William Shakespeare

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Othello

• William Shakespeare

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Act One Scene I Key Points

• Iago has told Roderigo, who hoped to marry
  Desdemona, of the marriage between Othello and
  Desdemona.
• Iago describes how he hates Othello because he
  gave Cassio a promotion instead of Iago. He plans
  to use his close connection to Othello to have
  his revenge.
• Iago encourages Roderigo to wake up Brabantio,
  Desdemonas father, with the news of his
  daughters marriage.
• Brabantio is shocked and angered, he gathers his
  people to go find Othello.

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Roderigo
Gullible He is easily manipulated and deceived.
Though Iago tells him openly that he is dishonest
and uses people, Roderigo never suspects that
Iago is deceiving or using him.
Hopeless Romantic He is hopelessly in love with
Desdemona and is devastated when he learns of her
marriage to Othello.
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Iago

• A junior officer in the army takes no pride in
  his position.
• A member of the lower classes feels his social
  status prevented his promotion.
• Is happy to use all those around him to achieve
  his own ends.

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Iago

• MALICIOUS AND DESCTRUCTIVE
• Hates Othello and wishes to destroy him.
• Maliciously encourages Roderigo to wake Brabantio
  up, knowing he will be enraged.
• He knows Brabantio is powerful and can make life
  difficult for Othello.

• EXPERT SCHEMER
• Convinced a wealthy nobleman to allow him
  unlimited access to his money. Clearly able to
  manipulate.
• Exceptionally persuasive convinces Roderigo
  that he hates Othello.
• All of Roderigos anger becomes focused on
  Othello instead of Iago.

• SELF-BELIEF
• Belives he deserves to be more than he is.
• Rather than just feel hard done by, he believes
  he will find a way to rise above his current
  position.
• He is not a humble and meek servant who will
  accept his lot in life.
• He will serve Othello only as long as it suits
  his own interests.

• NO RESPECT FOR MORALS
• No respect for the values that govern most
  peoples behaviour.
• He despises servants who remain loyal to their
  masters.
• He does not hold the duties of love and virtue in
  any regard but will pretend to be loving and
  dutiful it if helps achieve his goals.

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Act One Scene II Key Points

• Iago tells Othello that Roderigo has been saying
  nasty things about him and that Brabantio knows
  of his marriage.
• Othello says he has nothing to be ashamed of and
  his good name will ensure no harm will come to
  him.
• Cassio explains that Othello is urgently needed
  at the Dukes as a military situation is brewing
  in Cyprus.
• Brabantio finds Othello, wants to arrest him and
  accuses him of witchcraft to lure Desdemonda.
  Othello tells him he is going to the Dukes and
  their grievance will be best dealt with there.

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Othello Calm and Confident
When Brabantio approaches Othello refuses to
hide. He tells him and his men to lower their
weapons, Brabantios age will get more respect
than his weapons.
Despite being provoked, insulted and threatened
Othello remains calm and self-possessed at all
times.
Othello refuses to get wound up about Roderigo
and says Brabantio should do what he wishes if he
plans to make him suffer.
Though Brabantio insults him and accuses him of
witchcraft Othello never loses his temper, calmly
asking where he can defend himself of the charges.
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Othello Dignified and Proud

• He tells Iago that he descended from royalty,
  however, it is not something he wishes to boast
  about.
• He is proud of what he has achieved and is sure
  his actions will speak against any accusations.
• He is not the sort of person to run or hide when
  things get difficult. Iago tells him to hide from
  Brabantio but he refuses.
• He feels that his merits make him more than
  worthy of marriage to Desdemona.

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Iago

• An Excellent Actor
• In this scene we get to see Iago acting out his
  part as loyal and dutiful servant
• He tells Othello Roderigo has been insulting him
  and Iago was so maddened he nearly killed him.
• He acts as if he has Othellos best interests at
  heart when he tells him that Brabantio is looking
  for him.
• Othello is convinced Iago is a loyal servant.

• No Morals
• He presents himself as a moral person
• He claims to be outraged at Roderigo for
  insulting Othello.
• He says he could never commit premeditated
  murder.
• He says he is not wicked by nature I lack
  iniquity
• But this is all just an act

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What Do You Think?
Do you think the anger Brabantio feels and the
speech that he gives is justified given the way
his daughter has behaved?
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Act One Scene III Key Points

• The Duke and his senators discuss the crisis in
  Cyprus.
• Brabantio claims Othello has seduced his daughter
  with witchcraft and demands justice. Othello
  describes how Desdemona fell in love with him
  listening to the story of his life. Desdemona
  confirms this version of events.
• The Duke declares Othello will leave for Cyprus
  that night. Desdemona will accompany Othello
  there. Othello entrusts her to Iagos care.
• Roderigo threatens to kill himself now that he
  has lost Desdemona. However, Iago is determined
  to use him as a pawn and convinces him to sell
  all his land and accompany him to Cyprus.
• In a soliloquy Iago lays out a scheme to destroy
  Othello and Cassio. He will convince Othello that
  Cassio is having an affair with his wife.

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Othello in this scene

• Highlights his exotic origins. Desdemona is blown
  away by his tales.
• Establishes his military genius. He is a man of
  great bravery and genius.
• Displays calmness and dignity. He is falsely
  accused but calmly tells his side of the story.
• Reveals Othellos trusting nature. Iago describes
  that Othello assumes people are honest. This
  naivety will be used against him as the play
  progresses.
• Shows Othellos decent nature. Desdemona and the
  Duke both praise his virtuous nature.

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Consider . . . .
Brabantio warns Othello that Desdemona has
betrayed her father and may deceive her husband
as well. Do we see here the seeds of Othellos
future jealousy being sown?
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Iago in this scene

• Malicious and destructive he uses Roderigo for
  profit and plans to destroy both Cassio and
  Othello.
• Expert schemer Iagos plotting begins to take
  more shape. Keeps Roderigo onside to fund his
  schemes and plans to take out both his enemies
  with the one plan.
• Incredibly persuasive It is obvious Roderigo has
  no hope with Desdemona but Iago convinces him he
  does.

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Desdemona and Roderigo

• Brabantio describes his daughter as a quiet,
  gentle and timid girl. However, in
  
  
• this scene
  
• she comes
  across as strong-willed
  and assertive.
• She isnt afraid to speak her mind to her father,
  the Duke and assembled senators.

• Roderigo again highlights his own gullibility in
  this scene. Even though Iago has made clear
• that he is a
• malicious user,
• Roderigo still
• trusts him and agrees to sell all his land. He is
  a hopeless romantic who is so filled with despair
  at Desdemonas marriage he threatens suicide.

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Consider . . .
Othello promises the assembled senators that he
doesnt want Desdemona to accompany him because
of sexual desire. Rather he desires her
companionship. He also swears Desdemonas
presence will not distract him from his
duties. We will see as the play progresses just
how difficult Othello will find it to keep his
passions and emotions in check and his mind on
military matters.