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The Handkerchief
Othello is rife with animal metaphors. In particular, this language is used to describe Othello, the "Barbary horse," or the "beautiful creature" Desdemona. In each case, the animal language is connected to prejudice. Describing a person or group in animal terms is a way of defining that person or group as being less than human, something that deserves to be humiliated and controlled.
Animals Quotes in Othello
The Othello quotes below all refer to the symbol of Animals. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Act 1, scene 2
Quotes
"Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her!
For I'll refer me to all things of sense,
If she in chains of magic were not bound,
Whether a maid, so tender, fair, and happy,
So opposite to marriage that she shunned
The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,
Would ever have, t'incur a general mock,
Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
Of such a thing as thou—to fear, not to delight."
For I'll refer me to all things of sense,
If she in chains of magic were not bound,
Whether a maid, so tender, fair, and happy,
So opposite to marriage that she shunned
The wealthy curled darlings of our nation,
Would ever have, t'incur a general mock,
Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
Of such a thing as thou—to fear, not to delight."
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Act 1, scene 3
Quotes
"The Moor is of a free and open nature
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so;
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose
As asses are."
That thinks men honest that but seem to be so;
And will as tenderly be led by th' nose
As asses are."
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Act 2, scene 1
Quotes
"I'll [...] make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me
For making him egregiously an ass."
For making him egregiously an ass."
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Act 2, scene 3
Quotes
"Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial."
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Act 4, scene 1
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"A horned man's a monster and a beast."
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Animals Symbol Timeline in Othello
The timeline below shows where the symbol Animals appears in Othello. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 1, scene 1
...a "Barbary horse" (1.1.110), and adds that "your daughter and the Moor are making the beast with two backs"(1.1.118).
(full context)
Act 2, scene 3
...lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial" (2.3.251-3). Iago asks if Cassio knew who he was chasing after, but Cassio says that...
(full context)
