Act 1

Question 1

‘He prated/ and spoke such scurvy and provoking terms/ against your honour’

Answer 1

Themes: apperance vs reality, manipulation
This again is where the audience is introduced to Iago’s duplicity, as his reference to male honour suggests he wants to protect Othello by telling him what has been said that may deface his name, yet his previous derogatory descriptions prove otherwise

Question 2

‘Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them’

Answer 2

Themes: rationality, race
Metaphor - Othello is unafraid of the challenge proposed by Barbantio, suggesting he is assured in his love for Desdemona and maybe that he is used to this challenge due to his status as ‘other’

Question 3

‘Thou hast practised on her with foul charms/ abused her delicate youth’

Answer 3

Themes: race, attitudes to women
Barbantio continues with descriptions of Othello as violent and evil, which was seen in Scene 1; however, the audience takes a different view on this now, noticing his hypocrisy as the introduction of Othello proves it incorrect