| Scene 1 Summary | Act 1 opens with Iago and Roderigo arguing that Iago took Roderigo’s money and has not made Desdemona fall in love with him. Iago reveals to Roderigo Desdemona has married Othello and that Iago now hates Othello because he has promoted Cassio over him for lieutenant. In order to raise attention to this marriage, R and I go to Barbantio’s house and let him know that D has married O. B’s reacts poorly. He can’t believe D would marry O. |
| Scene 2 Summary | Iago tells Othello he wishes could of killed Roderigo because he was speaking poorly of Othello (this is a lie & Iago was also speaking badly about Othello). Barbantio is coming to Othello’s house to bring him to the Duke of Venice to speak about his marriage to D. He wants to verify that O and D married, and he now wants them to be divorced. When B and crew arrive at Othello’s they have there swords drawn, but they don’t fight because O calms the situation and goes to visit the duke. |
| Scene 3 Summary | The Duke learns that his enemies, the Turks, are about to attack Cyprus, not Rhodes. Then, Othello arrives at the Duke of Venice’s residence and is followed by Iago, Barbantio, Cassio & Roderigo. B accuses O of using magic or spells to get D to fall in love with him- O tells the Duke this is not true. O tells the Duke his side of the story because the Duke can’t believe a man of such good character would trick D into marriage. This action reveals that O and D are truly in love. Othello is about to be sent to Cyprus and D asks to go with him. B is upset that he didn’t get the divorce between O and D and he realizes D has betrayed him (he warns O that D may betray him in the future). Scene shifts to I & R- R says he’s going to drown himself because D is truly in love with O. Iago urges him to patient because the love between D and O will never work. Iago sees an opportunity to cheat R out of money by creating a plot to break up D and O by saying O has cheated on D with Emilia, Iago’s wife, and to spread rumors that D and C are having an affair – in attempt to get O angry and fire Cassio. |
| Othello | Honest, open with feelings, level-headed, calm, strong leader, a moor (from Africa). He is an outsider. |
| What does Iago want? (character motivation) | He wants the lieutenant job Michael Cassio has. He plans to get the job by staging an affair between Desdemona and Cassio. When Othello finds out, he will hopefully fire Cassio and divorce Desdemona. Iago will get the job and fulfill his promise to Roderigo (get D to fall in love with him). He also wants to get revenge on Othello. |
| What does Roderigo want? | He wants Desdemona to fall in love with him and he goes along with Iago’s plans. |
| What does Barbantio want? | For Othello and Desdemona to get a divorce. He feels betrayed that D would marry someone without his permission, and not only anyone, but a Moor (African guy) |
| Why is Othello referred to as a “valiant Moor”? | He is well respected and that he is considered brave. |
| Where does Act 1 take place? | The city of Venice (Italy) |
| Who are the Venetians and Othello’s troops about to fight and where? | The Turkish fleet in Cyprus (an island off of Turkey) |
| “For when my outward action doth demonstrate the native act of figure of my heart in complement extern, tisnot long after, but I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at” (1.1) | Speaker: Iago Situation: Iago is speaking to Roderigo at the beginning of the scene about his desires and anger with OthelloSignificance: This quote reveals Iago’s intentions of being deceptive and hiding his emotions and feelings from those around him. He believes this will strengthen his position and allow him to manipulate Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, etc. so that he and Roderigo get what they want. |
| “Not I, I must be found. My parts, my title, and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?” Speaker? Situation? Significance? | Speaker: Othello (act 1 scene 2)Situation: Speaking to Iago who reveals that Barbantio is about to request he a get a divorce from Desdemona in front of the Duke Significance: Othello knows his importance, his good qualities and he shows a lot of self-confidence. |
| Quote | … |
| Quote | … |
| How would you describe Desdemona? | … |
| How would you describe Barbantio? | … |
| How would you describe Cassio? | … |
Othello Act 1 Review
August 28, 2019