Act 1, Scene 2 Flashcards
Where does Iago meet Othello and what does the audience see?
On another Venetian street and the audience sees the target of Iago’s hate for the first time
What does Iago warn Othello about?
That his secret marriage to Desdemona has been discovered
Why is Othello summoned to see the Duke?
To discuss the situation in Cyprus
What happens when Brabantio enters?
He accuses Othello and decides to bring the case before the Duke
How does the audience see that Iago can adapt to suit any situation?
At the beginning of scene 2 he reverses his alliances - he calls Othello “sir” and threatens to attack Roderigo “Come,sir, I am for you”
How is Iago’s two-faced nature revealed?
He associates himself with “Janus”, a two-faced Roman god.
When is Iago’s hypocrisy shown?
When he criticises Brabantio for the “provoking terms” he used to talk about Othello and says he should have “yerked” (stabbed) Brabantio for it. This provides dramatic irony because Iago encouraged Brabantio - it’s clear that Iago causes conflict and can’t be trusted
Othello is described as proud and selfish (“loving his own pride and purposes”), but what is he revealed to actually be like?
aware (and proud) of the service he has done for Venice. He defends himself against Brabantio’s attacks on his reputation and believes he has a “perfect soul” ~ but is this hubris??
Othello is described as sexual (“lascivious”), but what is he revealed to actually be like?
in love with Desdemona - “I love the gentle Desdemona”. He doesn’t mention lust or his sexual desires
Othello is described as savage and uncivilised (“thing” “old black ram” and “devil”), but what is he revealed to actually be like?
controlled - he avoids violence, defusing the situation by saying “keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them”. His behaviour contradicts the racist slurs
Othello is described as immoral (a “foul thief” using “foul charms”), but what is he revealed to actually be like?
open about his actions - he says to Brabantio that he’s willing to “answer this your charge”
What is Othello’s language like and how does it contrast to the others?
Eloquent, even after Brabantio’s insults - he’s the first character to speak calmly in the play
What was a marriage of a black man and a white woman seen as in Elizabethan England?
Unnatural - people were expected to marry someone of the same race and class
Shakespeare explores this through Brabantio’s objections
What is Brabantio’s main objection?
Othello’s race - he uses racist language, describing Othello’s “sooty bottom”, and dehumanising him by calling him a “thing”
What does Brabantio’s rhyming couplet at the end of the scene emphasise?
His view that Othello’s marriage to Desdemona has turned rhetorical world upside-down: “Bondslaves” will become “statesmen”
