Othello Questions: Scene 1 Act 1
Question 1 : What does the language of the lines 1-7 reveal about the moods and
attitudes of Roderigo and Iago?
It reveals that Roderigo believes everything that Iago tells him, he is gullible. Iago tells
him not to worry and that he should believe him which shows us that Iago is very smart
when it comes to convincing different people. Iago is very believable, which at the
beginning of the scene makes us think he is a good person.
Question 3: Lines 74-81. Roderigo says he’ll “call aloud”. What is Iago’s advice
about how to do this and its implications? Why do you think Iago joins in?
Iago’s advice to Roderigo is to make the situation seem much worse than it actually is.
He tells Roderigo to make it sound like a frightening situation to make sure he gets a
reaction from Brabantio.
Iago joins in because Roderigo calls out to Brabantio he uses a respectful tone. “What ho,
Brabantio! Signor Brabantio, ho!” This also makes it sound like it is not something major
or something Brabantio would be worried about.
Question 4: Lines 82-118. What can you tell of Iago’s attitude and intentions from
the language and imagery he uses to describe the Moor and Brabantio’s daughter
and their activities? What responses to this situation does Brabantio show during
the passage?
During this passage, Shakespeare uses animal imagery. Iago uses « old black ram » talk
and « white ewe » Iago’s intentions, by using animal imagery it makes it sound like The
Moor is an animal and he may not treat Brabantio’s daughter with the respect he thinks
she desserves. The use of animal imagery can also give Brabantio a clear idea of what is
going on. (Othello and Desdemona having sex).
Brabantio is very shocked to what he is hearing and does not want to believe it. When
Roderigo admits that he is the one talking, Brabantio makes it clear that he thinks
Rodriego is trying to persuade him that he is the right man for Desdemona.
Question 7 : Lines 143-158.
*why might Shakespeare have decided to have Brabantio exit at this point?
*how does Iago’s explanation of his departure affect our view of him?
*what do we learn about the Moor here?
a) Shakespeare might have decided to have Brabantio exit to tell the audience what he is
going to do next when Brabantio goes to Othello and complains.
b) Iago’s explanation of his departure proves that he is very smart and thinks out his
plans carefully. He is also very sneaky in what he does and how he does it. He has to
leave because he can not have Othello know he was a part of Brabantio finding out about
Othello and Desdemona.
c) We learn that this situation and damage he’s caused, he could loose his reputation and
career.