![]() ![]() Cassio arrives with orders for Othello: Othello is to meet with the duke and senators of Venice about a Turkish invasion of the Venetian colony of Cyprus. Act 1, scene 2 Iago warns Othello about Brabantio’s anger, but Othello is confident in his own strength and in his love for Desdemona.This news enrages Brabantio, who organizes an armed band to search out Othello. At Iago’s suggestion, he and Roderigo, a former suitor to Desdemona, awake Desdemona’s father to tell him that Desdemona has eloped with Othello. Act 1, scene 1 In the streets of Venice, Iago tells Roderigo of his hatred for Othello, who has given Cassio the lieutenancy that Iago wanted and has made Iago a mere ensign.Othello goes mad with jealousy and later smothers Desdemona on their marriage bed, only to learn of Iago’s treachery. Iago uses this and other ploys-misinterpreted conversations, insinuations, and a lost handkerchief-to convince Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are lovers. He lures Cassio into a drunken fight, for which Cassio loses his new rank Cassio, at Iago’s urging, then begs Desdemona to intervene. The Senate agrees to let her join Othello in Cyprus.In Cyprus, Iago continues to plot against Othello and Cassio. She tells of her love for Othello, and the marriage stands. The Senators wish to send Othello to Cyprus, which is under threat from Turkey. Before the Venetian Senate, Brabantio accuses Othello of bewitching Desdemona. Othello has promoted Cassio, not Iago, to be his lieutenant.Iago crudely informs Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, that Othello and Desdemona have eloped. Entire Play In Venice, at the start of Othello, the soldier Iago announces his hatred for his commander, Othello, a Moor.Janus (33) the two-faced god of the Romans. ![]() Signiory (18) here, the Venetian government. On the intellectual level, one looks up to Othello, while on the emotional level, one wonders already whether he can manage to survive. ![]() In contrast to this intellectually powerful first impression, the audience confronts Othello as a visual spectacle: a black face surrounded by white faces, some of which are characters known to be hostile to him. Othello is the powerful key figure in both stories a man to be admired. This scene shows two strands of Shakespeare's plot developing at the same time: Othello's private life, where his marriage is soon to become public knowledge, and the political crisis with the threatened attack by the Turks, where he anticipates being sent to war in a commanding position. Othello's first appearance on stage is as a man confident and in control of his life, calmly and deftly putting Brabantio's anger aside. ![]() In contrast, Brabantio's accusations are raw and direct: "Oh thou foul thief, where hast thou stowed my daughter?" (61-62). When Brabantio's party arrives and Brabantio threatens him with his sword, Othello, surrounded by people who know and value him, deflects him with a show of courtesy and respect to the older man. Othello declares himself a free man, with royal ancestors (22), who would not compromise that freedom by marriage except to Desdemona. My services which I have done the Signiory / Shall out-tongue his complaints" (18-20). Othello is confident and happy, sure that his military standing will protect him from Brabantio's personal anger: "Let him do his spite. Brabantio calls for Othello's arrest and imprisonment but cedes precedence to the Duke's summons to the emergency meeting. Brabantio's party arrives Brabantio threatens Othello with violence and accuses him of using sorcery to seduce Desdemona, his reasoning being that she would never marry Othello voluntarily. Cassio has been sent to fetch him to an urgent meeting about the situation in Cyprus. Iago warns Othello that there may be a legal attempt to break the marriage, but Othello knows his military worth to Venice and meets the Duke and Senators with confidence. ![]()
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