Act 1, Scene 1 Flashcards
How does this scene start?
Mid conversation - the audience has no idea what Iago and Roderigo ate talking about.
They discuss Othello in a crude critical way but never use his name which increases audience confusion.
The scene takes place at night, how is this significant?
Darkness links to a metaphorical difficulty in seeing - this becomes a theme in the play as the characters struggle to separate appearances with reality.
Why is the conflict in this seen significant?
As the tense atmosphere anticipates the disputes later in the play.
Shows that Iago is skilled in creating disorder and taking advantage of situations at the very beginning of the play.
How does Shakespeare present Iago as the antagonist in the play before we have even seen Othello?
Openly admits he is deceptive and selfish when saying ‘in following him, i follow but myself’
Language full of imagery of disease and poison - ‘plague him with flies’ ‘poison his delight’.
How does Iago present himself differently to what he really is?
He tells Roderigo - ‘i am not what i am’ this introduces his mysterious nature and unwillingness to share true thoughts.
How does Iago manipulate Brabantio?
He identifies his fears and preys upon them.
Repeats ‘thieves’ four times suggesting that Othello has stolen his daughter.
Uses bestial, sexual language to exaggerate the sinfulness of marriage.
What themes are apparent in Act 1 scene 1?
Jealousy.
Sexuality.
Honesty vs deception.
Racism.
How is the theme of jealousy apparent in this scene?
Iago jealous of Cassio’s new position as Othello’s lieutenant.
He questions Cassio’s abilities as a solider and challenges his masculinity by saying he has no knowledge of war.
‘Prattle without practice’ - alliteration emphasises his contempt.
How is the theme sexuality apparent in this scene?
Full of sexual imagery.
Iago says Desdemona and Othello are ‘The beast with two backs’.
Iagos reference to sex involves animal imagery - union seem crude + unnatural.
How is the them honesty vs deception apparent in this scene?
Iago says he will deceive Othello.
Desdemona and Othello deceive Brabantio by eloping.
Characters who seem honest capable of dishonesty.
How is the theme of racism apparent in this scene?
Characters use racist language to describe Othello.
Roderigo calls him ‘thick lips’.
Animal imagery presents Othello as an outsider and uncivilised.
‘devil’ ‘lascivious moor’ shows Othello is defined by his race unlike any white characters.
Who is present in this scene ?
Roderigo and iago
Then
Brabantio comes in
What is significant about being plunged into mid convo ?
Signicant events already occurred.
Setting
“Venice at night. A street”
First intro to othello
“Moorship”
Black
Racism
Outsider
Iago doing things for own benefit
“I follow him to serve my turn upon him”
“In following him, I follow by myself”
Deceit iago
“I am not what I am”
Iago racist about othellos appearnce
“Thick lips”
Desdemona is being stolen for brab
“Thieves, thieves”
Iago sexual imagery / animalistic
Now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe
Your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with 2 backs
Brabs status cane afford for people to find out / public scandal
“You are a senator”
Innocent des
Roderigo “your fair daughter”
Othello as a outsider / who wants des for sex
Roderigo “gross clasps of the lascivious moor”
Desdemona obeys father
“Your daughter… hath made a gross revolt”
Iago 2 faced/ deceit / forebodes dramatic irony
“I do hate him…yet, for necessity of life I must show out a flag and sign of love”
Brab thinks des and othello are unnatural
“O treason of the blood”
“Property of youth and maidhood May be abused?”
