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We are introduced to the primary characters of the play. Iago feels slighted because Othello has
overlooked him for promotion in favour of Michael Cassio, while Roderigo believes that Othello is standing
in the way of his marriage to Desdemona. Together they plot their revenge.
A COMMENT ON THE PLOT
The scene opens with an introduction to all the primary characters: Iago, Roderigo, Othello, Desdemona,
Michael Cassio and Brabantio.
The fact that the scene is dominated by Iago should give us the idea that it is he who is the main character
in this play, and not Othello. It is therefore the story of an antihero. Certainly Iago is introduced as a very
powerful character, and also as an arch-manipulator.
Indeed, by the end of this scene, we already witness his ongoing manipulation of Roderigo, and how he
very easily twists such a powerful patrician as Brabantio to his plans. Later, Iago will work his magic on
both Othello and Cassio.
We are therefore introduced to the theme of MANIPULATION. Iago is the master puppeteer, pulling the
strings which control Roderigo, Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, Brabantio, as well as some of the other
lesser characters. Indeed, there is almost no-one who is not under his control.
We are also given a brief introduction into another of the great themes: SORCERY and MAGIC.
Brabantio hints at this when he says, "Is there not charms by which the property of youth and maidhood
may be abused. Have you not read, Roderigo, of such thing?"
In the next scene, this theme of sorcery will be expanded when we find that Desdemona has been
ensnared by Othello's spells. Iago himself will become more than just a puppet master: his sorcery was
so potent that he was able to make Othello act in totally unexpected ways.
In this scene, Iago feels himself slighted by Othello who has overlooked him for the position of Lieutenant
in favour of Michael Cassio, whom Iago despises. One can understand Iago's resentment because he
is a powerful leader whereas Cassio is in reality a weakling who cannot even control his own drinking
habits.
Roderigo, on the other hand, feels himself crossed by Othello for the love of Desdemona, whom Roderigo
has been desperately attempting to secure as his own wife.
Iago puts into practice a plan for both of them to gain their revenge. They awaken Brabantio, a wealthy
merchant and Desdemona's father, telling him that his daughter has eloped with Othello.
They hope, of course, that Brabantio will find Othello in an illicit love-tryst with Desdemona because then
Brabantio will be perfectly justified in having Othello thrown into prison, and thereupon rewarding Roderigo
by giving him Desdemona's hand in marriage, while Iago could perhaps score handsomely in terms of
promotion.
Have you looked at the questions
in the right column?
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TEST YOURSELF!
Read the left column and then answer
the following questions:
"Tush," says Roderigo.
" 'Sblood," says Iago.
- Comment on the use of these two invectives as an introduction to the characters of Roderigo and
Iago. (4)
[Need help?]
Roderigo will be developed as a character who is lacking in backbone, one who is soft and pliant.
Quickly in this scene we find him unable to resist the manipulation of Iago. His "tush" is therefore
an introduction to the audience of a man who has no convictions, no inner strength.
Iago, on the other hand, is immediately portrayed as a character who is strong but angry, abusive,
desirous of always getting his own way and ruthless in the attainment of his objectives. His
"Sblood" is an introduction to the audience of this manipulating man.
The word "Sblood" is a shortening of "by His blood", i.e. by Jesus Christ's blood. By using
this expression, Iago is therefore revealed as a man who does not hesitate to use blasphemy.
Indeed, the word would have had a jarring effect on the Elizabethan audience.
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RODERIGO:
Tush, never tell me; I take it much unkindly
That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse
As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.
- What does Roderigo mean when he says "never tell me"? (2)
[Need help?]
"Never tell me" possibly means "don't tell me" or "I can't believe it!"
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- In what way could Iago be said to have Roderigo's purse "as if the strings were
thine"? (4)
[Need help?]
It seems that Roderigo has been paying Iago for some favour, possibly for arranging with Brabantio for
the hand of Desdemona in marriage. If that is so, of course, one can assume that Iago has probably been
merely pocketing the money and letting Roderigo believe that he is doing something.
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- What is the implication of Iago's pulling the purse-strings? (4)
[Need help?]
There is the implication that Iago is perhaps pulling more than just Roderigo's purse-strings but possibly
playing with Roderigo like he was a puppet on a string.
Roderigo does indeed become Iago's puppet and it is possible that he alludes to it here, but without being
aware of the implication.
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IAGO:
'Sblood, but you will not hear me:
If ever I did dream of such a matter,
Abhor me.
- Why does Iago exclaim, "You will not hear me"? (2)
[Need help?]
Iago could be saying, "Why won't you listen to me?"
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- What does Iago mean when he says "If ever I did dream of such a matter, abhor
me"? (4)
[Need help?]
Iago's protest that Roderigo must "abhore" him is, of course, merely a hyperbole to place his
colleague in a bad light.
Iago will doublecross anyone -- including Roderigo -- but would prefer them not to think so. He is that
sort of amoral man, one with no morals whatever.
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Three great ones of the city,
In personal suit to make me his lieutenant,
Off-capp'd to him.
- What does Iago mean by the "three great ones of the city"? (2)
[Need help?]
The "three great ones of the city" are the three patriarchs who ruled Venice; in other words the
heads of the three most powerful families in the city.
The city-states of Renaissance Italy were often ruled over by patriarchs or heads of powerful families.
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- To whom does the personal pronoun "his" refer? In other words, whose lieutenant did Iago wish
to become? (1)
[Need help?]
Iago wished to become Othello's lieutenant.
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- What does Iago mean when he says that the three great ones "off-capp'd to
him"? (3)
[Need help?]
Iago had sought out the support of the patriarchs to take up his cause.
"Off-capp'd" could mean that the patriarchs had politely doffed their caps in respect for the great
general, Othello, but it is more likely that they approached him in a fawning, grovelling sort of way.
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