Othello - Act 1 Scene 1

Question 1

“Who hast my purse as if the strings were thine”

Answer 1

-> Simile - Roderigo is Iago’s puppet, implying Iago’s manipulative nature.
-> Refers to money (purse) - suggests the relationship between them is merely a business transaction.
-> One of the first lines in the play - immediately questions Iago’s honesty/ intentions

Question 2

“The Moor”

Answer 2

-> Defined by his race
-> Not once has Othello been referred to by his name

Question 3

“Horribly stuffed with epithets of war”

Answer 3

-> Metaphor
-> Iago’s insulting Othello’s language - calling jt deformed and unclear. Racist implications, saying he can’t speak well or about a variety of topics.

Question 4

“I follow him to serve my turn upon him: we cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed”

Answer 4

-> Ironic, he is telling Roderigo he is untrustworthy despite his future betrayal.
-> Iago’s duplicity extends a master - servent paradox in lit (look at notes idk)

Question 5

“I am not what I am”

Answer 5

-> Reference to the bible - God states “I am what I am” Iago inverts this line. Devilish?
-> Iago views himself as the puppeteer (like God)

Question 6

“Look to your house, your daughter and your bags! Thieves! Thieves!”

Answer 6

-> Links to the idea of women as a possession - “your daughter” is embedded within his listening , suggesting she is comparable (in terms of value)
-> Could also be racial - Iago claiming Othello is a thief due to his skin colour.

Question 7

“An old black ram is tupping your white ewe”

Answer 7

-> Iago’s words are meant to be horrifying (vulgar)
-> “ewe” - symbol of innocence, links to Desdemona.
-> Bringing attention to age + skin colour.
-> Zoomorphism - Iago views people as lesser than.
-> “your” women as possessions again.