World Civ.

II/Hansen
David Plotnick
11/29/2010
Iago’s Bestiary

Act, Scene, Line Animals, Birds, Insects, Explain the Symbolism

of Quote Other Creatures
Mentioned by Iago
1.1.71 “Daws to peck at”
Iago’s heart
1. 1.1.50 “That, doting on his own
obiquious bondage, wears
out his time, muchlike his
masters ass.
2 1.1.75 “And though he in a fertile
climate dwell, Plague him
with flies.”
3 1.1.97 “Even now, now, very now,
an old black ram is tupping
your white ewe.”
4 1.1.125 “..you’ll have your daughter
covered with a Barbary
horse.”
5 1.3.445 “and will as tenderaly be led
by th’nose as asses are.”
Daws are a type of birds. This language creates image of
crow picking at carcass of animal. Iago is saying he will
not allow his thoughts and emotions to be viewed and
criticized by others – picked at like birds picking at a
carcass.
Iago talks about an ass, as in oack animals such as
donkeys and mules. He speaks of old and tired animals,
that usually are killed or disposed if not useful. Iago is
saying, like pake animals that follow, those who folloow
all of their lives, will eventually be killed, or disopsed;
unuseful.
Flies are insects that fly around, in swarms, with a
particualry annoying buzzing sound. Flies come usually
with a connatation of trash and stinky smells, run-down
places, etc. In this quote, Iago talks about Barbantio to
tell him about his daughters wedding. Though, he usually
lives in a wealthy house, where nothing bad is said about
him, spread the disgusting news of Desdamona’s wed to
Othello.
An old black ram, has the connatation of being rough,
not very appealing. Black also has a racist undertone and
an evil connatation. An ewe is a female sheep. Usually
having the most use gving wool, milk, etc. White, with
its more desirable racist unertone, it has a connatation of
majestic, light, good. In this quote, Iago, talks of the old,
black, evil Othello, is with your daughter, the majestic,
beutiful, ewe, and you must stop it.
A Barbary horse is a horse, specifically from North
Africa. This quote depics a horse, an animal, taking a
woman. Iago is realting African Othello, to an African
animal, and that Barbantio should not allow his daughter
be with this dirty, african, slave animal.
Again, an ass, refers to the pack animals that follow their
masters and do whatever they tell them to, their whole
lives. Hs explains that Othello, thinks of men as open,
honest, and will do as told. They are his pack animals
and will listen to him and will do whatever he wants
them to
6 1.3.379 “Drown cats and blind Cats and blind puppies, both are innocent, and cannot
puppies.” swim. Iago shows that they are helpless and weak. He says
that drowning oneself, is not an “acceptable” way to go,
and people who drown, are synonomous with helpless
blind puppies and cats.
7 1.1.127 “you will have coursers for Coursers and jennets are types of horse. This quote depics
cousins, and jennets for an image of the damage to Barbantio’s family and his line
germans.” that they are all no better than animals.

8 1.3.391 “the food that to him now is Locusts are insects, that often travel in swarms and are
as locious as locusts” abundant.

9 1.3.357 “I would drown myself for the A guinea hen is a type of bird. It is specifically delicate,
love af a guinea hen,” and have connatation of feminism or female. Iago, is
saying that in no way would something like a guinea hen
would lead to me killing hisself.
10 1.3.358 “I would change my A baboon is a a monkey. It has a connatation with a fool,
humanity with a baboon. or someone that does stupid things. It is usually an insult
to call someone a baboon. Iago, says that in no way would
he kill himself over love. He would rather be a baboon.