Othello 3.1-2

Even though both of these scenes are short, it is important to the story because it is the start of the downfall of Othello. It starts with Cassio playing a band as a celebration for Othello and Desdemona but is stopped when a clown insults the band's playing. Iago enters and exits after saying he will send his wife and make his conversation with Othello easier. Emilia also enters and reassures Cassio that Othello isn't mad at him and will reinstate his position when he can politically. Scene 2 is Othello leaving to check the fortification of Cyprus.

The clown has some importance in scene 1. The clown made many obscene jokes which are a form of comedic relief for the audience. With how serious and dramatic the previous scenes were, Shakespeare used the clown as a way to lighten up the mood. It also prepares the way for a lot of drama and action in later scenes. 

How is Iago going to use Emilia for his plans?
Emilia being a close servant to Othello has information about the couple. Iago could use Emilia to find out how suspicious Othello is of Cassio or to plant information to the couple directly.

http://shaksper.net/current-postings/31345-identity-of-the-clown-in-othello

This article is interesting in the fact that it looks at a deeper meaning behind the clown. It relates the clown to Iago in how he is causing chaos and disorder and how it also has a similar vulgar manner of speech.

Othello 2.3 L. 278-410

Cassio had just been fired from his job and he is quite distressed. He believes that he had lost his reputation and Othello now despises him. Iago is comforting him and saying that he shouldn't worry because Cassio was under alcohol and it wouldn't ruin his reputation. He continues to say that Othello probably doesn't hate him and there's a chance for him to have Othello trust him again. He advises Cassio to talk to Desdemona in hopes of having her be a spokesperson. Iago's goal is to have Othello suspect Desdemona is cheating on him so he is planning to have Cassio be a suspect. Cassio agrees and ironically leaves after calling Iago honest. Iago's has another small soliloquy where he ridicules Cassio for being naive and goes over his plan with the audience. Roderigo then enters and he is wanting to go back to Venice because he ran out of money. Iago convinces Roderigo that soon there will be a chance for him to win over Desdemona and he should stay.

There is the motif of devils and demons in this scene. Cassio says "Oh thou/invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be/known by, let us all thee devil" (300-303). He continues to call alcohol and drunkness the devil and devil works and he is implying that the devil had caused him to lose his temper and job. The devil also points to Iago as he is seen as an evil person who is twisted and able to manipulate people to his liking.

How crucial of a part will Roderigo be in the future?
Iago had already manipulated and used Roderigo to his liking and now he had run out of money. Iago might be able to find more ways of using Roderigo, but Iago is not likely to care about whether or not Roderigo is able to woo Desdemona as he is using Cassio. 


https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjhhKPdsu39-9ExyOrS1QNp29DVtKgaQxwA6u-ufW8vsFX3B6-YxaIrABka17eHyvFz11ZkoCZiXZg2TipeOhLpCLIP3msFPOIcwHC3FlMM95DjzkWTYljmSLwPpcGorrUjr6xaGt1XLBq9rjzKGISZvukjTf0DReQceVCmfmYdIiMSU8w3xvyKALF9nUvwOW0WdjuxlC5CUaVhjLhxi-U1wzd4xY3rPImg8iKjtV_unSilzyOI8Ezdr0NVeRrNRlBcRU7WKdZXi37RVieRUTYFHDBl04QohRhBw3D4KZZ9lg=

Iago's actions during these lines are like a friend who is pretending to be helpful and supportive, only to backstab you later.

Othello 2.3 L. 41-278

The scene jumps right into Iago's plan with Iago attempting to get Cassio drunk. Cassio has a low alcohol tolerance so he is done after one drink, but with all the festivities going on Cassio eventually gets caught up in the atmosphere and becomes drunk. There is the reintroduction Montano in this scene and he acts as one of the sober gentlemen. So Cassio becomes drunk and he leaves to do his guard duty but Iago manipulates Montano. He plants the idea that Cassio is a drunkard who is always drinking. Montano is skeptical until Cassio comes in chasing Roderigo while shouting obscenities. Montano attempts to break them apart but eventually is caught up in the fight as well. While this is happening, Iago has Roderigo go ring the city bell to wake everyone, including Othello. Eventually Othello comes and is able break up the fight. He has Iago tell him the story of what happened and Iago obviously point the finger to Cassio. Othello loses his temper and fires Cassio, exactly as Iago planned.

Some of Cassio's characteristics are quite unique compared to the other characters. For example, Cassio is able to stay calm even when Iago was blaming him. Usually, someone would try to defend themselves when they are being accused for something, but Cassio takes the blame and knows that he deserves what he was going to get. Cassio is also quite naive. He takes information that he gets at face value and never questions it. Iago was throwing him under the bus and he still believed that Iago genuinely cared for him. 

Why doesn't anyone suspect Iago for starting the fight? Especially with the things he said to Montano.
I think it is mostly due to Iago's reputation. Iago is well known for being an honest person, as ironic as that is. Because of his reputation, Iago is trusted and Montano doesn't doubt him. Iago also isn't doubted because he isn't shown to have any relationship to Roderigo, the culprit. 


https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ab/B106-Othello/files/2012/11/02_03.jpg

This image of Iago comforting Cassio shows Iago and Cassio's personality. Iago is looking at Cassio with a condesending attitude but Cassio is very sad about him being fired.

Othello 2.2-3 L. 1-39

Scene 2 is a very short scene with a concise paragraph with the dialogue of the Herald about Othello. The Herald describes how great Othello is for and congratulates him for marriage. He ends off with a blessing for Cyprus and Othello. In the next scene, Othello and Desdemona seems a rushed to leave and they do leave after Othello says goodnight to Cassio. Iago enters the scene and initiates his plan with first trying to get Cassio drunk. He leads the topic to Desdemona in order to see how Cassio sees her. While Iago is being rude and lewd in his manner of talking, Cassio is noble and polite in the way he responds. Iago later finds out that Cassio is weak to drinking and won't drink with him. 

The contrast between Iago and Cassio is very evident in scene 3. Iago is being very rude and looking at Desdemona in a lustful way but Cassio retains his manners and is simply agreeing with Iago for courtesy. It shows the contrasting characteristics of Iago and Cassio very evidently.

How are Iago's plans going to change now that he can't get Cassio drunk?
I think Iago will likely continue to manipulate Roderigo to do his bidding. Iago, being as manipulative as he is, probably has many plans to ruin Othello and 1 error is not likely to hinder him.


http://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.timetoast.com/public/uploads/photos/4852279/Othello_95_Iago_Cassio_drink.JPG?1475235185
This is a photo of Iago offering Cassio a drink. Cassio looks just as Shakespeare described him, handsome and nobel.

1. Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her!
   For I'll refer me to all things of sense,
   If she in chains of magic were not bound,
   Whether a maid so tender, fair, and happy,
   So opposite to marriage that she shunned
   The wealthy curlèd darlings of our nation,
   Would ever have, to incur a general mock,
   Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom
   Of such a thing as thou—to fear, not to delight!
   Judge me the world, if 'tis not gross in sense
   That thou hast practiced on her with foul charms,
   Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals
   That weaken motion. (1.2.82-94)

1. Speaker: Brabantio

Context: Brabantio is accusing Othello of using magic and drugs in order to charm Desdemona into loving him.

Meaning: Brabantio is saying that there is no way Desdemona, as a noble woman would ever fall in love with a black man such as Othello. Othello has used some sort of witchcraft to impaired Desdemona's reason and used that to woo her

Dramatic purpose:

Racism: Brabantio is being racist and assuming that because Othello is a Moor, he would do something like this.

1. She bade me, if I had a friend that loved her,

I should but teach him how to tell my story,

And that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake:

She loved me for the dangers I had passed,

And I loved her, that she did pity them.

This only is the witchcraft I have used.    (I, iii, 163-169)

3. Speaker: Othello

Context: Othello is explaining to the council how he wooed Desdemona after being accused of using magic by Brabantio.

Meaning: Desdemona has willingly fallen in love with Othello because of his stories. Othello has also fallen in love with Desdemona because she willingly listened to his story ands pried him for it.

Dramatic purpose:

Relationship: the quote shows that the love between Desdemona and Othello is pure and real.

Theme: the theme of love is shown between Othello and Desdemona

Othello 2.1 L.234-334

The last half of this scene is all about Iago and Roderigo, much like the end of Act 1 Scene 3. Iago convinces Roderigo that Cassio and Desdemona are in love with each other. Roderigo is very skeptical at first but as he listens to Iago talk about Cassio's courtesies and characteristics, he becomes convinced. Iago points out how Cassio had kissed Desdemona's hand and also how perfect Cassio is compared to the Moor. Iago portrays Desdemona as someone who would fall in love on a whim and therefore choose the next best partner once she is bored of Othello. Iago also tells Roderigo about his plan to take Cassio's seat as the lieutenant. He wants Roderigo to taunt Cassio into hitting him so that Iago can report Cassio to Othello. By doing this, Iago is able to free up the spot of lieutenant and earn favor with Othello at the same time. The scene ends with Iago going to get the luggage of Othello and Roderigo preparing his part of the plan.

Some of the metaphors in Iago's soliloquy are really powerful. For example, he says "the thought whereof / Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my innards" (318-319). He expresses his jealousy and anger at the suspicion that Othello had slept with his wife. Shakespeare expresses the feeling of jealousy as having something gnaw on the innards and it is a very accurate and descriptive way of expressing jealousy.

Why does Iago have seemingly conflicting views about Othello's character?
Even though Iago had praised Othello for his noble character and good husbandry, all in all, he still hates him over a suspicion of him sleeping with his wife. The feeling of jealousy is likely not caused by Iago's love for his wife, but more due to his overall racist mindset combined with his possessiveness of women.



https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/23/64/04/23640436e7c5859b833cd29c38108715.jpg

The photo represents the quote of "the thought whereof / Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my innards" (318-319). It does a good job of showing how jealousy could be like a poison.

Who will Iago influence?	How will he influence them?	What result is he hoping for?
Cassio	Make him angry and report his actions to Othello	He is hoping to have him died and take his job as the lieutenant.
Roderigo	He will use his love for Desdemona against him, he will make Roderigo his slave	To enrage Cassio and if Cassio hits him, use it as an excuse to fire Cassio
Othello	Her will ultimately try to sleep with his wife but also to make him jealous and lost his reason.	Othello to be taken over in jealousy and grief by way of his wife Desdemona.

Othello 1.3 L.342-447

As a continuation of the previous post, the entire audience had left leaving Roderigo and Iago to have the time to talk. Immediately, Roderigo expresses his sadness by saying to Iago that he is going to go and drown himself. Iago comforts him by saying things like Desdemona is a guinea hen to dissuade him from suicide. Iago uses many imagery devices such as relating bodies to gardens and wills, gardeners. He manipulates Roderigo using his heightened emotions and empty promises of being able to woo Desdemona. Iago convinces Roderigo to follow the couple to Cyprus as a chance to get closer to Desdemona but at the same time, Iago is using Roderigo as his purse after telling him to sell all his belongings for money. To be even more convincing, Iago describes his hatred for Othello in order to reassure Roderigo about his plans. At the end of the play, Iago has a monolog in which he belittles Roderigo and explains that his motive for ruining Othello is because of a rumor where Othello had sex with his wife.

In these lines, I found the imagery very intuitive and useful for explaining the setting and mood of the scene. Iago describes the body as a garden and our will as the gardener. He explains how our wills will determine if the garden is cluttered with a variety of herbs or with one type of herbs. He's relating the analogy to a person's sex life. He is describing how Roderigo could be more aggressive and should be actively going for Desdemona. Another form of imagery he uses is to describe the changing desires of Moors. He describes how his desire for Desdemona right now is like a locust and it will change to a coloquintidas in a short amount of time.

Why does Iago end with the phrase, "Hell and night / Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light" (446-447)?
Aside from dramatic effect, I think that Shakespeare made Iago say these lines in order to portray him as a dark and villainous character who has the rest of the play in his hands. Iago means in these lines that he has a plan laid out to catch Othello and ruin him and the idea is so cruel it could be something that originates from Hell and night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fItEfJhf0oc
This video shows an actor playing the role of Iago when he says his soliloquy. The actor himself portrays Iago very well but the part that fascinated me is when he used chess pieces to represent himself, Othello and Desdemona. He portrays himself as a knight in between Othello and Desdemona who are the King and Queen respectively. It is interesting how he sees himself as a knight even though knights are righteous and just but Iago is anything but.

Quotes	Context	Themes	Explanation
“What sayst thou, noble heart? (344)	Iago is about to comfort Roderigo with his heart-break for Desdemona	There is a theme of dishonesty where Iago doesn’t truly believe that Roderigo is noble	Iago is manipulating Roderigo to do his bidding and one of the ways he does this is flatter Rodrigo even though it is not truthful
“Our bodies are our gardens, to which our will are gardeners” (370-372)	Iago is describing the body and will as a garden and gardener to help Roderigo understand his desires.	There is a motif of plants in these lines.	Iago could be thinking of himself as a gardener who is managing a garden of plants.
“a supersubtle Venetian be not too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her” (399-400)	Iago is giving Roderigo hope that if he follows Iago’s instructions, he will be able to get Desdemona.	The motif of hell is illuminated in these lines	Hell is later mentioned in Iago’s soliloquy and hell could be a motif to represent the evil that is present in Iago’s mind
“That thinks men honest that but seem to be so,and will tenderly be led by th’ nose as asses are” (443-445)	This is in Iago’s soliloquy where he is ridiculing Othello for being a trusting man	There is a theme of lies and honesty.	Othello nature is opposite of Iago’s. While Othello is honest and noble, Iago is witty and cunning and it is displayed in the soliloquy.

Othello 2.1 L.1-233

As a way to begin the new scene, Shakespeare also introduces the characters into a new setting. The crew of Othello, Desdemona, Iago, Roderigo, Emilia (Iago's wife), and Cassio arrive at Cyprus only to find that the Turkish fleet had been drowned and destroyed in the storm. The scene begins with some imagery used to describe how the Turkish were sunk such as "What ribs of oak, when mountains melt on them," (8). Cassio then enters the scene and he shows some concern for Othello's group as they are also sailing through the storm. He is somewhat reassured because he knows the quality of the boat and pilot. The first ones to arrive in Cyprus is Desdemona, Iago, Roderigo, and Emilia. The people of Cyprus are praising Desdemona for her beauty and as a gesture of courtesy, Cassio kisses the hand of Desdemona. Iago doesn't let this chance slip away as he keeps it in mind for when he manipulates Roderigo. Othello finally arrives and the couple embraces in happiness and joy. Othello and Desdemona leave for some errands and he tells Iago to get his luggage.

The setting of this scene is extremely important. Firstly, the newly-wed couple is spending their honeymoon on a battlefield. Shakespeare chose this setting because it foreshadows the chaotic events that will be happening later on in the play to the couple. The setting is also significant because there ended up not being a war to even fight because the Turkish fleet was destroyed in the storm. The Turkish fall represents how unexpected things could happen and that is also reflected in the play.

The role of the storm in this scene represents ensuing chaos. First, the storm destroys the Turkish fleet which symbolizes how things will not go as planned since the Senators had sent Othello to defend Cyprus. The storm's chaos also foreshadows the disaster that will happen later on in the play. The storm had almost sunk Othello's ship and it foreshadows how future events will also eventually ruin him.

http://www.britaininprint.net/shakespeare/othello/images/web_ready_images/othello_waterfront_small.jpg
This image shows how celebrated Othello is. In contrary to the discrimination that he faces in Venice, he is on the frontlines where everyone has heard of his achievements and bravery.

Othello 1.3 L.1-342

In the previous scene, Brabantio and Othello decide to take up the issue of Desdemona's marriage with the Duke and that is covered in these lines. But first off, the Duke and the Senate are currently debating about the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. They receive news that the Turkish turned around and are headed to Rhodes, but the First Senator predicts that it is a trick because Cyprus has more importance than Rhodes to the Turks. He is correct in predicting this and at this moment Barbantio barges in stops the meeting. He starts to describe that his daughter had been charmed, abused, and stolen from him. The Duke is supportive of him until he hears that the perpetrator is Othello. He calls for Othello to defend himself and he begins to describe how he wooed Desdemona with the stories of his battles and life. Desdemona makes an entrance for the first time and she supports Othello's story. Brabantio is devasted that his daughter fell in love with a moor and the Duke declares the issue over. They resume telling Othello to move to Cyprus immediately and defend against the Turks. Othello readily agrees but he has an issue with where Desdemona would live. Neither Othello, Desdemona or Brabantio agree for Desdemona to live in her father's house so Desdemona says she wants to go with Othello to Cyprus. Othello assigns Desdemona to Iago for an escort and they leave to secure their marriage.

I find Desdemona's character intriguing. She seems to love adventures as she is fascinated by Othello's stories and even voluntarily agrees to follow Othello to the battlefield. As for first impressions of Desdemona, she seems to be someone who can fall in love easily. She fell in love with Othello due to his stories, which seems a bit superficial. If she can fall in love with Othello so easily, she might fall in love with someone else too. There was some foreshadowing of that when Barbantio told Othello to watch her carefully as she tricked her father, she can trick him too.

What's going to happen when Iago is escorting Desdemona?
I think that Iago is going to somehow trick Desdemona or use Desdemona against Othello. Iago could also try to have Desdemona fall for Roderigo as Roderigo is in alliance with Iago. Roderigo himself loves Desdemona and wants to take her as his wife. This is shown by his attempts of favoritism with Brabantio when he announces that Desdemona eloped with Othello. 

Lines with Eyes motif:

• 24
• 76
• 116
• 276
• 287
• 333

Shakespeare is trying to create a negative connotation with eyes. Every mention of eyes in these lines have some sort of negative meaning: from lying and deceit, to fear, to being blind. Shakespeare wants us to draw the conclusion that we need to watch for negative things when eyes are involved. Eyes can also represent visions. Shakespeare could also be telling us that eyes will represent some sort of foreshadowing. Barbantio warning Othello is a good example of this. 

https://www.bard.org/study-guides/the-moral-geography-of-othelloThis article explains the differences in setting of Venice and Cyprus during the time of Shakespeare. It emphasizes how Cyprus is a perfect location for Desdemona to fall victim to Iago's tricks and manipulations. It talks about the massive change in lifestyle that is experienced when moving from an urban city like Venice to a military camp such as Cyprus. The writer is trying to explain how Shakespeare deliberately chose Cyprus as a setting for the plot of Othello. 

Othello 1.2

The scene starts off with Iago warning Othello about how Brabantio is going to come and try to divorce him and Desdemona. Othello rebukes him by saying that he isn't afraid of Brabantio because his love for Desdemona is strong and his merits/social status will out-weigh whatever he is accused of. Then Cassio and some officers come and tell Othello that he is needed by the senate and Duke. But all of a sudden Brabantio comes with Roderigo and calls Othello a thief. The encounter escalates until swords are drawn but the situation eventually calms down and both parties agree to bring up the matter to the Duke.

I find the politics very interesting in this scene. Brabantio is able to call a lot of officers and friends of his to pressure Othello. He says in the previous scene to call people from all the houses to gather weapons. It is interesting how much influence and power he has to be able to call people who are not necessarily close or related to him. Also, Brabantio says that he is able to bring up the matter directly to the Duke. The Duke is one of the most influential people in the city and Brabantio seems to have the authority to bring up a private matter to him. 

How is the Duke going to respond to Brabantio accusing Othello of charming Desdemona with magics and drugs?
I think the Duke will be skeptical of Othello charming Desdemona without her consent. I believe this because the Duke obviously knows about Othello's character and achievements. Even though Othello is black, the Duke is likely able to see past the stereotype and judge Othello fairly. 


http://study.com/cimages/multimages/16/doge_of_venice.jpg

The Duke is an absolute authority in Venice. His role so far has been small but his power and influence are shown in how he acts and makes decisions. He is able to judge and reconcile Brabantio and Othello and no one is able to dispute him. Even Brabantio had no choice but to accept his decision of letting Desdemona marry Othello.

Othello 1.1

In Othello Scene 1, Shakespeare introduces 3 characters, none of which is Othello. They are Iago, the flag holder for the army of Othello, Roderigo, a friend of Iago, and Brabantio a senator of Venice and father of a woman interested in Othello. The scene starts off with Iago complaining to Roderigo about Othello choosing Michael Cassio as his officer and second-in-command. Iago argues that Michael doesn't have any experience as a soldier but Iago has been a witness to Othello's acts at many different battlefields. Roderick questions his loyalty for Othello and Iago responds saying that he is following Othello for his own sake and not for love or duty to Othello. Right after, they arrive at Brabantio's house tell him that his daughter is with Othello. Roderigo then convinces Brabantio to check for his daughter who is not there. The scene ends with Iago returning to Othello and Brabantio leaving to look for his daughter with Roderigo.

Reading this scene for the first time, to be honest, was really confusing. Aside from the language, the characters were really unique. Iago seems to be a loyal follower of Othello but in reality, he is pretty jealous and narcissistic. Also, Brabantio is a senator but his actions after finding out that his daughter left, are anything but senator-like. The character development is very detailed and deliberate right from the start of the play

What evidence can you find in this scene of Iago’s manipulative nature; narcissistic personality; jealousy?
Iago's manipulative nature is shown in his actions with Brabantio's daughter. In order to get Othello in trouble, he goes to tell Brabantio that his daughter is sleeping with Othello. His narcissism and jealousy are shown when he complains about Michael Cassio being Othello's aid and he believes that he is much more capable. 

https://s-media-cache ak0.pinimg.com/236x/81/dd/3a/81dd3ab1891bb69f29fb87dcdeb60441.jpg This is a poster for a Shakespearean festival. The picture is of a ram "tupping" a white ewe, or sheep. Is a quote from this scene that Iago used to describe Othello having sex with the senator's daughter.