Othello - Act Two

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Act Two, Scene One (pages 55-63) 

key quotations: 

{Desdemona} "But that our loves and comforts should increase / Even as our days do grow." Desdemona & Othello clearly have deep affection for each other in this scene, the reference to growing old together suggests that this is merely more than lust. 

analysis: 

The Cyprus setting & the storm: 

The principal characters are now isolated in the "warlike isle" of Cyprus, removed from the orderly social & political scene of Venice. The storm foreshadows the passions that will be unleashed in the new setting & we might also see it as being realted to Othello & his violent emotions. (Othello is assoicated with sea imagery throughout the play.) Or we may see the storm to represent Iago, whose violence it reflects. The storm disposes of the Turkish threat; the external threat of the Turkish is replaced by the internal threat of Iago.

The storm stops the soldiers from seeing clearly what is happening & they become full of fear enabling Shakespeare to mirror the confusion of Act One, Scene One. Montano's concern for Othello's safety indicates his respect for "the warlike Moor" and reinforces our esteem for him. 

The marriage of Othello & Desdemona is destroyed in the birthplace of the goddess of love, Aphrodite. 

 Iago the predator: 

A soliloquy by Iago closes the scene, we know the villian will triumph. The differences between Othello & Iago are clear: Othello's speeches are generous and joyful, while Iago is full of hatred and contempt for the Moor's "constant, loving, noble nature."

Personal & professional jealousy dominates Iago's soliloquy. His admission of "love" for Desdemona is intriguing, but Iago immediately redefines his

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