Act 1, Scene 1

Question 1

Where does the play open?

Answer 1

On the streets of Venice at night - there seems to be tension in the air

Question 2

Why has Roderigo paid Iago?

Answer 2

To help him win Desdemona’s love

Question 3

Why is Roderigo angry?

Answer 3

Because Desdemona has married Othello

Question 4

Why does Iago tell Roderigo that he’s angry at Othello?

Answer 4

He hates Othello for promoting Cassio to lieutenant ahead of him

Question 5

Who do Roderigo and Iago wake up to tell?

Answer 5

Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, and tell him about her secret marriage to Othello

Question 6

Why is Brabantio furious and where does he go?

Answer 6

When he discovers that she’s run away.
He goes with Roderigo to confront Othello

Question 7

What tone does the scene set?

Answer 7

Confusion and conflict for the rest of the play

Question 8

Why does scene 1 begin mid-conversation?

Answer 8

To set a tone of confusion and conflict for the rest of the play
The audience has no idea what Iago and Roderigo are talking about.
They discuss Othello in crude and critical terms but they never use his name, which increases the audience’s confusion

Question 9

Why does the action take place at night?

Answer 9

The sense of uncertainty is emphasised
Iago tells Roderigo to “Rouse” Brabantio from his sleep.
The darkness links to a metaphorical difficulty in seeing - this becomes a theme in the play as the characters struggle to separate appearances from reality

Question 10

Why is there a tense atmosphere?

Answer 10

In the opening lines, Iago and Roderigo appear argumentative, then Brabantio becomes angry.
This tense atmosphere anticipates the disputes later in the play. It also shows from the very beginning that Iago is skilled in creating disorder and taking advantage of situations

Question 11

What is an antagonist?

Answer 11

a character who provides opposition (Iago) to the protagonist (Othello)

Question 12

How does Shakespeare portray Iago, even before Othello appears on stage?

Answer 12

Deceptive and manipulative.
Revealed as the tragic villain and the play’s antagonist

Question 13

How does Iago openly admit that he’s deceptive and selfish?

Answer 13

He says “in following him, I follow but myself”

Question 14

What is the language Iago uses full of?

Answer 14

Imagery of disease and poison - phrases like “poison his delight” and “plague him with flies” suggest he has a darker purpose

Question 15

Why does Iago tell Roderigo “I am not what I am”

Answer 15

There’s an inconsistency between how he appears and what he’s really like.
This introduces Iago’s mysterious nature and his unwillingness to share his true thoughts

Question 16

Why does Iago help Roderigo to wake up Brabantio, then leave to maintain the appearance of loyalty to Othello?

Answer 16

“I must show out a flag and sign of love”
This suggests that Iago manipulates people from behind the scenes - he’s willing to use other people to maintain his reputation of being honest

Question 17

How does Iago use language to manipulate Brabantio?

Answer 17

He identifies Brabantio’s fears and preys on them. By repeating “thieves” four times he encourages Brabantio to feel that Othello has stolen his daughter, and he uses bestial, sexual language to exaggerate the sinfulness of the marriage

Question 18

How is the key theme of jealousy introduced in the scene?

Answer 18

Iago is jealous of Cassio’s new position as Othello’s lieutenant. He questions Cassio’s abilities as a soldier, and challenges his masculinity, by saying that he’s got no more knowledge of war than “a spinster”. The alliteration of “prattle without practice” emphasises his contempt

Question 19

How is the key theme of sexuality introduced in scene 1?

Answer 19

This scene is full of sexual language, eg Iago says Othello and Desdemona are “making the beast with two backs”.
Iago’s references to sex involve animal imagery - he makes their union seem crude and unnatural

Question 20

How is the key theme of honesty and deception introduced in the scene?

Answer 20

Iago says that he’s deceiving Othello, but Othello and Desdemona have also deceived Brabantio by eloping. Even the characters who seem honest are capable of dishonesty

Question 21

How is the key theme of racism introduced in the scene 1?

Answer 21

The characters use racist language to describe Othello. Roderigo calls him “the thick-lips”, and animalistic imagery presents Othello as different and uncivilised. He’s called a “devil” and a “lascivious Moor”, which shows how Othello is defined by his race, unlike the other, white, characters.