Othello: Act One
Scene 1
The opening scene takes place in a street in Venice at night. ______________ and _______
arguing about ______________________. The scene has a mood of ______________ and
__________. Roderigo says “thou told’st me though didst _______________________________”.
Roderigo is displeased with Iago; he feels he has been cheated because a young Venetian
aristocrat, __________________, has married Othello the Moor without her father’s knowledge.
Roderigo has paid Iago to promote a marriage between himself and Desdemona. He feels Iago has
not worked hard enough on his behalf and is indignant that his money has been wasted. Iago
attempts to restore Roderigo’s faith in him by describing how much he hates ____________. He
explains that he hates him because __________________________________________________
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He describes Cassio saying he “never _______________________________________________ /
Nor the _____________________________________________ / _________________________
spinster”. Iago is determined to revenge himself on the Moor for ignoring his experience and
competence in favour of a man who, he says, has little practical experience of soldiering. He says
“I follow him _______________________________________________”. Iago explains he hates
a certain type of servant: _______________ ___________________________________ and
respects people who exploit their masters to line their own pockets. A quote to show this is
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Iago states “I am not what I am”. He means ___________________________________________
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Iago urges Roderigo to rouse _____________ (Desdemona’s father) from his bed to inform him
of the marriage. Brabantio appears at the window, annoyed at being disturbed. He recognises
Rodergio and castigates him for lurking outside his house; he has already told Roderigo that he is
not an acceptable match for Desdemona. As they call to him from the street, Iago uses
___________ and ___________ imagery to describe Othello and Desdemona having sex. He
describes Othello as “an old _________ _____”, “the _______”, “a ____________ horse”, and
warns Brabantio that he will have “nephews ________ ____ _______”
To begin with Brabantio refuses to believe their claims. He calls Iago a “___________ _______”.
Roderigo convinces Brabantio that it is true stating “If she be in her chamber or your house, / ___
_________ ___ _____ ___ _________ ___ ______ ______ / For thus deluding you”. Brabantio
mentions that he ____________ about what has happened.
Iago leaves explaining that it would be embarrassing to the Moor if his personal officer were
associated with these events. His other motivation is ____________________________________
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Brabantio asks Roderigo “what’s to come of my despised time / Is naught but bitterness”. He
means _________________________________________________. He describes their actions as
“treason of the blood”. He means ___________________________________. In his emotional
state it occurs to him that Desdemona may have been manipulated with _____________________.
1. Why is Brabantio so upset about Desdemona’s behaviour?
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2. This scene establishes Iago as a powerful and manipulative figure. How?
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3. Jealousy is an important theme in Othello. Which characters are jealous in this scene and
why?
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4. Loyalty and Betrayal is another important theme. Who is loyal in this scene? Who betrays?
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5. Desdemona deceives her father. Given Elizabethan expectations of women at this time, what
do her actions suggest about her character?
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Scene 2
The second scene opens halfway through another conversation. This one is between Iago and
__________. Iago claims that although he has killed men in war “I hold it ___________________
/ _________________________”. He tells Othello that ___________ has been insulting him.
When Iago warns Othello that ____________ is a popular figure who may use his influence to
have the marriage overturned, Othello is confident that his services to the _________ and his
_____________ will speak for him. He also emphasises his ________________ for Desdemona.
When Iago hears someone approaching he advises the general to go inside. Othello replies that he
“must ____ __________” and has nothing to be ashamed of. Cassio enters with a message from
the Duke who urgently needs Othello’s assistance. On the way to the Duke Othello is accosted by
Brabantio and his followers who are armed. Othello commands the men to “Keep up __________
_________________________________________ them” and responds with dignity to
Brabantio’s claims of evil enchantment. The senator urges his men to seize the “foul _________”
who has stolen his daughter. Othello offers to answer Brabantio’s accusations. They go to the
Duke’s.
1. What do we learn about Othello’s character in this scene?
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2. What do we learn about Iago’s character?
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Scene 3
In the council chamber the Duke and Venetia senators discuss conflicting reports about the
movement of the __________ fleet. After receiving further information from the commander in
Cyprus (M______) it seems clear that the Turks intend to attack that island. When Othello and
Brabantio enter, the Duke immediately tells Othello to prepare to go to war. He welcomes
Brabantio and tells him his presence has been sorely missed. Brabantio repeats his accusations
against Othello. The meeting to discuss military matters now becomes a trial of Othello. The Duke
asks Othello to respond to the charges against him. Othello asks that Desdemona be brought to the
chamber. In the interim he explains how he used to visit Brabantio and tell the stories of his life.
Desdemona “d_______” these stories. He says “She loved me ____________________________
/ _______________________________________________________”.
Desdemona’s polite but firm insistence that she owes her love and duty to her husband confirms
Othello’s version of their courtship. Desdemona was indeed “half _____ ________”. Brabantio is
bitterly disappointed and finds it impossible to accept Othello as a son-in-law despite the Duke’s
attempts to persuade him to make the best of things. The Duke returns to military business and
tells Othello to prepare to depart for __________. Desdemona asks to be allowed to accompany
her husband. Othello insists that her presence will not distract from ___________ affairs and
places his wife in ________ charge. Just before Othello leaves Brabantio warns him: “Look ____
_____________________ / She __________________________________ thee”.
Act one closes as it began with _______ and __________in conversation. Rodergio is despondent
and says that he will __________ himself since he can no longer hope to win _________. Iago is
impatient with this sort of foolish talk and persuades him that Desdemona will soon look
elsewhere for love because her feelings are “merely __________________ blood”. He argues that
the romance had a violent commencement and therefore cannot last. Roderigo is cheered by this
idea and agrees to come to ___________.
Once Roderigo has left Iago is alone on stage. He reveals his true motives. He is toying with
Roderigo “for ________________ profit”. He suspects Othello of cuckolding him: “It is thought
_____________________________ / He’s _________________”. Iago is determined to take
Cassio’s place and muses about the best way to achieve this. He decides he can easily abuse
Othello’s “__________ and ________” nature and will try to persuade him that Cassio is “too
_____________ with his wife”.
1. What is Othello and Desdemona’s love based on? What might be problematic about this?
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2. Othello reveals he knows little of peace. He is used to war. How might this affect his
relationship with Desdemona?
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3. List Iago’s motives for destroying Othello. Are they convincing? Why/why not?
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So far, do you have any questions about the plot/characters/themes?