OTHELLO Act one analysis and evaluation ACT 1

“OTHELLO” Act one analysis and evaluation

ACT 1 SCENE 1

Summary On a street in Venice, there is an argument between Roderigo, a nobleman, and Iago, an ancient (captain) in the defense forces. Roderigo, in love with the noble lady Desdemona, has paid large sums of money to Iago, on the understanding that Iago would give her gifts from him and praise him to her. Roderigo hopes to win Desdemona's love and marry her. However, they now have news that Desdemona has left the house of her father, Brabantio, a Senator, and eloped with Othello, a Moor (an African) who is a General in the defense forces. Roderigo fears he has lost both his lady and his money. Iago reveals to Roderigo that it is in his (Iago's) nature to plot and tell lies to get what he wants and that he has a plan. He hates Othello for promoting Cassio to the position of lieutenant, a position that Iago wanted for himself. Iago plans to bring about Othello's downfall, and Roderigo will have Desdemona. First, they must wake Brabantio and cause an outcry. They bang and shout until Brabantio comes out onto the balcony. Iago tells him in inflammatory words that Desdemona has run away with Othello, and Brabantio, enraged, joins Roderigo to wake the neighbors and organize a search party.

Things to focus on: ■ The deceitful and manipulative nature of Iago ■ The racism of Roderigo and Iago towards Othello ■ The cause and extent of Iago’s hatred, jealousy, resentment and bitterness towards Othello and Cassio

1. The deceitful and manipulative nature of Iago

“I follow him to serve my turn upon him” (41) “I am not what I am” (64) Emphasises Iago’s selfish and self-serving nature. He admits to Roderigo that he serves and obeys Othello only so that he can use him for his own gain and take advantage of him. He goes on to admit that he pretends to be dutiful and devoted to Othello, but he is actually only doing so in order to get rich and, therefore, be able to afford to be his own master and no longer have to serve anyone. He reveals that he keeps his true self, and his true motives, thoughts and feelings, well-hidden. He is able to manipulate and deceive Othello by adopting the façade of faithful and loyal servant in order to fulfil his own ambitions.

We can see that Iago has a very duplicitous nature and is able to adopt different personas in order to advance his own interests and achieve his goals. The nature of Iago’s character means that the audience will question the difference between appearance and reality from the very start of the play and throughout.

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue ■ Conflict

“though he in a fertile climate dwell, plague him with flies!” (69 -70) This emphasises Iago’s rebellious nature and how he delights in making trouble. He instigates and stagemanages a scenario where he and Roderigo pester Brabantio (Desdemona’s father) about her romance with Othello. They manipulate him into feeling concerned and alarmed about his daughter’s safety due to her relationship with Othello. As a result of Iago’s lies and manipulation, Brabantio’s opinion of Othello is irreparably damaged (which is what Iago intended).

In the scene with Brabantio, Iago betrays Othello and undermines him by using deceit and manipulation to turn Brabantio against him and thus sabotage and destroy his marriage to Desdemona before it has really begun.

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue ■ Conflict

2. The racism of Roderigo and Iago towards Othello

“the devil will make a grandsire of you” (90) Iago does everything he can to alarm Brabantio about his daughter’s relationship with Othello by playing on a variety of negative stereotypes and slurs about non-white people. Iago directly insinuates that Othello is satanic or connected to the Devil in some way, due to his race and heritage. By referring to Othello’s alleged bestiality, and supposed lustful and immoral behaviour, Iago is emphasising his lack of Christian values, principles and morals which, of course, are a result of his foreignness. Iago is also emphasising Othello’s lack of humanity and his natural inferiority as a result of being a Moor.

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue ■ Conflict

“you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse” (110) ■ When spreading lies and misconceptions about Othello, Iago reflects the racial stereotypes of the time. ■ He describes him as a cunning sexual predator and nothing more than an immoral, lustful, animalistic and inhuman beast who will defile and corrupt Desdemona’s purity and innocence. ■ Iago deliberately and repeatedly refers to Othello’s North African heritage to reinforce his outsider status and his “otherness”, making him a figure who should be feared and not trusted due to his race.

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue ■ Conflict ■ Metaphor

3. Iago’s hatred, jealousy and resentment towards Othello and Cassio

“nor the division of a battle knows more than a spinster” (24 -25) ■ Iago resents Cassio being appointed as Othello’s lieutenant as he feels that Cassio is inexperienced and unknowledgeable about war and battle. He implies that all his knowledge about warfare comes from books and he has no experience on the battlefield. ■ Iago is certain that he is more deserving of the position as he is a veteran with plenty of experience in battle who has fought alongside Othello, his commanding officer, as his ensign. ■ Being overlooked for promotion provokes great anger, resentment and jealousy in Iago and provokes his quest for revenge against Cassio and Othello.

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue ■ Conflict

“Preferment goes by letter and affection, and not by old gradation” (37 -38) Iago believes that Othello promoted Cassio ahead of him because he prefers Cassio over him on a personal level and not because he is a superior and more knowledgeable soldier. He knows that Cassio and Othello are friends and that an element of nepotism has been involved in Cassio’s appointment. Iago believes that he has been treated unfairly by Othello and is more deserving of the position than Cassio who only gained the position due to favouritism. Iago feels that this is unjust and it fuels his anger, hatred, jealousy and resentment against both men. It feeds his desire for revenge.

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue ■ Conflict

Note on Iago From the beginning of Act 1, we see that Iago is clearly the antagonist of the play. The fact that he actively sets out to harm Othello and gain his revenge against him also suggests that he is capable of cruel acts and is possibly evil. This, then, also makes him the villain of the play. It can also be argued that Iago is a type of malcontent: he is clearly disaffected and dissatisfied by his life, particularly after being overlooked for promotion, and he also has a rebellious nature. It is, however, certain that Iago is a Machiavel. He is clearly a villainous and immoral character who is a skilled liar, schemer and manipulator and is able to disguise his true motives, thoughts and feelings from others to achieve his goals.

ACT 1 SCENE 2

Summary Iago warns Othello that there may be a legal attempt to break the marriage, but Othello knows his military worth to Venice and meets the Duke and Senators with confidence. Cassio has been sent to fetch him to an urgent meeting about the situation in Cyprus. Iago tells Cassio of Othello's marriage. Brabantio's party arrives; Brabantio threatens Othello with violence and accuses him of using sorcery to seduce Desdemona, his reasoning being that she would never marry Othello voluntarily. Brabantio calls for Othello's arrest and imprisonment but cedes precedence to the Duke's summons to the emergency meeting.

Things to focus on: ■ Our first impressions of Othello (as a man, soldier and husband) ■ The racism of Brabantio towards Othello ■ Iago’s deceit and duplicity

1. Our first impressions of Othello (as a man, soldier and husband)

Othello comes across as being a very calm, confident and assured man who is wellspoken and articulate. This is in stark contrast to the way in which he was portrayed by Iago and Roderigo as a barbaric, primitive, savage, lustful, beastly, demonic sub-human creature.

“My parts, my title and my perfect soul Shall manifest me rightly” (32 -33) When faced with Brabantio’s accusations and attempts to have him arrested, Othello reacts in a very calm, composed and dignified manner. He knows for certain that he has done nothing wrong and is willing to face the consequences of his marriage to Desdemona. Even though his reputation is under attack and he has made a powerful enemy in Brabantio, he bravely and nobly does not think of hiding or trying to escape. He is confident and secure in his own innocence.

Techniques used ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue

“My services which I have done the signiory Shall out-tongue his complaints” (18 -19) Othello seems unworried and untroubled by Brabantio’s accusations. This is partly because Othello is aware of his own importance in Venice as a loyal, brave, well-respected and successful general who has served his city valiantly. He knows that the city depends on him for his military knowledge and experience and that this will shield him, to some extent, from Brabantio’s attempts to have him arrested. (We can see this in lines 36 -45. The Duke sends Cassio to find Othello as his military acumen is needed regarding the Turkish invasion of Cyprus)

Techniques used ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue

2. The racism of Brabantio towards Othello

“Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her!” (66) Brabantio implies that Othello has an evil nature and that he has cast a spell on Desdemona. He refuses to believe that his daughter would willingly reject all the other (white) suitors in Venice in favour of a black man. He implies that it would be impossible to love a man such as Othello and that he should be treated with fear and suspicion. The only explanation for Desdemona agreeing to marriage is that Othello must have used magic of some sort to bewitch her. He accuses Othello of drugging or tricking his daughter into falling in love with him and implies that he has kidnapped her and is holding her against her will. N. B. Brabantio accuses Othello of “stealing” his daughter away from him, thus emphasising how he sees Desdemona as being a possession that he owns.

By accusing Othello of using spells to bewitch Desdemona, Brabantio reflects English stereotypes of black people as knowing the Satanic arts of magic and, therefore, being Unchristian and less civilised.

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue ■ Conflict

3. Iago’s deceit and duplicity

“ Nine or ten times I had thought t’have jerked him here under the ribs”(5) Here, Iago continues to skilfully misrepresent himself to Othello by adopting the façade of his loyal, faithful and trustworthy friend. He claims to Othello that he could have killed Roderigo for the way in which he slandered him to Brabantio while concealing the fact that he was the one encouraging Roderigo to insult him in such a despicable and vile manner.

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue

“But I pray you, sir, Are you fast married? ”(10 -11) Here, Iago again shows himself to be a very skilled actor and is completely convincing in presenting himself as Othello’s loyal, faithful and trustworthy friend. He gives the impression that he is concerned about the welfare and security of Othello’s marriage as he knows that Brabantio, a powerful and influential man in Venice, is coming to either have the marriage annulled or else ensure that Othello is severely punished for marrying Desdemona without his consent. He successfully hides the truth from Othello: that it was he who provoked Brabantio’s anger and indignation and that he is actively trying to ruin his marriage to Desdemona before it has really begun.

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue

ACT 1 SCENE 3

Summary Several reports have come in from Cyprus, all calling attention to a Turkish fleet that is expected to attack. The reports differ in the size of the fleet, but all speak of the danger as the combined force has turned back toward Cyprus. Othello enters the meeting with Cassio, Brabantio, Iago, and others, and the Duke immediately appoints Othello to lead the forces to defend Cyprus. At this point, the Duke notices Brabantio, who believes that his daughter has been corrupted with magic potions because, according to him, she wound never willingly marry such a man as she did. Initially, the Duke promises him support in a prosecution for witchcraft, a capital crime, against the man who has seduced his daughter, but when the Duke realizes the seducer is Othello, he calls on the general to defend himself.

Othello describes his courtship of Desdemona in a dignified and persuasive speech (76 -93 and 127 -169) and asks the Duke to send for Desdemona so that she may speak. Iago leads the group that goes to fetch her. When Othello finishes speaking, the Duke declares in favor of Othello: "I think this tale would win my daughter too" (170). Desdemona then speaks, gently outlining an argument so strong that it finishes the whole debate: She owes obedience and thanks to her father for her upbringing, but now that she is married, her loyalty is to her husband, just as her mother's loyalty was to Brabantio. Fathers must give way to husbands. Othello must go immediately to Cyprus to command its defense, and Desdemona requests to go as well. The Duke grants her wish, and Othello, who must leave that night, delegates Iago to follow later in another ship, bringing Desdemona and whatever else is needed. Iago's wife, Emilia, will look after Desdemona as her maid. As Othello leaves. Brabantio warns Othello, "She has deceived her father, and may thee"

Iago and Roderigo are left on stage. Roderigo is downcast and talks of drowning himself. Iago replies with scorn that such misery is silliness and convinces Roderigo to Cyprus and wait for Desdemona to come to him, as she will surely soon become bored with Othello. Iago, because he hates Othello, says he will help Roderigo have Desdemona and reminds Roderigo to bring plenty of money. Iago, alone on stage, considers the situation: He has consolidated his source of money, and he has heard a rumor that Othello has had sex with his wife, Emilia. Although he does not believe the rumor, he will act as though he does to feed his hatred. Also Iago will aim to get Cassio's position of lieutenant, which he thinks should have come to him.

Things to focus on: ■ How Othello and Desdemona describe and defend their relationship. ■ Our first impressions of Desdemona ■ Othello’s view of himself ■ The racism directed towards Othello ■ Iago’s scheming and his motivations

1. Othello and Desdemona’s defence of their relationship

“And with a greedy ear devour up my discourse” (151 -152) Othello describes how he used to be friends with Brabantio and how he would be invited into Brabantio’s home to speak about his exotic heritage, his exciting and adventurous life, about the battles he had fought and about the fascinating places he had visited. According to Othello, Desdemona fell in love with him due to the stories that he tells and because of the exciting and adventurous things that he has done. He believes that Desdemona is fascinated by him and his life and that this fascination is what makes her love him and desire him. According to Othello, Desdemona loved him for the dangers he’d survived in his life; and he loved her for admiring him.

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Monologue ■ Key scene

“she wished that heaven had made her such a man” (165 -166) According to Othello, Desdemona wished that God had created a man like him who she could cherish and love as a husband. Othello believed that his life was so inspiring to Desdemona that she wished to love him so that she could be part of his adventures. Othello believes that as long as his life is full of danger and adventure then Desdemona will admire him for being a hero. As long as she admires him she will love him. Othello loves Desdemona because she makes him feel wonderful about himself and she gives his life meaning. Desdemona loves Othello because she admires him and he

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Monologue ■ Key scene

NB Othello confidently and assertively defends his marriage to Desdemona, safe in the knowledge that his new wife is happy and in love with him. He knows that Desdemona will corroborate his version of events and that Brabantio’s accusations of witchcraft/magic will be proven false.

“I may profess due to the Moor my lord” (189 -190) Desdemona informs Brabantio that she is torn between being a dutiful daughter and an obedient wife, but that she must now devote herself to Othello in the same way that her mother devoted herself to him. By marrying Othello, she has rejected her old life and will no longer be subject to her father’s authority; instead, her new obligation lies with being a good and dutiful wife to Othello is now her “Lord” and she has bestowed everything on him: her freedom, her love and her future. N. B. Later, in lines 247 -249, Desdemona reveals that she is marrying Othello because of his bravery and his honour and that she wants to live with him to experience the life of a soldier.

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue

2. Our first impressions of Desdemona

“Upon this hint I spake” (165) According to Othello, Desdemona was very forward and assertive during the time that he spent recounting his adventures and that it was she who instigated the romance between them. Indeed, Othello seems to suggest that Desdemona essentially told him that he would win her love if he told her the exciting stories of his life. At this time, it would have been very unusual for a woman to choose her own husband in this manner and to behave in such a confident manner during courtship, essentially taking control.

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue

“Let me go with him” (165) Desdemona’s assertiveness is shown again her when she flatly refuses to stay with her father while Othello goes to Cyprus to fight the Turkish invasion. She demands the right to accompany Othello to Cyprus as she wants to be part of her husband’s military life and would be miserable without him. Again, Desdemona’s defiance of male authority in this scene shows that she can be confident and assertive. In this way, she subverts the Renaissance view of women as being submissive and obedient to men.

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue

NB In some ways, Desdemona subverts male authority. For example: ■ Her flirting with Othello ■ Her rejection of her father’s authority ■ She is willing to risk being disowned by her father to be with Othello ■ Her demand to follow Othello to Cyprus However, in some ways she also reinforces male authority. For example, ■ She speaks of transferring her obedience and duty from one Lord (her father) to another (Othello).

3. Othello’s view of himself

“Rude am I in my speech, And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace” (84 -85) Othello, in some ways, is quite self-deprecating. He claims that he might be awkward in his speech and is not much of a smooth-talker and he states that he doesn’t know much about the world apart from battles and warfare. However, when he recounts his wooing of Desdemona, he also shows a great deal of pride in his achievements and presents himself as being brave, noble, honourable and valiant and a kind of hero whom Desdemona found fascinating and irresistible.

Techniques ■ Characterisation ■ Dialogue

4. The racism directed towards Othello

“Your son-in-law is far more fair than black” (286) Although the Duke is impressed by Othello and is paying him a compliment here, he inadvertently reveals his own racism. The Duke is essentially suggesting that Othello is more white than black because he is good, decent and honest. In other words, he possesses the qualities of white people. During the Renaissance, the colour black was associated with sin, evil and darkness and these characteristics were applied to non-white people due to their skin colour.

Techniques ■ Dialogue

5. Iago’s scheming and his motivations

“my ancient. A man he is of honesty and trust” (278 -279) Iago has managed to convince Othello that he is a man of decency and honour and that he is trustworthy and truthful. Othello never questions Iago’s integrity and believes him to be faithful and loyal. Othello has complete faith in Iago and is willing to allow him to accompany Desdemona to Cyprus and keep her in good care. This is an example of dramatic irony: Othello says these words without knowing that Iago is scheming and manoeuvring to destroy his marriage to Desdemona. Othello eventually comes to realise Iago’s true nature, but only after it is too late.

Techniques ■ Dramatic irony ■ Dialogue

“I hate the Moor. And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets He’s done my office” (323 -325) Iago reveals that one of the main reasons why he detests Othello so much is that there is a widespread rumour that he has slept with his wife Emilia. Even though Iago has no proof of it, the suspicion is enough for him to want his revenge. Iago concocts his plan for revenge: he will use Cassio as an instrument in order to take his position and hurt Othello at the same time. He decides to manipulate Othello into thinking that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona. In this way, Iago will be able to destroy Othello’s marriage and his happiness.

Techniques ■ Soliloquy ■ Characterisation ■ Conflict