Othello Act 1 Scene 1

Iago, who hast my purse strings As if the strings were thine

One of the first lines of the play, Roderigo referencing Iago borrowing his money

never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows More than a spinster

Iago describing Cassio and his inexperience when talking about his appointment, also emasculating him in his analogy

I am not what I am

Iago at the end of his big speech, quote that affects how we perceive Iago for the rest of the play, especially since this comes right at the start of the play

the thick-lips

Roderigo racially stereotyping Othello in how he references him, shows significance of Othello’s race from early in the play

an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe!

Iago describing Othello and Desdemona together to Brabantio

The worser welcome

Brabantio’s response to Roderigo greeting him

My daughter is not for thee

Brabantio talking to Roderigo about Desdemona and how he can’t have her

Is there not charms, By which the property of youth and maidenhood May be abused?

Brabantio talking about how Desdemona may’ve been taken advantage of, shows his belief that Desdemona is too pure to have knowingly done this, also reveals early presumptions about the dynamics of Othello and Desdemona’s relationship

the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor

Roderigo describing how Desdemona was being taken to Othello

On, good Roderigo; I’ll deserve your pains.

Last line of the scene, Brabantio talking to Roderigo and showing his change in attitudes towards him

Iago and Roderigo speak in prose when alone with one another but shift to iambic pentameter and more formal language when with Brabantio

Nature of Iago and Roderigo’s speech in A1S1

I follow him to serve my turn upon him

Iago when Cassio asks him why he follows Othello if Othello is as terrible as he says. Outlines from the very beginning of the play Iago’s intentions and his untrustworthy nature