Othello Act 1 Quotes

1:1 IagoAnimalistic imagery to present Othello as barbaric and gives in to racial and sexual stereotypes. “An old black ram is tupping your white ewe””covered with a barbary horse”
1:1IagoBiblical allusion that goes against the words of God, showing that Iago believes he is all powerful and is able to delude people against his duplicity. “I am not what I am”
1:1IagoExpresses his duplicitous intentions against Othello “I follow him to serve my turn upon him”
1:2IagoIago swears upon the two-faced god of duplicity, dramatic irony as we know his true nature. “By Janus I think no”
1:1RodrigoRodrigo also shows racial prejudice towards the “moor”. Shakespeare openly explores themes of xenophobia and racism in a time where these were highly prominent. “thick lips”
1:2BrabantioExpresses the feeling that if an interracial marriage is allowed, society will be turned upside down. “Bondslaves and pagans shall our statesmen be”
1:2OthelloShows a contrast between how the previous characters have described Othello and how he actually speaks, going against stereotypes and showing Iago is not to be trusted by the audience. “Tis better as it is””Let him do his spite”
1:2OthelloTriplet shows Othello’s pride and how closely he regards his reputation, his soul and his military success. Foreshadows how he will kill Des – destroying his reputation and his soul and will act like a soldier if anyone acts against it. “my parts, my title and my perfect soul, shall manifest me rightly”
1:2BrabantioBelieves that a white girl could never marry a black man out of love and Othello must be using the dark arts to trick her. “Thou hast enchanted her”
1:2OthelloShows his calm and collected nature in the situation and how he is not prone to violence, contrast with the end of the play. “Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them”
1:3OthelloWhen speaking of Desdemona, despite more respect than his peers he still talks of her like a possession “I won his daughter”
1:3BrabantioBelieves that Desdemona should be fearful of Othello because of his race. “To fall in love with what she feared to look on”
1:2OthelloShows his high status and therefore that he is a tragic hero “From men of royal siege”
1:3DesdemonaShows the typical conflict in Shakespearean time between love and family honour “I do perceive here a divided duty”
1:3OthelloDramatic irony as this is not what Iago is, but Othello’s naivety means he doesn’t see this. “A man he is of honesty and trust”
1:3BrabantioFate. Predicts what will happen later in the play. Couplets – a curse/spell? Ironic as Othello doesn’t have the eyes to see the truth in the situation and is manipulated by Iago. “Look to her moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee”
1:3IagoIago hates Othello because of delusion and insecurity – he believes Othello has slept with his wife. “I hate the Moor””Twixt my sheets”
September 3, 2019