Othello Act 1 Scene 1 TASK

Act 1 

1.	How does Shakespeare present the world of Venice in the first act, and how does he construct the interactions of his central characters (Iago, Othello, and Desdemona) with that Venetian world and with each other. How are these interactions complicated by the fact that Othello is a Moor and that Desdemona is a young women? To begin with, Venice is shown as being quiet without much trouble. It is a shock in the first seen when there is talk of a theft as Brabantio can not believe it, showing that this is unusual. Roderigo's behaviour is not the normal behaviour in Venice and shouting on the streets would not have been allowed. This is why there is a big deal made when he wakes brabantio up. In addition, Venice is presented as a Racist place as Othello is called racist terms such as 'Moor' by other characters.In addition there is a belief in witch craft that does not help Othello as Brabantio believes that Othello charmed or gave potions to Desdemona in order to get her to love him. There is a conflict about their marriage as Brabantio does not believe that a 'moor' is good enough for his daughter and because of Iago's scheme, Brabantio did not like Othello before meeting him. It was are for a black person to marry a white person, which is what caused the beliefs of witch craft to be thought of.
2.	What sort of person is Iago, as he appears in act 1? Are you satisfied by the reasons he gives for hating Othello? What is Iago's relationship with Roderigo? In act 1, Iago is seen to be manipulative as he increases Roderigo’s negative feelings towards Othello in order to help his plan to gain power over Othello and have Othello lose his job. Iago's reasons for not liking Othello are not strong enough for him to try and destroy Othello. Iago should have thought of a better better to earn a higher rank position instead of trying to decieve and manipulate people to gain the role. Iago and Roderigo don't appear to have a good relationship, they are bought together by their own selfish wants to over throw Othello. Roderigo places a lot of trust in Iago however Iago is usi ng Roderigo for his personnal gain and to get money.
3.	What sort of language does Iago use? What sort of language does Othello use? What might be the significance of this difference? In his opening speeches in Act I Scenes 2 and 3 Othello’s characteristic idiom is shown through the use of blank verse. This suits his status in the play and his use of blank verse also helps establish his heroism. Othello speaks with clarity and purposefully. His authority comes across in these lines, and there is a sense of both danger and beauty.