Act One Scene Three Questions (in 45-225)

Act One, Scene Three (In 45-225)

1. How does the Duke and Senators speak of Othello?

They speak of him as if he's important because they call him the "valiant Moor". This would suggest that he is of an important position. Also they speak about him using racist terms like "Moor" which would suggest society at this time was racist.

2. How does Brabantio speak of his daughter?

He speaks of Desdemona as if Othello has ruined her as if she's an object to be damaged which is demonstrated when he says: "she is abused". This would also suggest a racist society because he thinks that just because his daughter's husband is black that she's "abused" with some kind of drugs or magic spells which was a racist view held of black people.

3. What do we learn about views towards foreigners/moors?

We learn that society was highly racist and that they had low opinions of "Moors". We also learn that Othello has a lot of people that respect him though because of his high position, however, he loses the respect of Brabantio when he marries Desdemona because he's black and Brabantio believes he's used drugs or magic to 'win' her. This is another racist view that the only way "Moors" can get people to find them attractive is by using magic or drugs.

4.What is ironic about Othello's claim that "rude I am in my speech"?

Because he says he can't speak very well in front of people but he manages to deliver several speeches, using really good language in front of lots of people when he's explaining how Desdemona fell in love with him and how he didn't use magic or drugs to 'win' her.

5. What is startling about Othello's decision to let Desdemona speak on his behalf?

Aristotle stated that the tragic hero in a classic tragedy should be a man of magnitude and if Othello is a man of magnitude then he should be able to speak on his own behalf and not need Desdemona to prove that she loves him. He should be able to do that for himself. Also, society was patriarchal at this time so what ever Desdemona says would not be taken too seriously anyway because she's a woman so the fact that Othello has to get his wife to speak for him may make us question whether he really is a man of magnitude.

6. Using the thinking question, what 'stories' does Othello tell in his speech to the senate? 

He tells all the stories from his life: "battles, sieges, fortunes" and explains that when he told these stories to Desdemona, she felt sympathy for him which is how she fell in love with him. Not all of his stories were true though, he just liked the feeling of Desdemona feeling sorry for him and all that she thinks he has been through. They are Othello's 'ideologies' and how he would have wanted things to be  so he lie about it which is what he feels he needs to do in order for Desdemona to fall in love with him.