| “When I have plucked the rose, I cannot give it vital growth again.” | A: OthelloB: Othello is about to kill Desdemona.C: He is thinking about his action of killing her. Once he kills her, he cannot take it back. |
| “Cassio did top her. Ask thy husband else.” | A: OthelloB: Othello is talking to Emilia after killing Desdemona, explaining what Iago has told him.C: Othello is telling Emilia about Cassio and Desdemona’s supposed affair. Emilia does not understand why Othello would accuse Desdemona of this, as she is devoted to him. Emilia also cannot believe Othello has believed her husband. |
| “When devils will the blackest sins put on, They do suggest at first with heavenly shows…” | A: IagoB:Cassio has just exited, coming to Iago for advice concerning regaining his position working for Othello. Iago is talking to himself/ the audience. C: He explains that when devils are about to commit their biggest sins they put on their most heavenly faces, just like he is doing. |
| “Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. From this time forth I never will speak word.” | A: IagoB: Othello has found out about Iago’s plans, and has condemned him to torture.C: Iago says not to ask him anything, they know what they know, and he will never say another word. (Not even to pray.) |
| “I have done the state some service, and they know’t.” | A: OthelloB: After Othello finds out the truth, Lodovico has stripped Othello of his power and command.C: Othello states he has given Venice help in the past and they know it. Othello asks him to record these events and describe him exactly as he is. (Othello stabs himself after.) |
| “I warrant it grieves my husband as if the case were his.” | A: EmiliaB: Cassio has lost his position, Desdemona promises to help. Emilia expresses her husbands sadness for his situation.C: Emilia claims that her husband, Iago, is so upset you would think it was his problem. |
| “I must show out a flag and sign of love, Which is indeed but a sign.” | A: IagoB: Iago is speaking to Roderigo, explaining his hatred for Othello.C: Iago explains that he must appear to stay loyal to Othello even if it just an act. |
| “…with as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio.” | A: IagoB: Iago is speaking to himself about Cassio and Desdemona’s interactions.C: Iago explains that through Cassio’s kindness towards Desdemona he will be able to get him. Through this small action he will be able to bring down Cassio. |
| “But that I love the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhoused free condition put into circumscription and confine for the sea’s worth?” | A: OthelloB: Othello is speaking to Iago about his marriage to Desdemona and he deception of her father.C: Othello is not fearful. Othello explains that if he didn’t love Desdemona as much as he does, he would not have agreed to get married and lose his freedom. |
| “No, Iago; I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; And on the proof there is no more but this: Away at once with love or jealousy!” | A: OthelloB: Othello is speaking to Iago, Iago has revealed his suspicion of Desdemona and Cassio’s affair.C: Othello wish he knew nothing rather than not knowing for sure. Othello is mad of what Iago has accused Desdemona, he says he will not live a life of jealousy, and will not suspect her without evidence. |
| “Others there are who, trimm’d in forms and visages of duty…[throw] but shows of services on their lords…” | A: IagoB: Iago is speaking to Roderigo about his hatred for Othello.C: Iago explains he is serving Othello to take advantage of him, he is not looking to serve and be terminated, but he is looking out for himself. Iago explains he is the kind of man who pretends to serve to get rich and become a master themself once they have saved enough. |
| “O, beware, my lord of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on.” | A: IagoB: Iago is warning Othello about being jealous.C: Iago explains that jealousy is a green-eyed monster that makes fun of the victims it devours. |
| “I am glad I have found this napkin; this was her first remembrance from the Moor. My wayward husband ath a hundred times Wooed me to steal it.” | A: EmiliaB: Emilia finds Desdemona’s handkerchief that Iago has been asking her to get for himC: This ended up being the main evidence for Iago’s case, ultimately convincing Othello that Desdemona was cheating. This also was what foiled Iago’s plan in the very end. |
| “Why did I marry?” | A: OthelloB: Iago told Othello about Desdemona’s cheating and he was upset.C: This is ironic because he ended up killing her and being wifeless anyways; so he shouldn’t have gotten married. |
| “‘Tis not a year or two shows us a man. They are all but stomachs, and we all but food;” | A: EmiliaB: Desdemona and Emilia were talking after Othello got angry at Desdemona for losing the handkerchief.C: This is a metaphor comparing women to food; men use women until they don’t want them anymore, then get rid of them. This is also ironic because this ended up happening to both Emilia and Desdemona. |
| “…take up this mangled matter at the best. Men do their broken weapons rather use than their bare hands.” | A: DukeB: Othello tells his story of how Desdemona fell for him and the Duke speaks on Othello’s behalf.C: He is telling Brabantio to make the best of things and just accept the situation. He uses the weapons as a metaphor. |
| “And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets H’as done my office.” | A: IagoB: He is coming up with accusations for Othello and settles on the idea that he has slept with his wife and that he should get revenge for that.C: This is ironic because Iago doesn’t truly care for his wife, and ends up killing her at the end anyways. Also, he doesn’t have any proof whatsoever that Othello slept with Emilia. |
| “The jewels you have had from me to deliver Desdemona would half have corrupted a votaress” | A: RoderigoB: Roderigo is getting fed up with Iago because he has no money and gave so much to Desdemona, which Iago said she would pay back some.C: This showed Roderigo’s commitment to Desdemona. He payed enough that even a nun (votaress) would sleep with him. |
| “If I do die before, prithee shroud me in one of these same sheets.” | A: DesdemonaB: Desdemona is talking with Emilia before going to bed and tells her that if she were to die before her, to wrap her in her wedding sheets.C: This is foreshadowing Desdemona’s death, although she didn’t necessarily know at the time; she died on the sheets. |
| “The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem to be so.” | A: IagoB: Iago is talking about Othello’s traits.C: This trait of being too trusting and open ended up being Othello’s downfall. Iago also knows he can manipulate Othello because he will believe anything he says. |
| “I have drunk but one cup tonight, and that was craftily qualified too;… I am unfortunate in the infirmity and dare not fast my weakness with any more.” | A: CassioB: Cassio is refusing the wine that Iago is offering him because he is a lightweight.C: The fact that he ended up giving into the drink was what caused him to fight Roderigo and get him fired. This was the first step of Iago’s plan. |
| “Reputation is… most false imposition; oft got without merit and lost without deserving…” | A: IagoB: Iago is talking to Cassio after he got fired and tells him not to worry about his reputation.C: This is ironic because Iago, who didn’t deserve his good reputation in the least bit, is talking about how reputations are easily acquired without having to do much good and easily lost when there is no real reason for it. |
| “Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me for making him egregiously an ass and practicing upon his peace and quiet even to madness” | A: IagoB: Iago is talking about his motives behind the plan he has madeC: This shows how evil and completely terribly Iago actually is, and how he is always wanting the attention. It also shows how foolish Othello is. |
| “”I’ll watch him tame and talk him out of patience; his bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift; I’ll intermingle everything he does with Cassio’s suit” | A: DesdemonaB: Desdemona is talking to Cassio, promising him that she will have Othello give him his job backC: This completely innocent gesture by Desdemona, which was intended to help, only made things worse and made Othello jealous and caused him to hate Cassio even more. |
Othello Test Review
August 31, 2019