''Run from her guardege'' refers to

Analyze the question

The quotation "Run from her guardage" comes from Shakespeare's Othello. The word "guardage" means guardianship or protection. The line is Brabantio's accusation against Othello in Act 1, Scene 2, when he confronts him over his daughter's disappearance:

"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, to incur a general mock, Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom Of such a thing as thou."

Explain the concept

"Guardage" is the care and protection of a guardian. In the play, Desdemona was under her father Brabantio's guardianship. When she secretly eloped with Othello, she left her father's house and care. Brabantio cannot believe she would do this willingly, so he claims Othello used witchcraft.

Solution

1. Identify the speaker: Brabantio, Desdemona's father.
2. Identify who "ran from guardage": the young woman who left her father's protection to marry Othello.
3. Check the options: • Emilia is Iago's wife and Desdemona's attendant, so she is not the one. • Bianca is Cassio's mistress or courtesan, with no father's guardianship issue here. • "Cassio's mistress" is also Bianca, so it is not the answer. • Desdemona is the one who eloped with Othello.

Answer: B. Desdemona

Exam tip

When you see an Othello quotation, first ask who is speaking and who is being spoken about. Brabantio's speeches in Act 1 are almost always about Desdemona and Othello's marriage. Also remember that options C and D in this question are the same person (Bianca), which should alert you that neither is likely to be correct.