Act 1 Scen 1

Question 1

‘Preferment goes by letter and affection’
Iago

Answer 1

-This is a reason to why Iago is angry at both Othello and Cassio.
-Cassio has risen through the ranks due to his friends writing letters of recommendation.
-Despite Iagos ‘graduation’ abilities

Question 2

‘I am not what I am’
Iago

Answer 2

-A link to a quote from the bible, In Exodus God is asked his name and replies with ‘I am what I am’. Iago says the same exact opposite, therefore alining himself with the devil.
-Iago is developer from an already established existing idea in theatrical culture ‘the devil is religious morality plays’, which was further developed into Elizabethan drama and tragedy defining the aspects of villain nature.

Question 3

‘I follow him to serve my turn upon him’
Iago

Answer 3

-Iago is explaining the reasoning as to why he pretends to be loyal to Othello, to betray him.

Question 4

‘An old black tan is topping at your white ewe.’
Iago

Answer 4

-Animal Imagery + theme of human condition
-‘Tupping’ is language used by sheep farmers.
-He’s stripping away Othello layers of civilisation, by demeaning him to an animal a position below humanity in the chain of being.
-Iago can use both high and low language, low language while employing the educated technique of a metaphor.

Question 5

‘The devil with make a grandsire of you’
Iago

Answer 5

-Theme of magic and demonology.
-He’s saying Brabantio will become a grandfather.
-In some traditions the ‘devil’ is depicted as black, giving Othello demonic status.

Question 6

‘Thou art a villain’
Brabantio

Answer 6

-He’s clearly stating Iagos role explicitly.
-But the audience will not catch on at this point as they will think he is a comedic character.