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3. How does Iago gain and maintain Roderigos trust in this scene?
Iago convinces Roderigo that he hates the Moor (since Roderigo is suspicious)
Iago confesses that he and Roderigo have a mutual enemy, despite their
individual motivations
In an attempt to reassure Roderigo that they are on the same side, Iago states, I
follow [Othello] to serve my turn upon him (1.1.42).
Iago decides to reveal Desdemonas rebellion to her father, Brabantio, in the
middle of the night (which suggests that he wants to betray Othello by revealing a
secret)
4. What theme does Iago develop in his speech to Roderigo (ending with I am not
what I am)? Find at least two pieces of evidence.
Deception/Appearance versus Reality
I follow him to serve my turn upon him (1.1.42)
Iago appears to serve Othello dutifully but only does so to avoid arousing
suspicion from Othello; Iago plans to betray Othello in order to achieve
his own goals (foreshadowing)
5. What imagery does Iago use to describe the elopement of Othello and
Desdemona? Why?
Poison/disease motif
o poison [Brabantios] delight (1.1.69) with news of the elopement
o plague [Brabantio] with flies (1.1.72)
o throw such chances of vexation (1.1.73)
Animal imagery
o now, very now, an old black ram / Is tupping your white ewe (1.1.89-90)
sexual imagery
o youll have / your daughter covered with a Barbary horse; youll / have
your nephews neigh to you (1.1.111-13).
o your daughter / and the Moor are now making the beast with two / backs
(1.1.116-18).
Hell/devil motif
o Arise, arise, / Awake the snorting citizens with the bell, / Or else the devil
will make a grandshire of you (1.1.90-92) Othello is given the name
devil (associated with evil and darkness)
An unwise leader (by Iago) Othello selected Michael Cassio, someone without
experience in battle, to be his lieutenant (not Iago, who has fought alongside
Othello) (1.1.20-27)
Disliked (by Roderigo) Roderigo wants to be Othellos hangman (1.1.34)
A dishonest man (by Iago) Called a thief by Iago (when notifying Brabantio
of Desdemonas betrayal) (1.1.80)
Lascivious (by Roderigo) desirous (as Moors were understood to be)
(1.1.126)
a foreigner (by Roderigo) therefore, undeserving of Desdemonas love
(1.1.136)
An unwanted son-in-law (by Brabantio) Brabantio appears shocked and
frustrated with his daughters choice of husband (1.1.160)
Othello is particularly vulnerable to their criticism because he is absent from the
scene and, therefore, cannot defend himself or rebuke their claims
Scene 2
1. Summarize the scene.
Iago presents himself as Othellos friend, willing to defend his honour, and eager
to keep Othello and Desdemona safe, now that they are married
Othello describes his love for Desdemona
Cassio arrives, searching for Othello, on behalf of the Duke (the Duke requests
Othellos help since there is pending news from Cyprus)
Brabantio arrives, searching for Othello, and accuses/insults Othello
Othello decides not to keep the Duke waiting; he will speak to Brabantio in front
of the Duke
3.
In what ways does Othello differ from our impression of him in the first scene?
He speaks eloquently
He is rational, patient, respectful, and civilized
He treats Brabantio with respect, despite Brabantios insults
5. How does Othello propose to resolve the conflict with Brabantio? What theme
does this develop?
Othello proposes to resolve his conflict with Brabantio peacefully, reasonably,
and with honour
Othello shows respect toward Brabantio (even though it is not reciprocated)
perhaps because Othello knows that this is his father-in-law (like family now)
Othello is willing to comply with Brabantios demands, even though they are
irrational (jail time?)
Branbantio = passions (emotional self); Othello = reason (logical)
Theme: Honor or Reason versus Passion
Scene 3
1. Summarize the scene.
The Duke and Venetian senators are trying to assess the power of the Turkish
fleet
Reports about their strength are contradictory; confusion about where the Turkish
fleets are headed (Cyprus or Rhodes)
A messenger from the Governor of Cyprus confirms that they are headed toward
Cyprus
Brabantio accuses Othello of seducing Desdemona and stealing her away
(Othello defends himself)
The Duke appoints Othello as the leader of the Venetian army against Turkey
Desdemona requests to accompany Othello on his journey to Cyprus
Iago encourages Roderigo to continue to pursue Desdemona
Iago reveals his plan to destroy Othello and Desdemona
2. Describe the impending crisis faced by the Duke and senators at the beginning of
scene 3. Why does the Duke so readily dismiss Brabantios suit against Othello?
Also, the Duke admires Othellos bravery and selects him as leader of the
Venetian army (he has faith that Othello will lead them well and to victory)
3. By what means has Othello seduced Desdemona according to: Brabantio?
Othello? Desdemona?
4. What has been Brabantios relationship with Othello up until Othellos marriage to
Brabantios daughter?
Loving, close Brabantio would invite Othello to tell stories of his battles
(1.1.127-32)
5. Quote three specific examples used to characterize Desdemona in this scene (by
her father, herself, or others). How do her actions seem to contradict this
characterization?
Brabantio: Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. / She has deceived her
father, and may thee (1.3.289-90).
Othello: My life upon her faith! (Othello swears upon Desdemonas faith; he is
willing to bet his life on her honesty believes she will not betray him)
Love: Iago used to be overly sensitive before; he also admits that it is foolish to
love Ere I would say I would drown / myself for the love of a guinea-hen, I
would change my humanity with a baboon (1.3.311-13)
Human Nature: reason should outweigh passion
o our bodies are gardens and our will/reason is the gardener. Without
reason to balance out unchecked passions/emotions/desires, one would
conduct themselves based on base desires
o If the balance of our lives had not / one scale of reason to poise another
of sensuality / the blood and baseness of our natures would conduct us
(1.3.323-25).
8. What is Iagos plan as the scene ends? What new motivation does he supply for
it?
Plan
o
o
o
Motivation
o There is an unconfirmed rumour that Othello has slept with Emilia I
hate the Moor, / And it is thought abroad that twixt my sheets / Hes done
my office (1.3.379-81).
Act 2 Questions
Scene 1
1. Summarize the scene.
Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio; he asks Roderigo to
pick a fight with Cassio because Cassio has a bad temper; this will hopefully
demotes Cassio and promote Iago to Lieutenant
3. Why does Shakespeare move the action of his play from Venice to Cyprus?
Venice = order
Cyprus = chaos
Therefore, the move signifies that there is impending doom; danger to come
Plans to deceive and use Cassio to his advantage With as little a web as this
will I ensnare as / great a fly as Cassio (2.1.164-65).
Iago will devise a web of lies wherein he will entangle Cassio
Shows concern for Othello prays that Othello arrives safely (2.1.44-45)
Praising Desdemona; shows respect for Othello but also Desdemona (women)
2.1.61-65, 2.1.83-86)
Flirtatious extends affection/courtesies to both Desdemona and Emilia (2.1.9699)
When speaking with Emilia: Iago insults her (shes a nag, she acts passively in
public, she is a hussy) 2.1.108-11 this reveals he has a negative
perception of women, he disrespects them, especially his wife, he has no regard
for her and how he treats her in public)
7. What happens during the meeting between Roderigo and Iago at the end of
scene 1?
Scene 2
1. Summarize the scene.
Scene 3
1. Summarize the scene.
2. How does Iago bring about Cassios dismissal? How does he manipulate Cassio
after his dismissal?
Get him drunk! Cassio does not handle alcohol well but he is peer pressured into
drinking (2.3.29-30); Iago also ensures that there are spectators (citizens of
Cyprus drinking too)
Begins to spread rumours/raise suspicion that Cassio is untrustworthy; makes
Cassio seem like an irresponsible drunk (2.3.112-14)
When Othello questions how the fight between Cassio and Roderigo began, Iago
claims to know nothing (does not defend anyone); when he does reveal what he
knows, he claims that Cassio chased a man with a sword who had insulted him
(does not name Roderigo perhaps to distance himself from the situation)
Othello trusts honest Iago when Iago details the events of the night
Instigates a (public) fight with Cassio; he rings the bell to signal mutiny
4. Quote the line of Othellos that develops the theme of reason vs. passion, and
foreshadows further problems to come.
Othello: My blood begins my safer guides to rule, / And passion, having my best
judgment collied, / Assays to lead the way foreshadows that Othello will let
reason rule, although his emotions/passions attempt to do so
Iago: men in rage strike those what wish them best (2.3.227)
foreshadowing
6. How does Shakespeare develop the theme of appearance vs. reality in Act 2?