Othello imagery: blood

21 flashcards · Literature · by Will Knowland

1. O heaven! How got she out? O treason of the blood!

   Desdemona’s behaviour according to Brabantio

2. the bloody book of law You shall yourself read in the bitter letter

   What the Duke tells Brabantio he can read whoever has beguiled Desdemona

3. some mixtures powerful o'er the blood

   What Brabantio thinks Othello has used on Desdemona

4. as truly as to heaven I do confess the vices of my blood, So justly to your grave ears I'll present How I did thrive in this fair lady's love, And she in mine.

   Othello telling the Dukes he will be truthful

5. If the balance of our lives had not one scale of reason to poise another of sensuality, the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us to most preposterous conclusions

   What Iago tells Roderigo reason must continually fight against

6. It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will.

   Iago’s definition of love

7. the blood is made dull with the act of sport

   What does Iago think will make Desdemona tire of Othello?

8. Swords out, and tilting one at other's breast, In opposition bloody.

   Iago’s description of the brawl

9. Now, by heaven, My blood begins my safer guides to rule

   The brawl angers Othello

10. Dangerous conceits are, in their natures, poisons. Which at the first are scarce found to distaste, But with a little act upon the blood, Burn like the mines of Sulphur

    Iago uses the handkerchief to enrage Othello

11. my bloody thoughts, with violent pace, Shall ne'er look back

    Othello compares his thoughts to the current of the Pontic sea

12. O, blood, blood, blood!

    Othello’s reply when Iago tells him ‘yet be content’

13. Let him command, And to obey shall be in me remorse, What bloody business ever.

    Iago making his vow to Othello.

14. I will be found most cunning in my patience; But--dost thou hear?--most bloody.

    Othello warns Iago his revenge will be terrible

15. Is it his use? Or did the letters work upon his blood, And new-create this fault?

    Lodovico reacts to Othello’s striking Desdemona

16. Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted; Thy bed, lust-stain'd, shall with lust's blood be spotted

    Othello voices his intentions as he goes to Desdemona’s chamber

17. Kill men i' the dark!--Where be these bloody thieves?--

    What Iago says after stabbing Roderigo for wounding Cassio

18. These bloody accidents must excuse my manners

    Iago’s apology to Gratiano for asking whether he knew Roderigo

19. Yet I'll not shed her blood; Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow

    Othello strangles Desdemona

20. Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip? Some bloody passion shakes your very frame

    Desdemona senses Othello’s murderous intent

21. O bloody period!

    Lodovico’s exclamation after Othello stabs himself