A Level English - Othello - Act 1 Key Quotes

"I am not what I am"

Act 1, Scene 1 - Iago

- parodic allusion to biblical quote - Exodus 3:14

- Mimics God’s language demonstrates arrogance + by using it in a negative manner reveals his identity as a diabolical figure.

- warning to others, shows him as a compelling villain, audience would see impact, implicit comparison to God

"an old black ram is tupping your white ewe."

Act 1, Scene 1 - Iago

- Binary opposites of white + black

- Othello represents evil + the Devil

- Desdemona is pure + delicate

- Suggests they shouldn't be together + an interracial relationship is wrong. Desdemona is also described in animal terms, indicating that the men do not think of her as an equal human being.
Crude and animalistic way to say they're having sex, dehumanises Othello and makes Desdemona seem vulnerable.
Uses prejudice as a tool to manipulate Brabantio, describing Othello as an animaland sex with Desdoma as bestial. Iago also makes use of the fact that Brabantio will feel his manly honor challenged by his daughter's having sex.

"I love the gentle Desdemona I would not my unhoused free condition put into circumscription and confine'“

Act 1, Scene 2 - Othello

- first mention of her name

- Views marriage as a state of confinement

- Patriarchal views - same as audience

"Not I, I must be found. My parts, my title and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly"

Act 1, Scene 2 - Othello

feels he has to face the truth and justify himself-

'Must"- bravery, possibly hubris (ego)

'Not I'- Warrior, status, leader, brave

'Found'- Lost? relates to his past as a 'slave'

'My parts, my title and my perfect soul'- Hubris, status, better than others

'My parts'- Honesty, importance

'My', personal pronoun--> relates to his hubris and power (status) compared to Iago

My Title'- rights. honor and dignity

'perfect soul'- hubris, 'perfect' Othello sees nothing wrong with his character, pride will cause his downfall, thinks he won't be able to miss anything (Iago however, manipulates him)

'Manifest'- justify him. metaphor?

his 'parts' are not going to talk, he is.

His 'rude' speech will manifest him. He has to act modest and not like he has an ego the size of an elephant.

'My'- repetition of 'my' suggests Othello is possibly self centered and sees nothing in relation to those lower than him.he must maintain respect to live up to his status.

"By Janus! I think not"

Act 1, Scene 2 - Iago

Janus: the Roman God with two faces (one looking to future, one looking to past)

swears by a pagan deity

foreshadowing - Iago begins with all the issues, and all end when he is caught even if the majority of characters die

horror and disbelief in Othello's opinion

demonstrates his manipulative nature

evokes fear in audience

"O thou foul thief… damned as thou art, thou has enchanted her"

Act 1, Scene 2 - Brabantio

- Repeated emphasis on magic - belief that Othello has bewitched Desdemona

- Cannot conceive that she chose him of her own free will

- Echoes Iago + Roderigo through recurring idea of thief

- Upheld idea of Othello being a thief

- Depicts Desdemona as a property

“Most potent, grave and reverend signiors… this old man’s daughter… Rude am I in my speech”

Act 1, Scene 3

- Othello to Senate members
- Flattering them to prove he is not evil

- Persuasive technique

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