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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.
IAGO'S HATRED FOR OTHELLO
Iago provides us with absolutely no reason for his hatred of Othello.
He claims at one time that Othello has slept with his wife (Emilia) and that he will get his revenge "for
mere suspicion" -- in other words, he needs no real reason whatsoever.
Nevertheless, he gives no proof for this suspicion and in fact states that he himself doesn't really believe
it. Nevertheless, he still intends to get his revenge just at the idea of it.
A more understandable reason is that Othello has promoted Michael Cassio to be his 2nd in Charge even
though he is incompetent for the position.
Iago, on the other hand, has been promoted only to be Othello's Aide-de-Camp or Ancient -- i.e. his 3rd
in Command -- even though he believes he is more competent than Michael Cassio.
This, however, happens all the time in life and one has to live with it, not seek revenge every time it
happens -- otherwise one will live a life that is absolutely full of hatred.
Apart from that, Iago appears to be full of anger and resentment, and spends his life attempting to revenge
himself on someone or something. Ultimately, of course, he will come unstuck. It usually happens.
There is a psychological term for someone like Iago: One who believes he is the centre of the universe
whom everyone should love. Do you know what the term is?
Does Iago have any morals whatever? He appears to be a totally amoral person who will wreak havoc
for the mere enjoyment of it. There lurks in him an evil which is impossible to explain.
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:
"Thus do I ever make my fool my purse."
- Explain the meaning of the term "my fool". (4)
[Need help?]
The term "fool" meant two things in Elizabethan times.
First, it denoted an idiot who could not think properly and could therefore be manipulated.
On the other hand, the fool was also the court jester, the man whose task it was to make the king laugh
and so relax him.
It is not clear which meaning Iago has in mind. Certainly the first. But does he also see Roderigo as his
court jester who amused him? Quite probably.
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- In what way does Iago make the fool "my purse"? (4)
[Need help?]
Roderigo has been paying Iago handsomely to arrange with Brabantio for Desdemona to be his bride.
Now Iago intends to make him pay handsomely once more to break up Othello's marriage which will then
possibly afford Roderigo the opportunity to befriend Desdemona and thereby still obtain her hand in
marriage.
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"I mine own gain'd knowledge should profane
If I would time expend with such a snipe
But for my sport and profit."
- What does Iago mean by this? (4)
[Need help?]
Iago expresses his utter contempt for Roderigo "a snipe". He claims it would defile his integrity
as a person even to associate with such a person.
On the other hand, he sees Roderigo as some form of clown or court jester whom it is fun to bait and fool
around with, and even to get Roderigo to pay him money for unattainable tasks like getting the hand of
Desdemona in marriage.
In short, Iago has nothing but contempt for Roderigo.
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"I hate the Moor;
And it is thought abroad that 'twixt my sheets
He has done my office: I know not if't be true;
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety."
- Has Othello slept with Emilia, Iago's wife? Give reasons for your answer. (4)
[Need help?]
It is highly unlikely that Othello has slept with Emilia.
Although he has indeed eloped with Desdemona, it does not appear to be in Othello's nature to commit
adultery with someone else's wife, especially the wife of someone whom he trusts.
Furthermore, our knowledge of this "rumour" comes from Iago whom we already know as a
scurrilous person whom we should never trust.
What's more, even Iago confesses that it is just a rumour which he himself does not believe.
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- Does Iago believe that Othello has slept with his wife? How do you know? (2)
[Need help?]
No, Iago does not believe the rumour. He says quite clearly, "I know not if't be true".
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- Why does Iago hate Othello? (4)
[Need help?]
Iago provides us with absolutely no reason to hate Othello.
He says he will get his revenge on Othello "for mere suspicion" -- in other words, he needs no
real reason whatsoever.
Does Iago have any morals whatever? He is a totally amoral person who will wreak havoc for the mere
enjoyment of it. These words alone speak to us of an evil which is impossible to explain.
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"The better shall my purpose work on him."
- Why does Iago believe that he will succeed in his plot? (2)
[Need help?]
Iago sees Othello as incredibly naive. He believes he can persuade Othello to do anything.
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"Cassio's a proper man: let me see now;
To get his place, and to plume up my will
In double knavery."
- What does Iago mean when he says that Cassio is "a proper man"? (2)
[Need help?]
A "proper man" in Renaissance times was one who matched up to the standard of manhood in
every way: in manners and dress, in the way in which he conducted himself and in his honesty.
In other words, Cassio is in every way a gentleman.
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- What is the "double knavery" of which he speaks? (4)
[Need help?]
A "knave" is defined as a rogue or a scoundrel.
Iago is every bit a knave. But he intends to act "in double knavery", i.e. to be a rogue twice over.
The first is to make Othello believe that his wife is unfaithful to him.
The second is to make him believe that his most trusted lieutenant, Michael Cassio the quintessential
Renaissance gentleman, has committed adultery with Desdemona.
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"After some time, to abuse Othello's ear
That he is too familiar with his wife."
[Need help?]
The plan is to persuade Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him by sleeping with his trusted
lieutenant, Michael Cassio.
Hopefully that would cause Othello to erupt in temper and kill Cassio which, in turn, would lead to Othello's
arrest for murder.
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