English Literature: Act 1 Othello Questions.

Act 1

1.	How does Shakespeare present the world of Venice in the first act, and how does he construct the interactions of his central characters (Iago, Othello, and Desdemona) with that Venetian world and with each other. How are these interactions complicated by the fact that Othello is a Moor and that Desdemona is a young women? Venice is shown to be a bastion of civilization, and is relatively a quiet place. Iago is very cunning and wants to destroy Othello. However, surrounded by his men Othello is very well protected and of high authority, his presence is strong and Iago is jealous of that, because a 'Moor' is higher status to him. Othello and Desdemona's love is very strong and the passion is shown in the first act as they are newly together. But even when Desdemona's father questions and disapproves of Othello she has his back but of their society's attitudes, his love even called him a 'Moor' which is offensive. So that shows how respected and how it complicates them later on in the acts. She is a young woman, and he is older therefore and from the previous lack of being offensive, it could mean that gullible Othello is easier to persuade.
2.	What sort of person is Iago, as he appears in act 1? Are you satisfied by the reasons he gives for hating Othello? What is Iago's relationship with Roderigo?I believe that Iago is a jealous, malicious psychopath. from the values and attitudes made by society against culturally different people, Iago cannot bare the fact that a 'Moor' is of higher status to him. Iago, clearly has psychological issues, as no one else in the play has issues with Othello being in authority. Iago is very psychological manipulative and persuading, as just by his  words he can very quickly influence Roderigo. Roderigo is very foolish and jealous of Othello and Desdemona's marriage so he is very easily persuaded into ruining their relationship in order to be with Desdemona, but that isn't Iago's plan.
3.	What sort of language does Iago use? What sort of language does Othello use? What might be the significance of this difference? Iago uses rhetoric language, as he is very persuasive in order top exploit Roderigo, and in the end get he wants, but by manipulation no evidence will be upon him after it, because he has got Roderigo, the exploited participant to do his work. However, Othello uses restricted code, because he is not as well elaborative. This results in it being inconsistent, throughout the play his language continues to change and vary the more Iago get into his head. Iago is intelligent than Othello, and he puts his trust in Iago by calling him 'honest Iago', this is what allows Iago to have more significance in manipulating Othello to his wife's infidelity. the opposites in their language suggest that Othello will be the weaker character, as he does not have the power with words, where as Iago having rhetoric means that it is very easy to persuade people to do or think  what he wants.

English Literature: Othello Questions.

Why do Iago and Roderigo wake Brabantio?
Iago and Roderigo wake Brabantio as they need to tell him that his daughter has married a man, without him knowing, and that he is black.


How does Brabantio believe Othello ‘won’ his daughter, Desdemona?
Brabantio believed that Othello enchanted her with his 'chains of magic'.


How does Othello believe he ‘won’ Desdemona?
Othello on the other hand believes that he just wooed her .


What two reasons are there for Othello appearing before the senate?
Othello appears before the senate to explain of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Then Brabantio accuses Othello of spells so he has to explain his relationship and speak for himself before the Duke.
What do we learn about Othello’s past?
We learn that Othello was a slave in the past and he managed to escape but his marks show the memories.


What terms are used to describe Othello whilst in front of the senate?
A term used is a ' black ram' and is used to say when he is having intercourse with Desdemona.
Also, the 'moor' which is even used by his wife, which is a racist term.




What is significant about Brabantio’s rhyming couplet “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to
see. She has deceived her father, and may thee.”?
The rhyming couplet shows that if she can deceive once, she will do it again. And when Iago makes a rumour, it is easier for Othello to believe it as she has done it once to his father. This foreshadows the future events.


Can you find an example of dramatic irony in Othello’s retort?
Iago calls himself honest to Othello, when it will be him who deceives him as he makes a rumour up. Also, the audience know this so it creates dramatic irony.


What does Iago persuade Roderigo to do?
Iago contradicts him “Put but money in thy purse,” Iago tells this to Roderigo repeatedly, and urging him to Cyprus. Iago promises to work everything out from there.


What do we learn from Iago’s soliloquy?
Iago is jealous and psychotic as he is jealous of the others in the army and Othello, therefore he goes out to only serve himself and ruin Othello's relationship, as he doesn't care about Roderigo either.