Act 1 scene 1

Question 1

in what setting does this scene open in

Answer 1

• Venice
• late at night outside Desdemona’s house

Question 2

Who are the fist conversations between?

Answer 2

• Roderigo and Iago
• Roderigo is giving Iago money to help Roderigo win over Desdemona

Question 3

How does Iago feel?

Answer 3

Angry- because Othello has put Cassio as lieutenant not Iago
- now he hates the moor

Question 4

what happens in the second part of Act 1

Answer 4

• Iago explains to Roderigo horrible things about Othello that he had manipulated Desdemona and he is a bewitcher.
• He shouts up at Brabantio explaining these things and warning him that his daughter Desdemona has run off and eloped with Othello

Question 5

what is Brabantio’s response to what is being told to him

Answer 5

• he is absolutely outraged
• he arranges a search party and Roderigo goes along

Question 6

does Iago keep his identity hidden in this scene?

Answer 6

yes

Question 7

What is the importance of this scene?

think about
- what does this scene first establish?
- how does the plot and main 2 characters relate?- what is the impact of this
- think about the importance of the setting

Answer 7

• establishes setting
• establishes initial conflict of the play
• establishes characters who will drive the plays action
• Begins in the wake of Desdemona and Othello’s elopement - creates strong forward momentum as characters react to this precipitating event.
• Othello is the dark skinned outsider and Desdemona is the desirable young venetian woman and these are both at the centre of the drama
• Setting- only in such a cosmopolitan city could a Moore risk such a marriage.
• Iago is characterized from the offset- a very resourceful villain (makes Roderigo do his dirty work, fools Othello into believing he’s the most honest and loyal follower. Iago insists he’s only leading people to follow their natural inclination.
• Iago’s method of villainy is revealed- he appeals do different people by feigning loyalty/framing himself as a trusted friend/confidant. He finds out what motivates people and leverages it for his own benefit e.g. commiserates with Roderigo’s outrage and envy by explaining that he too has also been wronged by Othello. And appeals to Brabantio’s paternalism and racial prejudice comparing Othello to animals and used crude language so Brabantio can visualize them having sex.