Dramatis Personae
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Duke of Venice
Othello: Moor, married to Desdoma
Iago: Solider in Othello’s army
Cassio: Lieutenant in Othello’s army
Desdemona: Othello’s wife
Emilia: Iago’s wife
Rodreigo: Solider, love Desdemona
Act I Scene 1
• Read I.1.113-114
• Othello begins in the city of Venice, at night
• Roderigo is having a discussion with Iago, who is bitter at being passed up as Othello's lieutenant.
• Though Iago had greater practice in battle and in military matters,
Cassio, a man of strategy but of little experience, was named lieutenant by Othello.
• Iago says that he only serves Othello to further himself, and makes shows of his allegiance only for his own gain
• He admits that his nature is not at all what it seems. …show more content…
• How Othello sees himself directly influences how he views
Desdemona's love
Analysis: Imagery
• Othello begins to use the black/ white imagery found throughout the play, to express his grief and rage at Desdemona's alleged treachery.
• "My name, that was as fresh as Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black as mine own face," Othello says.
• Although the allegations against Desdemona are personally hurtful to him, Othello focuses more on the public ramifications, rather than the private
• There is great irony in this concern, since this rumored betrayal is a private one, and also since Othello's name is highly regarded, because nothing has really happened.
• Iago's "proofs" also rely on the animal imagery which has run throughout the play
• he makes Desdemona and Cassio seem like lustful lovers, by describing them as "prime as goats, as hot as monkeys" (400).
• This comparison is calculated, since Iago knows that thinking of
Desdemona as lusting after another man disturbs Othello greatly.
Analysis: Handkerchief
• The handkerchief, the most crucial symbol and object in the play.
• The handkerchief, to Desdemona, symbolizes
Othello's love, since it was his first gift to