1. Othello Act 1 Scene 2 Notes

2. Notes - Act 1, Scene 2 Setting: Venice Characters:Iago Othello Michael Cassio Roderigo Brabantio

3. Important Events Iago warns Othello of Brabantio’s anger Cassio arrives with orders for Othello Othello is to meet with the Duke and senators about a Turkish invasion of Cyprus Brabantio and his armed band come to seize Othello Othello persuades Brabantio to accompany him to the Duke where Brabantio can present his case against Othello for his “theft” of Desdemona

4. Iago: “The smiling villain”

5. Iago Intelligent, vulgar and manipulative “Smiling villain” (worst type of villain) Duplicitous - “two-faced” Sees himself as the instrument of hell Only loves and cares for himself

6. “I am not what I am.” Iago says this (perhaps his most honest statement) Biblical allusion as this is an evil twist of what God says about [Himself], “I am what I am.” Iago shows the world one face and has another when others are not around.

8. Iago feigns… Loyalty Friendship Honesty

9. Iago: A complex character Iago is one of Shakespeare's most intriguing and plausible villains. He frequently takes the audience into his confidence, a device that encourages close observation of his consummate skill as he manipulates his prey and watches his deceptions wreak havoc.

10. Iago Continues his lies He invokes the god Janus Who is Janus?

12. Janus In Roman religion, the god of beginnings One of the principal Roman gods The custodian of the universe The first hour of the day, the first day of the month and the first month of the year were sacred to him (bears his name)

13. Janus Usually represented with two bearded heads placed back to back so that he might look in two directions as the same time. His festival was celebrated on January first

14. Othello A Moor A Venetian general Considered a good leader Popular with the people of Venice, especially the city leaders and the Duke

15. Othello has many interesting stories about his adventures He shares these stories with Desdemona and she falls in love with him

17. Othello’s Tragic Flaw Some say Othello’s tragic flaw is his passion and jealousy, however a more modern interpretation says it is his insecurity. Additionally, he allows others to think for him.

18. Michael Cassio A soldier from Florence fighting for Venice Othello’s lieutenant Friends with Desdemona A gentleman Very handsome Loves Bianca

19. Brabantio Believes Othello bewitched Desdemona Also thinks Othello used drugs on Desdemona Reinforces stereotypes about Africans and “black magic”

20. “Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her!” (1.2.77)

21. Brabantio and Othello Brabantio uses his position as Senator to get Othello. However, the Senate is not concerned about Desdemona, their concern is the impending war. Othello is not threatened; he is confident and proud of his heritage. In addition, he knows that Desdemona loves him.