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'Masters, play here': perhaps this is symbolic of Cassio's attempt at restoring the 'pegs' of music that Iago
has vowed to 'set down
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'To virtuous Desdemona/procure me some access': connotations of prostitution
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'I never a knew a Florentine more kind and honest': spoken words while on stage alone are indicative of the
true nature of the character; this shows that Cassio is positive (in contrast to Iago's negative portrayal
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The rapid scene changes between a focus on Cassio's personal pursuit to win back Othello's favour and
Othello's work place further blur the separation between private and public life
...
' In this sense,
even his closest family members are blind to his dishonesty; only the audience know what he is doing
...
'
• Her promise to 'perform it/to the last article' indicates the value that she attributes to friendship
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• Her interference in the affairs of the military indicates a personal attachment that is more than
professional
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Indicative of the simplicity of
his plan
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• 'Tomorrow night, or Tuesday morn
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• 'Mammering on': criticism of Othello inadvertently aids Iago's cause
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• 'Whate'er you be, I am obedient': foreshadows her later submission to cruel treatment
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This imbues a sense of suspicion in the play
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• Before asserting Desdemona's affair ('I am not bound to that all slaves are free to
...
')
Iago prey's on Othello's insecurity:
• Desdemona's deception ('she did deceive her father, loving you'; 'give out such a seeming')
• The racial gap ('she seemed to shake and fear your looks')
• Othello as an outsider ('I know our country disposition well')
Iago's pretence of a friendship with Cassio:
• 'Cassio's my worthy friend'

• 'I think you think I love you'
Iago's pretence of a friendship with Othello:
• Othello addresses him as 'thy friend'
• 'I humbly do beseech your pardon/for too much loving you
...
' Views
Desdemona as a half tamed, wild creature
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• Insecurities: 'I am black/and have not those soft parts of conversation/that chamberers have,' 'declined
into the vale of years
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' This conveys his anger
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• Jaunty rhyme scheme: 'perogatived' and 'unshunnable' are awkward words that do not fit within a regular
rhyme scheme
...
)
Relationship between Iago and Emilia:
• Hostile ('in faith, too much
...
e
...
')
'
...
'
• Othello's awareness of race and the stereotypes that come with it, i
...
black is bad and white is good
...
')
• Passionate ('blood, blood, blood')
• Emotional ('like to the Pontic sea')
• Angry ('bloody thoughts
...
revenge
...
Othello
focuses on the hand ('the hearts of old gave hands/but our new heraldy is hands, not hearts') whereas
Desdemona focuses on hearts ('that hand that gave away my heart
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This explains
Emilia's comment that 'my wayward husband hath a hundred times woo'd me to steal it (the handkerchief
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• Underlines that Cassio is not attracted to Desdemona, as he is having an affair with Bianca
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Cassio's courtly lover portrayal undermined:
• 'Pardon me Bianca,' 'sweet Bianca' (contrasts to how Desdemona is dressed as 'madam
...
)
• 'Go to, woman' (no name, reduced to 'woman
...
)



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