English 12 - Mr. Rinka Lesson #17 Othello Acts 1 & 2

Othello The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice is a tragedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in approximately 1603, and based on the Italian short story Un Capitano Moro ("A Moorish Captain") by Cinthio, a disciple of Boccaccio, first published in 1565.

The work revolves around four central characters: Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army; his wife, Desdemona; his lieutenant, Cassio; and his trusted ensign, Iago. Because of its varied and current themes of racism, love, jealousy, and betrayal, Othello is still often performed in professional and community theatres alike and

has been the basis for numerous operatic, film, and literary adaptations.

Characters Othello - A brilliant military mind and respected leader in Venice’s elitist society. Othello is a Moor (an African) and is not fully accepted because of his origins and color. After many successful military ventures, he finds Desdemona and falls in love with her, the daughter of

a senator. Because of his insecurities and social hyper awareness, he is easily deceived and misled by Iago’s careful machinations and forced into a blind, jealous rage, smothering Desdemona in her sleep.

Desdemona - A noble woman and daughter of the Venetian Senator Brabantio. Desdemona falls in love with Othello and displays particular strength of spirit in following him and remaining steadfast in the face of danger. She relies on her trust and love of her husband and even as he grows distant and jealous of her for reasons she cannot discern, she

simply appeals to their love and hopes for his trust in return. On her death bed, after realizing Othello’s intentions, she feels only grief. Maria Malibran as Rossini's Desdemona by François Bouchot,

Iago - A captain in Othello’s forces and extremely careful planner and horribly vindictive thinker, his grievances turn into full fledged revenge against both Cassio and Othello. Turned down for a promotion by Othello in favor of Cassio, Iago is responsible entirely for plotting the demotion and murder of Cassio and the jealous

seeds in Othello’s head that lead to his murdering Desdemona and then himself. Cassio - The popular, well spoken, friend of Othello, Cassio is a lieutenant for Othello, chosen over Iago for promotion and thus drawing his ire. His natural charm and kindness lead him to trust Iago in requesting Desdemona’s help

and eventually lead to his implication in an affair that twists Othello’s mind against his former friend. Emilia - The wife of Iago and servant of Desdemona, Emilia is a carefully thinking wife and lady-in-waiting and one of the few who has suspicions of her husband’s activities. She realizes too late his

true motives and pays for those suspicions when he stabs her. Roderigo - A former suitor of Desdemona, Roderigo is a Venetian nobleman who continues to pay freely to win her hand. He trusts Iago as his go between man and pays him liberally to help win her hand. Iago takes his money and uses Roderigo to instigate his plans for

revenge against Cassio and Othello. Bianca - A courtesan in love with Cassio who is approached to help recreate the handkerchief he finds. Her skills in needlework are inarguable, but also help recreate the final piece of evidence Othello uses against his wife.

Brabantio - A Venetian senator and the father of Desdemona, Brabantio is wary of Othello and his intentions. He is skeptical of the marriage between Othello and Desdemona. He even warns his new son in law against the deceitfulness of his daughter. Duke of Venice - The ruler of the leading body of the Venetian

senate, the Duke is responsible for urging the sanction of Othello and Desdemona’s marriage. He sends Othello to Cyprus to help defend against the Turks. Montano - The former governor of Cyprus before Othello’s arrival. The two are good friends and Montano takes the evidence from Cassio that displays Iago’s deceitfulness.

Lodovico - As Desdemona’s cousin, he questions both Cassio and Othello after his cousin’s death to finally decide what happened, revealing the truth. Gratiano - As Desdemona’s uncle, he arrives and finds Cassio injured after Roderigo and Iago attack him.

Poster for an 1884 American production starring Thomas W. Keene.

Act I Scene 1 The play opens with a conversation between Iago and Roderigo on a street in Venice. Roderigo is a failed suitor of Desdemona, having paid Iago to help win her hand. During this scene, Roderigo has just discovered that Desdemona and

Othello were recently married. Iago assures Roderigo that, even though he serves as an ensign for Othello, he hates the man. His hatred is due to Othello passing over Iago for promotion in favor of Cassio, someone with considerably less experience than Iago in battle and in the field. He states explicitly his intentions to follow Othello only in

appearance, waiting for his chance to act. Iago incites Roderigo to go to Desdemona’s father, Brabantio and rile him against the marriage. The two shout in the street of thievery, waking the Senator and work to convince the man that his daughter has been stolen away by Othello. At first unsure because of his warning

to Roderigo to stay clear of his family, Brabantio is convinced by Iago’s own riotous claims that Desdemona and Othello are engaged in sexual activity, sending the senator to search for his daughter. The scene closes with Brabantio’s discovery that his daughter is missing, stolen from him by “magic charms” and all of

them going to confront Othello. Scene 2 The second scene has the group going to Othello’s lodgings and Iago again leading the way. Iago arrives first and warns Othello of Brabantio’s anger and his intentions to nullify the marriage in divorce. As the two talk, men appear, walking

towards the residence. These men, however, are not Brabantio’s, but Cassio and his own retinue, carrying word from the Duke that Othello has been requested as a matter of discussion of Cyprus. As Othello’s men prepare to leave, Brabantio and Roderigo arrive, fully prepared to fight. Othello, however, quells the arising

conflict with a command to put up their swords and explains that he is requested by the Duke. Brabantio decides that this suits his needs as well, and he will bring his case before the Duke for consideration. Scene 3 The Duke, in conversation with fellow Senators discusses the war

with the Turks before Othello’s retinue arrives. At first the Turks are moving on Rhodes to mislead the Venetians, but soon they put their full energy back into their offensive against Cyprus. Othello, Brabantio, and their men arrive in the midst of this conversation, and Brabantio immediately requests a parlay of

state business for the discussion of his daughter and Othello. He presents his wild accusations of magic and potions, and the Duke is incensed to agree until he realizes who the accused party is. Thereafter, he gives Othello his fair chance to speak and defend himself against the charges. Othello describes the invitations he often received from Brabantio to visit

his home and share the stories of adventure and fortune in battle. Desdemona merely overheard his incredible stories and requests a private recount of the stories again, a scenario that causes her to fall in love with Othello. The Duke agrees with Othello’s assessment, that his stories would win the heart of any woman, and

decides that Brabantio’s claims are unlikely. Desdemona arrives and confirms the decision by stating that she married of her own free will and for love, and that her loyalties have shifted from her father to her husband. Returning to the military matter on which the scene opened, the Duke tells Othello that his presence is

required in Cyprus to defend against the Turks. Desdemona decides she will go with him, and they leave to prepare for their journey. After the clearing of the stage, Iago and Roderigo once again discuss Roderigo’s failed attempts to woo Desdemona. Iago assures him that hope is not lost and repeatedly convinces him that he should follow

her to Cyprus, coldly declaring that love is not as powerful as Roderigo’s broken heart claims it to be. After Roderigo leaves, Iago delivers a soliloquy on the exact nature of his horrid plans. He describes his plans to take Roderigo’s money and use him, why he hates Othello so much, including his suspicions that he slept with Iago’s wife Emilia. He lays out

the entirety of his plan detailing how he will bring Othello to his death, including the ruse to fool Othello into believing Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair.

Othello and Desdemona in Venice by Théodore Chassériau (1819–1856)

Assignment #1 Read Act II of Othello: #17 LA 12 Othello Act II

Assignment #2 Jealousy = is a strong resentment against another person who might be a rival or another person who is successful or has some advantage over the jealous person. Jealousy is highly emotional and can be very destructive.

Assignment #2 cont. Envy = does not include resentment but merely the desire to have what someone else has. We are envious of material things or life styles. However, we do not wish the person ill nor is envy highly emotional.

Assignment #2 cont. Discuss these two feelings and how they can affect a person. Why are people jealous and/or envious? How would you advise a person who felt jealous of another? How would you advise a person who felt envy for another’s possessions.

English 12 - Mr. Rinka Lesson #17 Othello Acts 1 & 2