Othello
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
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,
Desdemona’s father, with the news of his daughter’s
marriage.
 Brabantio is shocked and angered, he gathers his
people to go find Othello.
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.
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.
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 Roderigo’s anger becomes
focused on Othello instead of Iago.
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 people’s 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.
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
Duke’s 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 Duke’s and their
grievance will be best dealt with there.
Othello: Calm and Confident
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.
When Brabantio
approaches Othello
refuses to hide. He
tells him and his
men to lower their
weapons, Brabantio’s
age will get more
respect than his
weapons.
Though Brabantio
insults him and
accuses him of
witchcraft Othello
never loses his
temper, calmly
asking where he can
defend himself of the
charges.
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.
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
Othello’s best
interests at heart
when he tells him
that Brabantio is
looking for him.
•Othello is
convinced Iago is a
loyal servant.
Iago
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
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?
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 Iago’s 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.
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 Othello’s trusting nature. Iago
describes that Othello assumes people are
honest. This naivety will be used against
him as the play progresses.
 Shows Othello’s decent nature.
Desdemona and the Duke both praise his
virtuous nature.
Consider . . . .
Brabantio warns Othello that
Desdemona has betrayed her
father and may deceive her
husband as well.
Do we see here the seeds of
Othello’s future jealousy being
sown?
Iago in this scene
 Malicious and destructive: he uses
Roderigo for profit and plans to
destroy both Cassio and Othello.
 Expert schemer: Iago’s 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.
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 isn’t 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
Desdemona’s marriage he
threatens suicide.
Consider . . .
Othello promises the assembled senators
that he doesn’t want Desdemona to
accompany him because of sexual desire.
Rather he desires her companionship. He
also swears Desdemona’s 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.