Othello

quote a scene segment that involves the character.

Then tell what the action tells us about the character?

One each for: Othello Desdemona Iago

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Even now, now, very now, an old black ram

Is tupping your white ewe. Arise, arise;

Awake the snorting citizens with the bell,

Or else the devil will make a grandsire of you.

Arise I say! (Act 1)

Evil Iago is putting his plan into motion. He's using a little race baiting to get Desdemona's father angry. This shows how conniving Iago is. He has planned each step precisely. He knows how to bate Othello into defending himself and then perform his passive aggressive routine that he is so famous for.

"Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul

But I do love thee! And when I love thee not

Chaos is come again." (Act 3 sc. 3)

I think that this quote captures the essence of Othello. He sees things in extremes, black or white. Either he worships Desdemona or he loathes her, there is no in-between. That's why Iago was able to dupe him so easily.

"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 me

How to respect you; you are the lord of duty;

I am hitherto your daughter: but here's my husband,

And so much duty as my mother show'd

To you, preferring you before her father,

So much I challenge that I may profess

Due to the Moor my lord..." (Act 1 sc.3)

Desdemona has a soft way about her that can smooth any situation over, unless it involves a paranoid moor. Here she appeals to the sense of honour for both her father and the duke.