Act 1 of Othello

Key Information:

• Setting: Venice, late 16th century

• Themes: Jealousy, manipulation, appearance vs. reality

• Conflict: Iago's plot to manipulate Othello and destroy his life

Iago Quotes Act 1:

Important Quotes from Iago in Act 1 of Othello:

1. "I am not what I am." - Iago is referring to his deceptive nature and his ability to manipulate others. This quote highlights his duplicitous character.

2. "Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe." - Iago is referring to Othello and Desdemona, insinuating that their relationship is unnatural and scandalous. This quote sets the stage for Iago's plan to manipulate Othello's jealousy.

3. "I hate the Moor." - Iago expresses his deep-seated hatred for Othello, which serves as a motivation for his malicious actions throughout the play.

4. "Heaven is my judge, not I for love and duty, but seeming so for my peculiar end." - Iago acknowledges that he will pretend to be loyal and trustworthy while secretly pursuing his own sinister agenda.

5. "I follow him to serve my turn upon him." - Iago reveals his true intentions of using Othello for his own personal gain and revenge.

6. "I am not what I am." - This repetition emphasizes Iago's deceptive nature and his ability to manipulate others by presenting a false image.

7. "I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at." - Iago plans to pretend to be open and honest, allowing others to believe they can trust him, while he secretly plots against them.

8. "In following him, I follow but myself." - Iago suggests that his actions are driven solely by his own desires and ambitions, disregarding any loyalty or duty to others.

9. "I do suspect the lusty Moor hath leaped into my seat." - Iago suspects that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia, which fuels his resentment and desire for revenge.

   These quotes showcase Iago's manipulative nature, his deep-seated hatred for Othello, and his willingness to deceive and betray those around him. They are important because they provide insight into Iago's motivations and set the stage for the tragic events that unfold in the play.

Iago and Roderigo speak to Brabantio (Quotes)

1. "Even now, now, very now, an old black ram is tupping your white ewe." - Iago (Act I, Scene I) This quote portrays Othello as a lustful and animalistic figure, emphasizing his race and suggesting that he has slept with Desdemona.

2. "You'll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse." - Iago (Act I, Scene I) Iago uses this metaphor to imply that Othello, being a Moor, is a foreign and undesirable match for Desdemona.

3. "She has deceived her father, and may thee." - Roderigo (Act I, Scene I) Roderigo suggests that if Desdemona can deceive her own father, she may also deceive Othello, implying that she is untrustworthy.

4. "An extravagant and wheeling stranger of here and everywhere." - Iago (Act I, Scene I) Iago characterizes Othello as a mysterious and unpredictable outsider, highlighting his foreign origins and lack of familiarity with Venetian society.

5. "I follow him to serve my turn upon him." - Iago (Act I, Scene I) Iago's statement reveals his ulterior motives and sets the stage for his manipulative actions against Othello throughout the play.

These quotes are important as they establish the negative perception of Othello held by Roderigo and Iago. They exploit racial stereotypes, question Othello's integrity, and create doubt about his suitability as a husband for Desdemona. This sets the foundation for the themes of racism, manipulation, and deception that unfold in the play.

Othello:

Character Analysis:

Othello in Act 1 and Act 2 of Shakespeare's play is portrayed as a noble and respected military general. He is depicted as a confident and composed leader, highly respected by his peers.

In Act 1, Othello is shown as a calm and rational individual, displaying his ability to handle difficult situations with grace.

• Quote from Act 1: "Rude am I in my speech, and little blessed with the soft phrase of peace;” (Othello)

• This quote shows that Othello is seen as a noble and respected military general. He admits that he is not good at speaking because he has spent more time on the battlefield than in diplomatic settings. This emphasizes his commitment to his military responsibilities and his knowledge of war, which adds to his reputation as a respected leader.

In Act 2, we see a slight shift in his character as he becomes more vulnerable to manipulation and jealousy. Othello's trust in Iago leads him to doubt his wife, Desdemona, and his once strong and composed demeanor begins to crumble. This transformation sets the stage for the tragic events that unfold later in the play.

"O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on." (Act 2, Scene 1) - Iago

• This quote shows Othello's vulnerability to manipulation and how his trust in Iago leads him to doubt his wife.

"I think my wife be honest, and think she is not; I think that thou art just, and think thou art not." (Act 2, Scene 3) - Othello

• This quote demonstrates Othello's internal conflict and how his once strong and composed demeanor begins to crumble as he starts to doubt both Desdemona and Iago.

Iago:

Iago’s Plan: