Othello Key Quotes AQA A Level English
Literature
An old black ram is tupping your white ewe - correct answer Iago uses crude, animalistic imagery to
infuriate Brabantio, and contrasts the races and ages of the two lovers to highlight Desdemona's purity
and innocence, compared to Othello, who seems like a lascivious old man. The verb tupping almost
seems violent, and so is perhaps used to give the audience a prejudiced view of Othello before they have
even seen him on stage.
But that I love the gentle Desdemona - correct answer Othello's soft language contrasts with his image
painted by the other characters. He juxtaposes love with war to highlight the two different parts of his
life: battle and his wife. As he describes Desdemona as 'gentle' this could be Shakespeare presenting
Othello as aware of their many differences.
She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them - correct answer It
could be argued that their relationship is based on pity, rather than genuine love. She is young,
particularly compared to Othello, but in addition to this, Shakespeare presents her as naive, and so when
Othello showed her attention, she became enamoured by him. She came to pity him and thus began
their romantic relationship. However, it could also be argued that their marriage is based on genuine and
lasting love, as the language they use towards one another is affectionate and faithful. But, as inevitably
their marriage breaks down because of Othello's jealousy, perhaps it is only based on pity.
I do perceive here a divided duty - correct answer Her 'duty' shows the position of women at the time:
obedient towards their fathers and husbands. Therefore because Othello has not been approved by her
father, her duty has been 'divided' and as she loves both of them, she is presented as unsure how to
please both of them.
That I did love the Moor to live with him - correct answer She standing up to her father and the court,
Shakespeare is presenting her as a strong character who has stood up o the patriarchal society. As she
speaks in iambic pentameter, this suggests that she is eloquent and well educated, contrasting her with
the other women of the play. However, even though she is well educated, she isn't knowledgeable about
the world and is presented as naive when it comes to knowledge of life.
I saw Othello's visage in his mind - correct answer Shows Othello's lack of self-confidence, and could be
used to suggest that the blackness of Othello's face is deceptive, and to truly know him, as Desdemona
does, one needs to look inside him. However it could also be argued that Desdemona doesn't truly know
him, as in the end he kills her and she can't believe he would be able to do such a thing.
, Othello Key Quotes AQA A Level English
Literature
Valiant parts - correct answer This is repeated by different characters throughout the play to describe
Othello. This shows that despite his race, he has a good reputation due to his military position.
Moth of peace - correct answer She portrays herself as useless while Othello's at war, as she is
connected with peace. However, moths were also seen as destructive creatures, and so this could be
seen as ironic foreshadowing of how she unknowingly destroys her marriage and ultimately gets killed.
Let her have your voice - correct answer Shakespeare presents Othello as thinking differently to the
society at the time, by seeing Desdemona as his equal, and trying to make sure she has a 'voice' of her
own.
Your son in law is far more fair than black - correct answer Fair here could mean morally right, unlike
Brabantio thinks, as he thinks Othello has only married Desdemona by using witchcraft or black magic.
This suggests that even though his skin is black, his conscience is fair.
Look to her Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: She has deceived her father, and may thee. - correct answer
Here, Brabantio is warning Othello, which shows that since his daughter has fallen in love with him he
doesn't trust her. However, Othello does trust her here, which is foreshadowing of the end because is
perceived to have been unfaithful and so he no longer trusts her, leading to her death. The rhyming
couplet emphasises the ominous feeling of the warning.
Virtue? A fig! - correct answer Iago is trying to explain that we decide our fate in life; it is under our
control. Figs have been associated with sexuality in literature since the early 16th century. (Williams)
They are used to represent the female genitals and so Iago here is juxtaposing virtue with sexuality,
emphasising his blasé attitudes towards faithfulness.
I hate the Moor - correct answer Repeated by Iago throughout the play, showing his strong feelings for
Othello. This contrasts with later in the play when homoerotic themes are explored and the two
characters are almost described as having a marriage ceremony.
That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you - correct answer Here marriage is associated with money
and what 'profit' can come to each party. This would have been the view at the time, but for Othello to
say it is unusual, as so far throughout the play Shakespeare has presented him as going against the idea
of the patriarchal society.
Literature
An old black ram is tupping your white ewe - correct answer Iago uses crude, animalistic imagery to
infuriate Brabantio, and contrasts the races and ages of the two lovers to highlight Desdemona's purity
and innocence, compared to Othello, who seems like a lascivious old man. The verb tupping almost
seems violent, and so is perhaps used to give the audience a prejudiced view of Othello before they have
even seen him on stage.
But that I love the gentle Desdemona - correct answer Othello's soft language contrasts with his image
painted by the other characters. He juxtaposes love with war to highlight the two different parts of his
life: battle and his wife. As he describes Desdemona as 'gentle' this could be Shakespeare presenting
Othello as aware of their many differences.
She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them - correct answer It
could be argued that their relationship is based on pity, rather than genuine love. She is young,
particularly compared to Othello, but in addition to this, Shakespeare presents her as naive, and so when
Othello showed her attention, she became enamoured by him. She came to pity him and thus began
their romantic relationship. However, it could also be argued that their marriage is based on genuine and
lasting love, as the language they use towards one another is affectionate and faithful. But, as inevitably
their marriage breaks down because of Othello's jealousy, perhaps it is only based on pity.
I do perceive here a divided duty - correct answer Her 'duty' shows the position of women at the time:
obedient towards their fathers and husbands. Therefore because Othello has not been approved by her
father, her duty has been 'divided' and as she loves both of them, she is presented as unsure how to
please both of them.
That I did love the Moor to live with him - correct answer She standing up to her father and the court,
Shakespeare is presenting her as a strong character who has stood up o the patriarchal society. As she
speaks in iambic pentameter, this suggests that she is eloquent and well educated, contrasting her with
the other women of the play. However, even though she is well educated, she isn't knowledgeable about
the world and is presented as naive when it comes to knowledge of life.
I saw Othello's visage in his mind - correct answer Shows Othello's lack of self-confidence, and could be
used to suggest that the blackness of Othello's face is deceptive, and to truly know him, as Desdemona
does, one needs to look inside him. However it could also be argued that Desdemona doesn't truly know
him, as in the end he kills her and she can't believe he would be able to do such a thing.
, Othello Key Quotes AQA A Level English
Literature
Valiant parts - correct answer This is repeated by different characters throughout the play to describe
Othello. This shows that despite his race, he has a good reputation due to his military position.
Moth of peace - correct answer She portrays herself as useless while Othello's at war, as she is
connected with peace. However, moths were also seen as destructive creatures, and so this could be
seen as ironic foreshadowing of how she unknowingly destroys her marriage and ultimately gets killed.
Let her have your voice - correct answer Shakespeare presents Othello as thinking differently to the
society at the time, by seeing Desdemona as his equal, and trying to make sure she has a 'voice' of her
own.
Your son in law is far more fair than black - correct answer Fair here could mean morally right, unlike
Brabantio thinks, as he thinks Othello has only married Desdemona by using witchcraft or black magic.
This suggests that even though his skin is black, his conscience is fair.
Look to her Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: She has deceived her father, and may thee. - correct answer
Here, Brabantio is warning Othello, which shows that since his daughter has fallen in love with him he
doesn't trust her. However, Othello does trust her here, which is foreshadowing of the end because is
perceived to have been unfaithful and so he no longer trusts her, leading to her death. The rhyming
couplet emphasises the ominous feeling of the warning.
Virtue? A fig! - correct answer Iago is trying to explain that we decide our fate in life; it is under our
control. Figs have been associated with sexuality in literature since the early 16th century. (Williams)
They are used to represent the female genitals and so Iago here is juxtaposing virtue with sexuality,
emphasising his blasé attitudes towards faithfulness.
I hate the Moor - correct answer Repeated by Iago throughout the play, showing his strong feelings for
Othello. This contrasts with later in the play when homoerotic themes are explored and the two
characters are almost described as having a marriage ceremony.
That profit's yet to come 'tween me and you - correct answer Here marriage is associated with money
and what 'profit' can come to each party. This would have been the view at the time, but for Othello to
say it is unusual, as so far throughout the play Shakespeare has presented him as going against the idea
of the patriarchal society.
