Act 1 Scene 3

The beginning of the scene makes clear that Venice is in danger of attack from the Turks The beginning of the scene makes clear that Venice is in danger of attack from the Turks The senator and Duke call Othello “valiant” The senator and Duke call Othello “valiant” Brabantio comes across as hysterical. Again he talks of “some dram conjur’d” Brabantio comes across as hysterical. Again he talks of “some dram conjur’d” B says that she could not “fall in love with what she fear’d to look on” B says that she could not “fall in love with what she fear’d to look on” Again Othello acts humbly and respectfully (76-77) and he tells them it is “true” he has taken Desdemona Again Othello acts humbly and respectfully (76-77) and he tells them it is “true” he has taken Desdemona

Desdemona’s Love Desdemona fell in love with Othello while listening to him talk about battles and travels Desdemona fell in love with Othello while listening to him talk about battles and travels Desdemona often cried when Othello described “some distressful stroke That my youth suffer’d” Desdemona often cried when Othello described “some distressful stroke That my youth suffer’d” Othello summarises their love: Othello summarises their love: “she lov’d me for the dangers I had pass’d “she lov’d me for the dangers I had pass’d And I lov’d her that she did pity them. This is the only witchcraft I have us’d”

Othello O claims that ”Rude am I in my speech” O claims that ”Rude am I in my speech” Yet his power over words made Desdemona love him Yet his power over words made Desdemona love him His honest words persuade the Duke he is worthy of Desdemona His honest words persuade the Duke he is worthy of Desdemona With D’s help he also persuades Brabantio With D’s help he also persuades Brabantio The Duke states: The Duke states: “of virtue no delighted beauty lack, Your son-in-law is far more fair than black” Here the appearance is used metaphorically. Fair = virtuous. Black = evil. Here the appearance is used metaphorically. Fair = virtuous. Black = evil.

Analysis Reread Othello’s speech, lines Reread Othello’s speech, lines Find rhetorical techniques which Othello uses Find rhetorical techniques which Othello uses What type of sentence structure does he use? What type of sentence structure does he use? What punctuation marks do you notice? What punctuation marks do you notice? Interested, intrigued, impressed Interested, intrigued, impressed

Love Desdemona wants to be with Othello even though it means travel, hardship and potentially danger Desdemona wants to be with Othello even though it means travel, hardship and potentially danger Othello vows to look after her but also shows the respect that he has for her Othello vows to look after her but also shows the respect that he has for her He will take her “to be free and bounteous to her mind” He will take her “to be free and bounteous to her mind” Desdemona says that she “saw Othello’s visage in his mind, / And to his honours and his valiant parts / Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate” (I.iii. 250–252). Desdemona says that she “saw Othello’s visage in his mind, / And to his honours and his valiant parts / Did I my soul and fortunes consecrate” (I.iii. 250–252). she has the power to see him for what he is in a way that even Othello himself cannot she has the power to see him for what he is in a way that even Othello himself cannot

Othello’s judgement At the moment where Othello has impressed the audience Shakespeare shows that he has a misplaced trust in Iago: At the moment where Othello has impressed the audience Shakespeare shows that he has a misplaced trust in Iago: “A man he is of honesty and trust” “A man he is of honesty and trust” “Honest Iago” “Honest Iago” Dramatic Irony Dramatic Irony Brabantio warns O that “She has deceived her father and may thee” Brabantio warns O that “She has deceived her father and may thee” O swears “My life upon her faith!” O swears “My life upon her faith!”

Iago Notice here Iago speaks to Roderigo in prose (307+) – makes him seem low in social status and morals Notice here Iago speaks to Roderigo in prose (307+) – makes him seem low in social status and morals Iago shows he does not believe in love: Iago shows he does not believe in love: “It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will” “It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of the will” Iago says repeatedly “I hate the Moor” Iago says repeatedly “I hate the Moor” And says he wants “revenge” And says he wants “revenge”

Iago’s soliloquy This is a speech where one character speaks directly to the audience This is a speech where one character speaks directly to the audience Soliloquies are normally granted to heroes Soliloquies are normally granted to heroes He says he is using Roderigo for “sport and profit”- he enjoys it and benefits from it He says he is using Roderigo for “sport and profit”- he enjoys it and benefits from it “I hate the Moor “I hate the Moor and it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets He has done my office” Words – “abuse Othello’s ear” Words – “abuse Othello’s ear” He will take advantage of O’s character: He will take advantage of O’s character: “The Moor is of a free and open nature, That thinks men honest that but seem to be so And will as tenderly be led by the nose As asses are” (I.iii )

Writing Choose a play in which the dramatist’s use of contrast between two characters is important to your understanding of one of them. Choose a play in which the dramatist’s use of contrast between two characters is important to your understanding of one of them. Discuss how your understanding of this character is strengthened by the contrast Discuss how your understanding of this character is strengthened by the contrast

Othello’s fatal flaw Othello shows here that he has a very trusting character. Othello shows here that he has a very trusting character. He trusts the Duke He trusts the Duke And the authorities And the authorities His wife His wife And Iago And Iago However, the trust he has in Iago is misplace However, the trust he has in Iago is misplace Characters in tragedy have a fatal flaw which leads to their downfall – this may be Othello’s Characters in tragedy have a fatal flaw which leads to their downfall – this may be Othello’s