The Moor of Venice

Examining your extract, decide what you think is particularly interesting.
In groups get together to explore the areas listed below:
 Woman and attitudes towards them (1,2,4a,5a,6,8,13)
 Race, culture and religion (3,7,9a,11a,12)
 Venice and Cyprus (4b,5b,9b,10,11b,14,15)
Collectively summarise what you have learned so far about the play and society of Europe during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Add any questions you have.

1. Roderigo, a gentleman of Venice (in love with Desdemona)
2. Iago,
Othello’s ensign (assistant)
3. Brabantio, a Senator, father of
Desdemona
4. Othello, a Moor, general in the service of Venice
5. Cassio, his lieutenant
6. Duke of Venice
7. Desdemona, daughter of Brabantio and wife of Othello
8. Montano, former govenor of Cyprus
9. Emilia, wife of Iago
10. Clown, servant of Othello
11. Bianca, mistress of Cassio
12. Lodivico, kinsman of Brabantio
13. Gratiano, brother of Brabantio
Senators, Gentlemen, Messenger,
Sailor, Herald, Musicians,
Officers, Soldiers, Attendants,
Servants

What clues are there as to the nature of the relationship between Roderigo and Iago in these lines?
What do we learn about Iago from line 42 “I follow him to serve my turn upon him”?
Examine Iago’s first speech “Despise me if I do not…his
Moorship’s ancient.”
Identify as many themes and issues as you can in Iago’s first speech, e.g. money as a preoccupation “I know my price”.
Try to connect words and phrases.

How can tone and emphasis alter the presentation of this passage and Iago’s character?
“We cannot all be masters.”
“We cannot all be masters.”
“We cannot all be masters.”
 Putting an emphasis on ‘masters’ strengthens the idea of Iago’s obsession with his poor status and his strong ambition.
 Following this speech, reflect on your view of Iago at this early stage of the play? Write a paragraph.

What do we learn about Iago up to line 42:
 Prone to jealousy (key theme of play)
 Deceptive
 Hates Othello and wants to take revenge on him
 ?

Identify all features of repetition in Iago’s speech line 40 –
65. What effect does each example create?
Group reading for meaning lines 66 – end of scene. As you read, try to be alert to one of 3 key themes, highlighting the text:
• Sexual language
• Honesty and deception
• Racism and animal imagery

What do you see?
What do you think?
What do you wonder?
Share!
Reflect
• How has watching a performance of this scene illuminated your understanding?
• What do Shakespeare’s decisions suggest about what he wanted to emphasize in this opening scene?

What do Shakespeare’s decisions suggest about what he wanted to emphasize in the opening scene?
1. Commentary on Act 1, Scene 1 Lines 81-138
2. How does Shakespeare’s use of language and dramatic techniques lead us to form divergent impressions of Iago and Othello? What has been revealed/ implied/ suggested so far? Use close textual analysis to support your views.