Othello Act I Scene iOthello Act I Scene i

Metaphor of purse shows the trustMetaphor of purse shows the trustConfidante: trusted person to Confidante: trusted person to share one’s private affairs or share one’s private affairs or

secretssecrets

Appearance vs. RealityAppearance vs. Reality

““I am not what I am”I am not what I am”The dark, sinister qualities of IagoThe dark, sinister qualities of Iago““In following him I follow but myself”In following him I follow but myself” Iago pretends, deceives , falsifiesIago pretends, deceives , falsifies

Racial issuesRacial issues

““the thick lips” is a synecdoche to the thick lips” is a synecdoche to highlight Othello’s foreignness and highlight Othello’s foreignness and black heritageblack heritage

A racial distrust of Othello based on A racial distrust of Othello based on his colorhis color

Stereotypes about the raceStereotypes about the race

Animal ImageryAnimal Imagery

An old black ramAn old black ramWhite eweWhite eweBarbary horseBarbary horseAnimal imagery conveys immorality, Animal imagery conveys immorality,

bestial desire and illicit passion, bestial desire and illicit passion, Othello is lustfulOthello is lustful

juxtapositionsjuxtapositions

Light vs. DarkLight vs. DarkWhite vs. BlackWhite vs. BlackOrder vs. DisorderOrder vs. DisorderSteadiness vs. chaosSteadiness vs. chaos

Act I Scene IIAct I Scene IIAppearance vs. RealityAppearance vs. Reality

Janus is the two-faced godJanus is the two-faced godIago is two-faced, friendly and backbitingIago is two-faced, friendly and backbiting

metaphormetaphor

““He tonight hath boarded a land He tonight hath boarded a land carrack”carrack”

Othello as a pirateOthello as a pirateDesdemona as a prizeDesdemona as a prize

PridePride

Othello is proud of Othello is proud of his achievements his achievements His public statureHis public statureDesdemona’s affection for himDesdemona’s affection for him

Race Race

““run from her guardage to the sooty borun from her guardage to the sooty bosom of a thing such as thou”som of a thing such as thou”

Desdemona is enchantd because OthellDesdemona is enchantd because Othello is blacko is black

stereotypesstereotypes

Stereotype of African peoplesStereotype of African peoplesBlack arts of magicBlack arts of magicBeing paganBeing paganBeing lustfulBeing lustful

Act I Scene iiiAct I Scene iiiincompatibilityincompatibility

Desdemona is bewitched.Desdemona is bewitched.Brabantio’s grief “engluts and swalloBrabantio’s grief “engluts and swallo

ws other sorrows” because he feels strws other sorrows” because he feels strongly about this issue.ongly about this issue.

From Venice to CyprusFrom Venice to Cyprus

Venice is a place of familiarity, order Venice is a place of familiarity, order and lawand law

Order vs. chaosOrder vs. chaosOthello sinks deeper into distrust of Othello sinks deeper into distrust of

DesdemonaDesdemonaOthello is consumed by his jealousyOthello is consumed by his jealousy

Duke’s adviceDuke’s advice

Foretell trouble between the couple Foretell trouble between the couple Ends up being a reason for Othello’s Ends up being a reason for Othello’s

fallfallUse of coupletUse of coupletUse of rhymeUse of rhyme

Othello as a heroOthello as a hero

Power of languagesPower of languagesHe is tested, honorable warriorHe is tested, honorable warriorDesdemona’s affection is a form of herDesdemona’s affection is a form of her

o-worhsipo-worhsip

Othello’s lack of self-Othello’s lack of self-knowledgeknowledge

When he is hard pressed to recognize When he is hard pressed to recognize his jealousy and his lust, this view of his jealousy and his lust, this view of himself as a hero is troublesome.himself as a hero is troublesome.

He is unable to reconcile himself with He is unable to reconcile himself with his personality.his personality.

juxtapositionsjuxtapositions

Light/ white/ fairness/Light/ white/ fairness/ innocence/ goodnessinnocence/ goodnessDark/ black/ sin/ evil/ badDark/ black/ sin/ evil/ badVicesVicesHonest / dishonestHonest / dishonestTrust / distrustTrust / distrust

Act II scene IAct II scene Istormsstorms

Symbol of unrest and discordSymbol of unrest and discordEnd of the peaceful plotEnd of the peaceful plotAn act of fateAn act of fate

misrepresentationmisrepresentation

Iago appears to be honest, faithful, gooIago appears to be honest, faithful, good-heartedd-hearted

Iago makes a fictional affair between CaIago makes a fictional affair between Cassio and Desdemonassio and Desdemona

““with as little a web as this I will ensnarwith as little a web as this I will ensnare as great a fly as Cassio.e as great a fly as Cassio.

A simileA simileDesdemona is misrepresented as a fickle,Desdemona is misrepresented as a fickle,

lusty woman. lusty woman.

Master of temptationMaster of temptation

Iago is a master of the use of language.Iago is a master of the use of language.Iago’s speech plays on Othello’s insecuIago’s speech plays on Othello’s insecu

rities.rities.Iago is able to say depending on the inclinIago is able to say depending on the inclin

ation of the hearer.ation of the hearer.見人說人話 見鬼說鬼話見人說人話 見鬼說鬼話

Motives of IagoMotives of IagoHe is not promoted.He is not promoted.He doubts the relationship between OthHe doubts the relationship between Oth

ello and Emiliaello and EmiliaHe is just malignant, a villain.He is just malignant, a villain.

Act II Scene iiiAct II Scene iiidramatic ironiesdramatic ironies

Iago has plans and evil intentionsIago has plans and evil intentionsOthello is innocent of these plans and evOthello is innocent of these plans and ev

il intentions.il intentions.Audience know Iago’s deviance.Audience know Iago’s deviance.

self-consciousnessself-consciousness

““the purchase made, the fruit are to enthe purchase made, the fruit are to ensue;sue;

That profit’s yet to come tween me anThat profit’s yet to come tween me and you.”d you.”

Othello is conscious of his public life and Othello is conscious of his public life and image.image.

juxtapositionsjuxtapositions

Iago is manipulative and deceptive.Iago is manipulative and deceptive.Cassio is full of honor and the ideals of a Cassio is full of honor and the ideals of a

courtier.courtier.““He’s a soldier fit to stand by Caesar.He’s a soldier fit to stand by Caesar.

””

Cassio’s weaknessCassio’s weaknessWineWineLiquor can separate the best man Liquor can separate the best man

from himself.from himself.Liquor can do great damage to one’s Liquor can do great damage to one’s

reputation.reputation.

perceptivenessperceptiveness

Iago is perceptive of his status and his cIago is perceptive of his status and his chances.hances.

““If consequence do but approve my dreIf consequence do but approve my dream my boat sails freely both with wind aam my boat sails freely both with wind and stream.”nd stream.”

見風轉舵見風轉舵

Appearance vs. realityAppearance vs. reality

Iago pretends to settle the quarrel, but hIago pretends to settle the quarrel, but he is actually the engineer behind the whe is actually the engineer behind the whole affair.ole affair.

ReputationReputation

Cassio mourns the demise of his reputatCassio mourns the demise of his reputation.ion.

““Reputation is a most idle ad false impReputation is a most idle ad false imposition.”osition.”

A false consolation and full of irony.A false consolation and full of irony.

DevilDevil

““invisible spirit of wine let us call thee dinvisible spirit of wine let us call thee devil”evil”

The identity of the real devilThe identity of the real devil Iago is the source of what is poisoning eIago is the source of what is poisoning e

veryone and everything.veryone and everything.Good vs. evilGood vs. evil

Iago the title characherIago the title characher““I will turn her virtue into pitch”I will turn her virtue into pitch”““out of her own goodness make te net tout of her own goodness make te net t

hat shall enmesh them all”hat shall enmesh them all” Iago is the center of the playIago is the center of the play