to set aside your marriage celebrations to fight in the warSignificance: War | “You must therefore be content to slubber the gloss of your new fortunes with this more stubborn and boist’rous expedition.” Duke |
| Meaning: Othello trusts IagoSignificance: Appearances can be deceiving | “… A man he is of honesty and trust.” Othello |
| Meaning: Othello is a good guySignificance: High Ranking and respect (Othello) | “Your son-in-law is far more fair black.” Duke |
| Meaning: Desdemona is troubleSignificance: Foreshadowing | “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee.” Barbantio |
| Meaning: Iago is responding to Roderigo’s suicidal thoughts. We control what we doSignificance: Humans have free will. Foreshadowing | “Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners.” Lago |
| Meaning: He is going to take advantage and make money off of RoderigoSignificance: Appearances can be deceiving | “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse.” Lago |
| Meaning: He hates Othello, he heard a rumor that Othello slept with his wifeSignificance: Appearances can be deceiving | “I hate the Moor, and it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets ‘Has done my office.” Lago |
| Meaning: He is going to tell Othello rumors to break his relationshipSignificance: Appearances can be deceiving | “… to abuse Othello’s That he is too familiar with his wife.” Lago |
| Meaning: He has the idea, but needs time (hell and night) to work out the details of his plan (monstrous birth)Significance: Appearances can be deceiving. Jealousy can make a person act like a monster. Dramatic Irony. | “Hell and night Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.” Lago |
| Meaning: If he was the Moor he would not be Iago. He is not following O out of love or respect, he is following to take advantage of him. If he started showing this, he might as well be wearing his heart on his sleeve for the birds to peck at. It’s better to hide it, I am not who I appear to beSignificance: Appearances can be deceiving. The things people do out of jealousy. Foreshadowing. | “Were I the Moor I would not be Iago.In following him I follow but myself;Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty,But seeming so for my peculiar end.For when my outward action doth demonstrateThe native act and figure of my heartIn compliment extern, ’tis not long afterBut I will wear my heart upon my sleeveFor daws to peck at. I am not what I am. (I.i.57-65)” Lago |
| Meaning: This is not easy for me. You deserve my respect because you gave me life and education. I’m your daughter, and I have to be obedient. But here is my husband, whom I owe as much as my mother owed you. Just as she picked you over her own father. So I choose the Moor, my husband. Significance: Shows Desdemona’s loyalty to Othello | “My noble father,I do perceive here a divided duty.To you I am bound for life and education.My life and education both do learn meHow to respect you. You are the lord of my duty,I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband,And so much duty as my mother showedTo you, preferring you before her father,So much I challenge that I may professDue to the Moor my lord. (I.iii.179-188)” Desdemona |
Othello Notes and Quotes
July 11, 2019