Othello- Key quotes/Themes Exam With Complete Solutions 2024

Othello- Key quotes/Themes Exam With Complete Solutions 2024"Enter Othello with a light. Desdemona in her bed (asleep)" - correct answer-Instantly sets up the power dynamic. Othello appears a hysterical hunter/detective while Desdemona is entirely passive and innocent. "It is the cause my soul!" - correct answer-Othello addresses his soul, common in the bible "I'll not shed her blood, Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow And smooth as monumental alabaster. Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men." - correct answer-White and snow connote purity and chastity. Shakespeare appears to depict Othello as the victim of a trap through his reluctance to murder her yet his belief that he must as a sacrifice/duty to humanity. Perceives himself almost as Jesus. Links to patriarchal control, characters as victims of societal attitudes which force them to behave in a certain way. However is this an attempt to conceal his own interest as the cause of his tragic fall is ultimately his own pride and jealousy. Shame in this? Monumental connotes funerals. "Put out the light, and then put out the light" - correct answer-In soliloquy, his desire for certainty reinforced. Her death will be absolute. The sacrifice must be set in stone and recognised, links to the idea of a sacrifice for society or alternatively a way of him salvaging his tarnished status in being supposedly cuckolded. "When I have plucked thy rose I cannot give it vital growth again, It must needs wither" - correct answer-As Othello prepares to kill Desdemona the idea becomes curiously intertwined, in his mind, with the idea of taking her virginity. He expresses his sorrow that he has to kill her in terms that suggest his reluctance to take her virginity. Double meaning of death and loss of virginity conveys the importance of chastity. Unplucked rose, has their marriage never been consummated? Suggests that Desdemona is spoilt by Cassio and now must wither as a direct result. Links to previous floral imagery used to describe Desdemona, concept of a deceitful femme fatale figure? His words imply that the real tragedy is the loss of her virginity, which would leave her spoiled. Ironically part of him seems to view her as still intact, like an alabaster statue or an unplucked rose. Furthermore, the reader may recall that the all-important handkerchief is dyed with the blood of dead virgins. The handkerchief's importance to Othello may suggest that he thinks it is better for a woman to die as a virgin than live as a wife. "balmy breath, that dost almost persuade Justice to break her sword!" - correct answer-Is he subconsciously aware of her purity. Links to previous ideas of the importance of reputation. Having people believe she's committed this act is worthy of death whether she has or not. Othello is nothing without his reputation then murders her solely in order to salvage this. Also links to previous