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The scene opens with messages that Cyprus is about to be attacked by the Turks of the Ottoman Empire.
Into the midst of this excitement comes Brabantio to appeal to the Duke for justice at Othello's elopement
with Desdemona. He accuses the Moor of seducing his daughter through magical spells and drugs.
Othello defends himself in that it was merely his stories of the battlefield -- and of the strange people
whom he encountered -- which had won Desdemona to him.
Desdemona, upon being summoned, confirms Othello's innocence. Since Brabantio will not have her
back into his house, however, she is forced to follow Othello to Cyprus.
In the meantime, Iago hatches his plot to revenge himself on Othello, as well as to win Desdemona over
to Roderigo.
OTHELLO'S DEFENCE OF HIS ACTIONS
Othello, in his defence, denied any use of magic but explained to the assembled dignitaries that Brabantio
had often invited him to his house where he had questioned him in great eagerness for the stories of his
life.
Othello's stories encompassed all the vivid imaginings of the Elizabethan era: tales of slavery and
cannibalism, descriptions of men whose heads were situated below their shoulders, who had eyes in their
chests.
Remember, of course, that few Elizabethan people had travelled even beyond their own village. Tales
of the imagination would therefore have been readily believed.
Desdemona had listened to these weird and wonderful stories, and had imagined herself involved in them.
She had even hinted to Othello that she would like to marry such a man as he, a hint that Othello had
acted upon and they had eloped together.
When Desdemona herself was brought to testify, she professed her loyalty to her father but also her
undying love for Othello, whom she referred to as her husband. Brabantio accepted this evidence but his
attitude remained niggardly and bitter.
Indeed, when it was soon learnt that Othello must immediately depart for Cyprus to command the defence
of the island, Brabantio refused to allow his daughter even to return to his house.
Instead, she was granted permission to accompany her husband to the defence of Cyprus, and in the
meantime was placed in the custody of Iago.
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:
Read the following and fill in the missing words:
This scene opens with the Duke and Senators of Venice discussing the conflicting reports that they are
hearing in connection with the fleet movements of the 1.__________ Navy. They agree that the reports
are inconsistent but it is clear that the Turks are heading for 2.__________.
Brabantio and Othello enter the stage. Brabantio says that 3.__________ has been stolen away from him
and corrupted, as she would not have gone naturally of her own free will. The Duke promises Brabantio
that the person would be punished by the rule of 4.__________ even if it is his own son. Brabantio then
points to Othello as the culprit.
Brabantio states that his daughter is a quiet and virtuous person and it is unbelievable that she would go
against the laws of nature to be seduced by a 5.__________ whom she was 6.__________ to even look
at and so, the only possible explanation is 7.__________.
Desdemona enters the stage. Othello and Brabantio both request that the Duke listen to what she has
to say. Desdemona replies that she is divided in her sense of duty as she respects her father but she
owes more 8.__________ to her husband Othello. The Council then turns to State Affairs as the Duke
explains to Othello that a large Turkish fleet is heading to Cyprus and as he knows the capability of the
fortifications there, he would be in charge and has to leave that night.
Desdemona tells all present that she is in love with Othello's inner qualities and she has devoted her soul
to his honourable nature and wishes to accompany him to Cyprus. The Duke tells Othello to leave an
officer behind who will carry further orders from the state to him in Cyprus. Othello chooses
9.__________ whom, he says, is a man of honesty and trust. Iago is left alone and from his thoughts we
learn that he hates Othello because he suspects that Othello had slept with his own wife, 10.__________.
[Need help?]
1. Turkish
2. Cyprus
3. Desdemona
4. Law
5. Creature
6. Afraid/scared
7. Drugs/witchcraft
8. Loyalty
9. Iago
10. Emilia
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Decide whether each of the following statements is TRUE or FALSE, or whether there is NOT ENOUGH
EVIDENCE to decide.
- Othello has slept with Emilia.
[Need help?]
The only evidence we have for this comes from Iago but we know how VERY untrustworthy he is. Even
then, Iago himself says he doesn't believe it.
The probability is therefore that the statement is FALSE although you could be forgiven if you said that
there is simply NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE to decide.
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- Iago has slept with Emilia.
[Need help?]
Emilia is Iago's wife, is she not? Therefore it is probably safe to assume that Iago did in fact sleep with
her, although this is not actually mentioned.
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- Iago is jealous of Michael Cassio.
[Need help?]
Iago is indeed VERY jealous of Michael Cassio whom Othello has appointed as his right hand man rather
than Iago.
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- Desdemona is a flirtatious, wanton woman.
[Need help?]
There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that Desdemona is a flirtatious, wanton woman. If anything,
she is hopelessly in love with Othello.
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- Roderigo paid Iago to break up Othello's marriage.
[Need help?]
Roderigo did indeed pay Iago to break up Othello's marriage. Roderigo was besotted over Desdemona
and contemplated drowning himself when he heard that she had married Othello.
He was persuaded by Iago, however, to lay over great sums of money for Iago to break up the marriage.
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- Othello wants everyone to celebrate his wedding.
[Need help?]
Othello, at least in the early stages of the play, is the archetypal gentleman. Although it appears that he
eloped with Desdemona and married her without even the consent of her father, nevertheless he would
be very keen that all should celebrate with him.
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- Michael Cassio is an alcoholic.
[Need help?]
This is probably FALSE. There is little evidence to suggest that Michael Cassio is an alcoholic, although
it is true that he cannot hold his alcohol too well. In other words, he gets drunk easily and, once drunk,
loses control of himself and his actions.
Indeed, if it were true, it is highly unlikely that Othello would have trusted him and promoted him to such
a high position in the defence of Venice.
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- It was customary to kiss a woman's hand.
[Need help?]
Kissing a woman's hand was very much an Elizabethan custom.
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- Roderigo and Othello are the only men who love Desdemona.
[Need help?]
Does not Brabantio love his daughter as well? It is true that he is so angry with her for eloping with Othello
that he refuses to have her back into his house but this is the result of momentary anger and should not
be confused with a loss of love.
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