1. Othello Character of Iago Opening Scene

2. Dramatic Impact The very first line shows that Roderigo does not believe what Iago is saying The very first line shows that Roderigo does not believe what Iago is saying “Tush, never tell me!” “Tush, never tell me!” Introducing the theme of truth and deception Introducing the theme of truth and deception It is a lively argument, carried out as they walk quickly to Brabantio’s house It is a lively argument, carried out as they walk quickly to Brabantio’s house Othello is off stage and referred to at first simply as “he” or “him” Othello is off stage and referred to at first simply as “he” or “him” How does Shakespeare intend the audience to react? How does Shakespeare intend the audience to react?

3. Iago In this first scene we also begin to make our judgement of Iago’s character In this first scene we also begin to make our judgement of Iago’s character

4. Trusted “thou, Iago, who hadst my purse As if the strings were thine.” (2-3) Roderigo shows the trust that he has put in Iago

5. Bitter He has been passed over for promotion “by the faith of man I know my price, I am worth no worse a place” He would be better suited to being Othello’s lieutenant than Cassio, who “never set a squadron in the field” Accuses Othello of being proud and boastful Accuses Othello of being proud and boastful “loving his own pride and purposes Evades them with a bombast circumstance, Horribly stuffed with epithets of war” (12-14)

6. Obsessed with rank and colour These ideas are linked in Shakespeare’s language – ‘colours’ are the flags carried by soldiers and also markers of importance These ideas are linked in Shakespeare’s language – ‘colours’ are the flags carried by soldiers and also markers of importance He mentions he has “Off-capp’d” to him He mentions he has “Off-capp’d” to him He feels he is not paid enough (30-31) He feels he is not paid enough (30-31) He calls Othello “his Moorship” – mixing the ideas of race and rank He calls Othello “his Moorship” – mixing the ideas of race and rank He talks of “preferment” and “gradation” He talks of “preferment” and “gradation” Feeling that people are promoted goes by “affection” – who you know Feeling that people are promoted goes by “affection” – who you know He hates being socially inferior to a black man He hates being socially inferior to a black man

7. Deceptive He gets Roderigo’s trust by (ironically) being open about why he serves Othello: He gets Roderigo’s trust by (ironically) being open about why he serves Othello: “I follow him to serve upon my turn.” “In following him, I follow but myself” “I am not what I am.” (66) All of these statements show that Iago helps Othello for his own betterment

8. Clever and Persuasive Iago incites Roderigo to accuse Othello to Brabantio Iago incites Roderigo to accuse Othello to Brabantio He recognises Roderigo’s feelings for Desdemona as a weakness and an opportunity which he will use to his advantage He recognises Roderigo’s feelings for Desdemona as a weakness and an opportunity which he will use to his advantage He is of a lower social class but commands Roderigo: “Rouse him…Proclaim him…” He is of a lower social class but commands Roderigo: “Rouse him…Proclaim him…”

9. Crude and Racist When they rouse Brabantio, Iago says: “Your heart is burst; you have lost half your soul; Even now, now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping, your white ewe.” His imagery is often animalistic. He sees people’s motivations as base and primitive Brabantio recognises Iago as “a villain” and a “profane wretch”

10. Writing What reasons does Iago give for hating Othello? What reasons does Iago give for hating Othello? What impression does the audience get of the character of Iago? What impression does the audience get of the character of Iago? How does the audience feel towards Othello after the first scene? How does the audience feel towards Othello after the first scene?