Othello Act 1 Scene 3

A Turkish fleet… bearing up to Cyprus

A senator describing the approach of a Turkish fleet to Cyprus

My particular grief Is of so flood-gate and o’erbearing nature That it engluts and swallows other sorrows

Brabantio describing his unbearable grief at losing Desdemona, shows how deeply he cared for her

Send for the lady… And let her speak of me before her father

Othello asking the Senate to let Desdemona speak for herself

If you do find me foul in her report… let your sentence Even fall upon my life

Othello’s confidence that Desdemona will not speak poorly of him, shows how close they are

“cannibals that each other eat”, “men whose heads Do grow beneath their shoulders”, “rough quarries, rocks and hills whose heads touch heaven”

Details from Othello’s “travels’ history” that he used to woo Desdemona. Somewhat fantastic and hyperbolic in nature (namely “touch heaven”) which perhaps implies he is sculpting his speech to be more convincing

I think this tale would win my daughter too, Good Brabantio

The Duke showing that he understands how Desdemona was wooed by Othello’s stories, but also empathising with Brabantio’s position as a father

My noble father, I do perceive here a divided duty; To you I am bound for life and education

Desdemona acknowledging her responsibility to both Othello and her father and acknowledging what her father has done for her

The fact that he rhymes when talking in favour of Desdemona and Othello (shows eloquence, which Brabantio then mocks), slips out of iambic pentameter when talking about the plans for Cyprus (shows a solemn level of seriousness)

Structural features in the Duke’s speech and what they signify

What would you, Desdemona

Question that the Duke poses to Desdemona (to which she replies “I did love the Moor to live with him”) which shows that she has proved herself to be intelligent, responsible and capable of making her own decisions - highly unusual for a woman to be asked to speak in a forum such as this

Your son-in-law is more fair than black

Duke quote to show that Othello defies contemporary racial stereotypes

I will incontinently drown myself.

Single sentence line from Roderigo after O+D have left about how miserable he is now that D is in love with someone else

a frail vow betwixt an erring barbarian and a supersubtle Venetian

Iago describing O+D’s marriage

- put money in thy purse -

Iago’s repeated phrase that interjects the rest of his dialogue, shows his intense manipulation of Roderigo

‘twixt my sheets He’s done my office. I know not if’t be true

Iago saying that Othello slept with Emelia

Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: She has deceived her father, and may thee

Brabantio’s final lines in the play. Telling O to be wary of D as she has betrayed her own father, may too betray O. Rhyming couplet, adds even more weight tohis words. “eyes to see” - establishing early on the importance of ocular proof