Act 1, Scene 1

Act 1, Scene 1

1. "Barbary horse"

   • Black men were considered as beasts during sex

2. Iago self-interest

   • "In following him I follow but myself [...] I am not what i am"
     • Capacity to hide feelings and motives so his actions don't reveal them

3. "Old black ram is tupping your white ewe"

   • Black: devil
   • White: purity
   • Othello contaminating Desdemona's purity

4. "Spinster"

   • Old woman, unmarried, inexperienced in sex
     • Like Cassio, unexperienced in battles

5. "Your daughter and the moor are making the beast with two backs"

   • Animal imagery
     • Othello's the animal

6. Iago & Roderigo argument about love for Desdemona

7. Iago: "Thieves thieves!"

   • Desdemona stolen
     • Women were properties of men; father or husband
       • She has been stolen from her father