Act 1 Scene 1


Othello


As the play’s tragic hero, Othello enjoys an elevated status at the start of the drama. He is a general of the Venetian army and enjoys the respect and esteem of the state. Even Iago acknowledges his social superiority: ‘Another of his fathom they have none / To lead their business.’ Othello’s eventual downfall will seem all the more tragic in comparison to his initial privileged position.


Questions


1. At the start of the scene Roderigo says to Iago ‘thou…hast had my purse / As if the strings were thine’. What does this suggest to you about the relationship between the two characters?


2. What reason does Iago offer for his hatred of Othello? 3. How does Iago intend to behave around Othello? 4. How is Cassio depicted by Iago? Quote from the scene in your response.


5. Find a quotation from this scene that shows Roderigo wished to marry Desdemona himself.


6. Iago uses language to anger Brabantio. Find two examples of this and explain why they would contribute to Brabantio’s fury.


7. Why do you think Iago goes to the trouble of informing Brabantio about Othello and Desdemona’s elopement? Quote from the scene in your response.


8. (a) Make a list of all the derogatory (offensive) comments Iago and Roderigo make about Othello in this scene.


(b) What does this tell you about these two characters?


9. What evidence in this scene shows that Roderigo is a gull (a gullible fool)? 10. What is your impression of Brabantio from this scene?


11. Imagine you are Iago and you have just left Brabantio’s house. Write a diary entry describing the events of the night, your feelings about Roderigo, your thoughts about your missed promotion and your attitude towards Othello.


12. Do you agree that this scene is rich in dramatic tension? Explain your answer by referring to the text.


13


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