Othello Act II

You shall not write my praise Emilia to Iago: Iago is insulting women in general and specially Emilia. She is upset and says “you have nothing good to say about me”. This displays their sad relationship.
With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio Iago (aside): He is saying that the little acts, such as just now when Cassio took Desdemona’s hand because of his culture, is all he needs to accuse him of being with Desdemona.
Very nature will instruct her Iago to Roderigo: Iago is tells Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio, but by nature she will get bored of him and want to find someone else.
If she had been blessed, she would never have loved the Moor Iago to Roderigo: Roderigo tries to defend Desdemona that she is to moral to cheat on Othello and get bored of Cassio, but Iago retorts that if Desdemona was as moral as Iago said, she would have never fallen in love with Othello in the first place.
That Cassio loves her, I do well believe ‘t.That she loves him, ’tis apt and of great credit Iago (soliloquy): He is convincing himself in a fake tone that his lie is true. It is rational for Desdemona and Cassio to love each other. “Ya I believe it”
And nothing can or shall content my soulTill I am evened with him, wife for wife Iago (soliloquy): The real reason he set up this scheme is so Othello will feel he is not good enough for Desdemona. Eye for an eye=wife for a wife
‘Tis here, but yet confused.Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used Iago (soliloquy): I’m not sure exactly how this jumbled idea will play out.
I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking. I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment. Cassio to Iago: Cassio is telling Iago he does not want to drink because he has a low tolerance for alcohol. Iago will obviously use this weakness against him later.
Gentlemen, let’s look to our business. Do not think, gentlemen, I am drunk. Cassio to Iago and men: Cassio is telling the men he is not drunk, even though he is clearly drunk.
I pray you pardon me; I cannot speak. Cassio to Othello: Othello asks Cassio how this happened and he responds he is too drunk to speak.
If partially affined or leagued in officeThou dost deliver more or less than truthThou art no soldier. Montano to Iago: Montano knows Iago is friends with Cassio and he would lie for his sake, so he tells him that if he lies for Cassio, he is not a soldier.
Touch me not so near.I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouthThan it should do offence to Michael Cassio. Iago to Montano & Othello: Montano says don’t lie just because Cassio is your friend and Iago says, I could never say anything bad about Cassio. Meaning what I say might not be true because I won’t say anything bad about my friend, Cassio.
I know, Iago,Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love theeBut never more be officer of mine. Othello to Iago: I know that whatever Iago said was a “lighter version” of what Cassio actually did so I have to be harsher on Cassio. Iago’s too nice to say such bad things about his friend so he must have sugarcoated it.
Reputation, reputation, reputation! Oh, I have lost my reputation! Cassio to Iago: It’s always about reputation. Cassio doesn’t know what to do because his reputation is gone. He just lost his job, got drunk in front of everyone, and fought with Montano.
a punishment more in policy than in malice Iago to Cassio: Iago is assuring Cassio that Othello only punished him for policy-to show everyone that if you do something wrong you get punished. Othello still likes you but he has to show that he punishes when someone does something wrong.
O thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil! Cassio to Iago: Wine makes you do bad things.
Our general’s wife is now the general. Iago to Cassio: You should make your plea to Desdemona because we know that she has the real control. If Desdemona is on your side then she will convince Othello.
When this advice is free I give and honest, Iago’s Soliloquy: Iago is trying to justify his actions by saying that his advice is actually good advice and he really is being honest.
Divinity of hell! Iago’s Soliloquy: Iago is trying to justify himself by saying he is giving good advice. This argument is the kind that the devil would have.
So will I turn her virtue into pitchAnd out of her own goodness make the netThat shall enmesh them all. Iago’s Soliloquy: He is saying that he will use Desdemona’s kindness against all of them. Meaning, because Desdemona is so nice and loyal she will plead to Othello about Cassio, making it seem like Cassio and Desdemona are a thing.
Two things are to be done:My wife must move for Cassio to her mistress. Iago’s Soliloquy: He is saying that Emilia needs to talk to Desdemona and get her to talk to Cassio.
July 31, 2019