Othello - Act 1

Othello - Act 1

1. Scene 1

   • Iago & Roderigo talking negatively about Othello
   • Iago briefly tells audience of his plan
     • I follow him to serve my turn upon him (1.1.41)
   • Iago commands Roderigo to awake Brabantio - Desdemona's father - to tell him about Othello & Desdemona's secret marriage
   • Brabantio is persuaded by them to try and end the marriage
   • Roderigo declares his love for Desdemona but Brabantio dismisses it
   • Ends with Brabantio and Roderigo going to the duke to settle the marrage dispute

2. Scene 2

   • First appearance of Othello, along with Iago
   • Othello confirms his love for Desdemona
     • I love the gentle Desdemona (1.2.25)
   • Newly-promoted Cassio enters to bring news of the Ottomans invading Cyprus
   • Cassio refers to Iago as 'ancient'
   • Fight between Othello & Iago and co. vs Brabantio & Roderigo and co.
     • Iago deliberately goes for Roderigo to ensure neither of them get hurt

3. Scene 3

   • Duke & senators discuss matters of war against the Ottomans
   • The party of Othello, Iago, Roderigo, Brabantio, etc. enter to discuss the matters of Othello's marriage to Desdemona
   • Brabantio tells Duke that Othello 'stole' his daughter by using magic
   • Othello confirms his marriage to Desdemona and she gave him consent to do so
     • Says that when he visited, he would tell Desdemona stories of his battles which made her feel sorry for him
   • Desdemona is brought it to confirm what Othello said
   • Brabantio denounces Desdemona
   • Discussion goes back to the war against the Ottomans
   • Desdemona wants to go with Othello who says Iago can take care of her on the journey to Cyprus
   • Roderigo upset, wants to "drown myself"
   • Put money in thy purse
   • Iago thinks he has been cuckolded by Othello