Act One, Scene One
1.Thoughts on Othello
1.Thoughts on Othello
That he's a thief.
“Thieves, thieves, thieves! Look to your house, your daughter and
your bags! Thieves, thieves!”
We think of Othello as an evil man who has stolen Desdemona,
Brabanito’s daughter. They objectify Desdemona because they speak of her as if
she is a possession to own and to steal. At this point in the play, we do not
like Othello because he doesn’t sound like a nice character.
Taking advantage of Desdemona.
“an old black ram is tupping your white ewe!”
We think of Othello disgustingly taking advantage of Desdemona and
for the original audience of this play, we would have been shocked that a white
woman would be with a black man because of the highly racist views in society
in this time.
2. Why do we believe Iago?
He’s manipulative.
“nor all masters cannot be truly followed.”
At this point in the play we cannot see how cunning Iago is because Othello hasn't been introduced to the play yet so we can only go on what he's telling us and trust what he's saying. He even gets the audience to dislike Othello before he's even in the play.
3. Why does Brabantio react the way he does?
Because at the time the play was set, society was highly racist and Othello is black so Brabantio doesn't like the fact that he has 'stolen' his daughter.
4. What is 'wrong' with Michael Cassio?
He's handsome and Iago is jealous of him because he wants his job and he tries to pick out all of his flaws like the fact that he's "never set a squadron in the field". He's trying to highlight his imperfections so that he can feel better about himself.
5. Why/how is Iago the perfect Venetian man?
He's manipulative cunning and 'strong' which is what Venetian men are described like.
6. How doe Brabantio think Othello has won Desdemona?
Through witchcraft and the use of magic because he doesn't honestly believe that Desdemona could freely fall in love with him and find him attractive because he's black.
7. Is there anything in his words and actions that make us doubt Iago's honesty?
He's underhand and sneaky.
"Whether I in any just term am affined to the Moor"
This demonstrates how he's cunning because he's covering his back to Roderigo after he's just been telling him how much he hates Othello but realises that because of his job and friendship with him he will have to continue to act that way, especially for his plan to work, so he's telling Roderigo that he's only acting like he likes Othello because he has to.
3. Why does Brabantio react the way he does?
Because at the time the play was set, society was highly racist and Othello is black so Brabantio doesn't like the fact that he has 'stolen' his daughter.
4. What is 'wrong' with Michael Cassio?
He's handsome and Iago is jealous of him because he wants his job and he tries to pick out all of his flaws like the fact that he's "never set a squadron in the field". He's trying to highlight his imperfections so that he can feel better about himself.
5. Why/how is Iago the perfect Venetian man?
He's manipulative cunning and 'strong' which is what Venetian men are described like.
6. How doe Brabantio think Othello has won Desdemona?
Through witchcraft and the use of magic because he doesn't honestly believe that Desdemona could freely fall in love with him and find him attractive because he's black.
7. Is there anything in his words and actions that make us doubt Iago's honesty?
He's underhand and sneaky.
"Whether I in any just term am affined to the Moor"
This demonstrates how he's cunning because he's covering his back to Roderigo after he's just been telling him how much he hates Othello but realises that because of his job and friendship with him he will have to continue to act that way, especially for his plan to work, so he's telling Roderigo that he's only acting like he likes Othello because he has to.
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