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| Question | Answer |
| “What, keep a week away?” | Bianca is a courtesan in Cyprus. When the audience first meet Bianca, she is feeling neglected by Cassio |
| “I must be circumstanc’d.” | Bianca has to make do with Cassio promising to see her “soon”. This shows the vulnerability of Bianca’s position as a courtesan. However, it could be argued that Desdemona and Emilia are also just as vulnerable in their relationships. |
| “I do attend here on the General;/ And think it no addition, nor my wish,/ To have him see me woman’d.” | Cassio asks Bianca to leave him as he is meeting with Othello. The fact that being seen with Bianca would make Cassio’s reputation worse highlights the taboo surrounding prostitutes and female sexuality. |
| “I marry her! What, a customer!” | It is clear here that Cassio does not return Bianca’s love, and only views her as a courtesan who works for him. He tells Iago that she has convinced herself that her love is returned through “her own love and flattery”. However, he does seem to pity Bianca, calling her a “poor caitiff”. |
| “This is some minx’s token, and I must take out the work?” | Bianca believes that Cassio is making her copy a handkerchief given to him by another lover. This shows her insecurity with Cassio, but also her genuine affections for him as she seems quite upset. |
| “My sweet Cassio! O Cassio, Cassio, Cassio!” | When Cassio is wounded, Bianca is terrified for him. Although she is a courtesan and is looked down upon and mistrusted by other characters, Bianca’s loyalty and devotion to Cassio is evident. |
| “Look you pale, mistress?” | Iago tries to make Bianca seem guilty for attempting to murder Cassio. Given Jacobean attitudes towards prostitutes, the other characters would probably have been quick to blame Bianca. |
| “O fie upon thee, strumpet!” | Even Emilia believes Iago and insults Bianca for being a courtesan. Unlike Emilia and Desdemona who are killed, the only consequences Bianca faces at the end of the play are being accused, insulted and having her heart broken by Cassio. However, she is left trapped in a society which refuses to value or accept her. |
| “I am no strumpet, but of life as honest/ as you that thus abuse me.” | Bianca tries to stand up to Iago’s accusations and Emilia’s slander. By presenting Bianca, a courtesan, as honest, could Shakespeare have been suggesting that women can’t be defined simply by chastity and social position? |
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