Othello Act 1 Flashcards
What happens in Act 1 Scene 1?
Iago and Roderigo discuss Othello:
- Roderigo has paid Iago to help him with Desdemona’s love. Roderigo’s angry because she’s married Othello.
- Iago tells Roderigo that he hates Othello for promoting Cassio to lieutenant ahead of him.
- They wake up Desdemona’s father Brabantio and tell him about her secret marriage to Othello.
- Brabantio is furious when he discovers that she’s run away. He goes with Roderigo to confront Othello.
What tone does this scene set?
This scene sets a tone of confusion and conflict for the rest of the play:
1} Scene 1 begins mid-conversation - 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.
2} The sense of uncertainty is emphasised as the action takes place at night.
3} There’s also lots of conflict - in the opening lines, Iago and Roderigo appear argumentative, then Brabantio becomes very 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 the situations.
How is Iago deceptive and manipulative?
Shakespeare suggests that Iago will be the play’s antagonist, even before Othello appears on stage:
1} He openly admits that he’s deceptive and selfish.
2} Iago tells Roderigo “I am not what i am”.
- there’s an inconsistency between how he appears and what he’s really like.
3} Iago helps Roderigo to wake Brabantio.
4} Iago uses language to manipulate Brabantio.
What key themes does this scene introduce?
- Jealously.
- Sexuality.
- Honesty and deception.
- Racism.
What happens in Act 1 Scene 2?
Brabantio accuses Othello of stealing his daughter.
- Iago warns Othello that his secret marriage to Desdemona has been discovered.
- Othello is summoned to ssee the Duke to discuss the situation in Cyprus.
- Brabanto enters and accuses Othello.
