"Othello" - William Shakespeare (Acts I & II)

ACT I

1. Othello is obviously very well respected among the people and authorities of Venice. The little we hear of Iago telling Roderigo about him gives us, if anything, a negative view of him. But when he gets a chance to tell us for himself, we hear a different story. Othello tells Iago that the services he has done for the government of Venice far outweigh any problem he could cause. We find more proof of this when he is brought before the Duke to plead his case against Brabantio.
2. For one, just the idea that she did it in secret angered him. Especially since she is his only daughter, her marriage was probably something he wanted to be a part of. Also, it sounds as though there were many other men interested in her, men that he considered more worthy. We also can see that prejudice against Othello because he is a Moor. Iago and Roderigo, when telling Brabantio what has happened, make a point of contrasting Othello and Desdemona when it comes to the color of their skin. So, although Othello is a man highly respected and high up in Venetian military/government, that doesn't necessarily translate into societal workings as well.
3. He has a very cynical view of human nature. It seems that he believes all humans operate like he himself does – purely for his own purposes, doing anything he can to better himself. His comparisons to animals give us a glimpse of his “ruled by instinct” perspective. We can see that, because he thinks this, he lives his life in such a manner, always looking for ways to use those around him to push his way to the top.
4. The first reason given is simple (perhaps too simple) – Othello passed him over as choice for a lieutenant, picking Cassio instead. He later adds that it is rumored Othello has slept with his (Iago's) wife, but this doesn't seem to be that important to him – it seems to be just one more reason, and he doesn't care if it's true or not. However, I think it's just because Iago must be thoroughly a villian, through and through. If he had a good reason to hate Othello, then we might feel some sympathy for him. The fact that Shakespeare doesn't give him proper motivation only causes us, the readers (or watchers), to hate Iago even more.
5. He says that she fell in love with his stories of war and the hardships he had faced in life. “She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them.” He must be a good story-teller – after only hearing him tell about his stories, the Duke states that his own daughter would have fallen in love as well.
6. Well, now that I've read the whole thing, I know that it's inaccurate. However, as we discussed in class, Brabantio planted a seed of doubt in Othello's mind that was heavily watered and cared for by Iago and his deceit.
7. He promises him Desdemona's love, something that we can see isn't very unrealistic. But Roderigo is so blinded by his own love for Desdemona that he will believe nearly anything in order to win her. I, iii, 368-371 show us Iago's true feelings. He thinks Roderigo a fool, and is only spending time with him so that he can use him to get at Othello.
   

Favorite Quotes from ACT I:
“Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it without a prompter.” - Othello
“She wished she had not heard it, yet she wished that heaven had made her such a man. She thanked me, and bade me, if I had a friend that loved her, I should but teach him how to tell my story, and that would woo her. Upon this hint I spake. She loved me for the dangers I had passed, and I loved her that she did pity them.” - Othello
“For when my outward action doth demonstrate the native (innate) act and figure (intent) of my heart in compliment extern, 'tis not long after but I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at. I am not what I am.” - Roderigo
“Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. Good signor, you shall more command with years than with your weapons.” - Othello
“I here do give thee that with all my heart which, but thou hast already, with all my heart I would keep from thee.” - Brabantio

ACT II

1. The governor of Cyprus calls Othello a “full (or perfect) soldier,” “brave,” and “warlike.” They seem very eager for him to make it in to port safely. It causes us to think of him much more highly, for these men from a different country revere him so.
2. Iago is incredibly cruel to his wife, and in public no less. First, he accuses her of being a chatterbox. Then, he says that, while she may clean up well when they are around other, she is a truly awful person in private, even going so far to as accuse her of being unfaithful. As he goes on, we can see that his negative impressions extend to all women – frankly, he is a woman-hater, through and through. Emilia hardly defends herself either. Desdemona however, as we saw earlier, is able to hold her own among men, and argues with him quite eloquently. And, as he told us at the end of ACT I, Iago has no basis for his suspicions of Emilia except rumors. He believes them to be true simply because they give him yet another reason to hate Othello.
3. Iago must be very smooth with his words. We can see him often professing his love to Othello, but because we know all of his behind-the-scene plotting, we can obviously see that he is lying. However, we must remember that Othello knows nothing of his schemes. Othello also seems to have a weakness for praise and flattery. His is very proud, and used to those around him revering him. You'd think that someone as high profile as him would be wise to watch his back – apparently not.
4. It gives them a chance to get Cassio drunk, and therefore discredit him entirely in Othello's eyes. When they are pretty much given permission to do however they please that evening, it is inevitable that Iago will take full advantage of it.
   

Favorite Quotes from ACT II:

“Sir, would she give you so much of her lips as of her tongue she oft bestows on me, you would have enough.” - Iago
“I am not merry, but I do beguile the thing I am by seeming otherwise.” -Desdemona
“He takes her by the palm. Ay, well said, whisper. With as little a web as this will I ensare as great a fly as Cassio.” - Iago
“It gives me wonder as great as my content to see you here before me. O my soul's joy, if after every tempest come such calms, maybe the winds blow till they have wakened death. . ." -Othello
“I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking. I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment.” - Cassio
“O, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial. My reputation Iago, my reputation!” -Cassio