Act 1, Scene 1 - Key Events Flashcards Preview

A-Level English Literature: Othello > Act 1, Scene 1 - Key Events > Flashcards

Flashcards in Act 1, Scene 1 - Key Events Deck (22)
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1
Q

How/Where/When does the scene begin?

A

Roderigo and Iago argue on a Venice street at night

2
Q

Who do Roderigo and Iago have a mutual hatred of?

A

Othello

3
Q

What does Iago rouse Brabantio about? What does he provoke in Brabantio?

A

Brabantio has been “robbed” of Desdemona

Fear

4
Q

Who do Iago, Roderigo and Brabantio search for?

A

Desdemona and Othello

5
Q

What 2 things does this scene introduce about Roderigo and Iago? What will the latter provoke later on?

A

Their deceitful partnership/Motives

Tension

6
Q

Who is Iago jealous of? What is he jealous of?

A

Cassio

Cassio got promoted to Othello’s lieutenant

7
Q

How does Iago describe Cassio?

A

A soldier with “mere prattle without practice”

8
Q

What does Iago accuse Cassio of?

A

Being promoted by “letter and affection” over “old gradation”

9
Q

Why does Iago believe Othello promoted Cassio?

A

Nepotism over talent

10
Q

What does Iago state with his motives? What quality does Iago reveal about himself?

A

“I follow him to serve my turn upon him”

Selfishness: “in following him, I follow but myself”

11
Q

How is Iago’s nature shown? What does this reveal about Roderigo?

A

“I am not what I am”

He is gullible and trusts him

12
Q

How does Roderigo use racism to describe Othello?

A

“Thick lips”

13
Q

What do Iago and Roderigo both use to mock Othello?

A

Pejorative slurs

14
Q

What imagery does Iago use to describe Othello? What is an example of this?

A

Bestial imagery

“An old black ram is tupping your white ewe”

15
Q

What does “ram” suggest? What does the colour imagery symbolise?

A

Othello is barbaric

White is purity, black is evil

16
Q

How else does Iago refer to Othello? What animal? Where does a barbary horse come from?

A

“Devil’’/”Barbary horse”

North Africa

17
Q

From Iago’s outset, what is the first impression the audience get of Othello?

A

A bestial man

18
Q

What is revealed about Desdemona? How is the action seen?

A

She has eloped with Othello

Disrespectful

19
Q

What does Brabantio remind Roderigo of after being awoken? What does this remind the audience

A

“My daughter is not for thee”

Women had little say on who they married

20
Q

What does Brabantio exclaim to Roderigo? What do some critics argue about Brabantio’s reaction?

A

“O, that you had her!”

His preference is based on racism over logic

21
Q

What does Brabantio refuse to believe about Desdemona? What does he worry Othello has done?

A

She committed “treason”

He has used his “charms”

22
Q

What did people assume about “others” from pagan lands? What does Brabantio do with this theory?

A

They used witchcraft

Assumes Othello has used witchcraft