Act 2 Scene 1
Key areas for analysis:
•
•
•
•
Iago’s soliloquy
The Cyprus setting and the storm
Cassio
The role of women
Recapping events of Act 2 Scene 1
• The Turkish fleet is destroyed by the storm
• Cassio arrives in Cyprus, followed shortly after by Iago, Desdemona,
Emilia and Roderigo.
• Iago notices the little courtesy of Cassio taking Desdemona’s hand
(enough of a web to “ensnare as great a fly as Cassio”.)
• Othello arrives = speaks of his love for Desdemona.
• Iago convinces Roderigo to provoke Cassio into losing his temper later
that evening, in an attempt to force Othello to remove Cassio from his
position as lieutenant.
• Iago is left alone onstage at the end of the scene to offer further
insight into his motives and his desire for revenge on Othello, Cassio
and Desdemona.
Iago on the couch
Read Iago’s final soliloquy (267-exit). Then:
1) colour code for comments about Othello, Cassio and
Desdemona
1) Imagine Iago is being questioned by a psychiatrist
about his obsession with Othello and Cassio. Work out
what questions you would ask Iago and use lines from
the soliloquy to provide Iago’s answers. Annotate the
extract as your thoughts evolve. Improvise the scene.
Storms
See – Think – Question– Share
1. Watch the clip
2. Think about the symbolic
nature of storms
3. Suggest possibilities of
what this storm might
symbolise with reference
to the play
4. Ask questions of the
nature of the storm
presented
5. Feedback to class
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG
6FhK96dBg
Storms In Shakespeare
1. What is the
significance of the
storm in this scene?
2. Does the storm act
as a metaphor?
How?
Possible points:
– the storm is a symbol of unrest,
about to be seen in the play (the
trouble brewing for Othello,
Desdemona, etc.)
– The storm marks the end of the
peaceful part of the play, and is an
act of fate, marking the end of the
external threat (attack from the
Turks) and the internal threat (Iago)
– Might the storm represent Iago
himself and be a metaphor for his
violent desires?
– Iago, arrives to the Island first,
signifying that he will be in charge in
this Cyprus setting
– The storm mirrors the chaos of Act 1
Scene 1
– Consider, Cyprus is the birthplace of
Aphrodite
Cassio
aracters view him?
What is your
impression of Cassio?
Consider lines 60-100
particularly.
What does
Cassio say
that
creates this
impression?
Key points: Cassio
• Cassio has a very polished, courtly way of speaking, especially of ladies.
E.g he speaks of Desdemona...
– "excels the quirks of blazoning pens“
– "divine Desdemona"
• As Iago finds out later, he has no love for her, though much respect; so it is
with much irony that Cassio is charged as being Desdemona's lover
• Othello sees Cassio as a model Florentine, all poise and polish, which is
something Othello wants to be, but thinks he is not.
• Othello's insecurities mean that Cassio is promoted over Iago, but also lead
Othello to hold Cassio at a distance.
The Role of Women
• Contrast Iago’s and Cassio’s treatment of
women. Lines 83-174.
Analysis: Women
• Though Iago is married, he does not have as favorable
an impression of women as Cassio does.
• Women are "wildcats in your kitchens, saints in your
injuries, devils being offended“
• He even declares that they "rise to play, and go to bed to
work“
• Iago's perception of women as deceptive, dominating,
and lusty influences the way he portrays both Emilia and
Desdemona.
• Iago is able to convince other men that they are anything
but what they are.
Reflection and Homework
Reflection
• In differentiated groups
write a short poem, either
focusing on the
presentation of Cassio or
of the presentation of
women within this scene.
There is no requirement
for it to rhyme! Aim to
draw on words from the
play.
Homework
• Keeping Track questions
Act 1 Scene 3 (p48) and
Act 2 Scene 1 (p102)