Act 1, Scene 1 - Key Ideas

Question 1

What was the father’s role in marriage? What did this mean for daughters?

Answer 1

To arrange marriages built on politics or business

They could marry people they didn’t love

Question 2

How is gender inqeuality of women reflected? What does this empahsise?

Answer 2

Desdemona is “robb’d by thieves”

Women were men’s property

Question 3

What is missing about Othello from this scene? What is Iago doing instead?

Answer 3

His honour and status

Making racial slurs

Question 4

What do the audience become aware of around Othello and Desdemona? What will these do throughout the play?

Answer 4

Hostile conditions

Challenge them

Question 5

What does Iago’s chaotic deviance offer awareness of to the audience?

Answer 5

Tragedy

Question 6

What is the main element of conflict in Othello?

Answer 6

Iago’s resentment and cunning nature

Question 7

What 3 things shape Venetian society in the play?

Answer 7

Racism/Gender inequality and Society

Question 8

What ability does Iago present? What 2 things does he do? What does this behaviour suggest?

Answer 8

Psychological manipulation
Influences Roderigo to rile up Brabantio and incenses his racial prejudice
A bad ending

Question 9

Who does Iago’s nature set him up for? What does it encourage from the audience?

Answer 9

A tragic villain

Distaste