Othello Act I Study Guide

Act I Scene I

1. In Act I, Scene I why does Iago say he hates Othello?

2. Why does Roderigo hate Othello?

3. What does Iago mean when he says, “I follow him to serve my turn upon him. We cannot all be masters, nor all masters cannot be truly followed” in lines 45-47 (p. 9) and later “In following him I follow but myself” in line 64 (p. 10)?

4. In Act I, Scene I what is Iago’s plan to get Othello and Desdemona in trouble?

5. Why does Iago refer to Othello and Desdemona’s physical relationship by comparing them to animals?

6. How does Brabantio’s attitude toward Roderigo change in the course of the this scene?

7. What is Brabantio’s explanation of why his daughter has run off with Othello?

Act I Scene II 1. Of what danger does Iago warn Othello at the beginning of the scene?

2. Why does Cassio come to summon Othello to the Duke?

3. What does Brabantio accuse Othello of doing? Where does he want Othello to go?

Act I Scene III

1. How does Othello’s speech describing how his love with Desdemona grew dispel (contradict) the idea that he used magic or witchcraft to entice her?

2. In this scene, what do we learn about why Desdemona was attracted to Othello? Also, why was he attracted to her?

3. After Desdemona is summoned to speak for herself, how is her response to her father’s question on line 208 evidence that she is loyal to her husband?

4. What does Desdemona mean when she speaks of her ‘divided duty’ (line 209)?

5. Where will Desdemona live while Othello is sent to Cyprus? 6. Who will accompany Desdemona to Cyprus?

7. How does Iago manipulate Roderigo at the end of this scene? What does Roderigo want to do and what does Iago convince him to do?

8. What are at least 3 reasons Iago hates Othello?

9. Why is Cassio a particularly handy scapegoat for Iago’s plot? (p. 55)

Act I Quotes: Be able to name the speaker and explain what each quote shows, in specific detail.

“I follow him to serve my turn upon him. / We cannot all be masters, nor all masters / Cannot be truly followed” (Scene I lines 45-47)

Speaker: Explanation:

“I am not what I am” (Scene I line 71)

Speaker: Explanation: “I am one, sir that comes to tell you your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs” (Scene I lines 129-131)

“She is abused, stol’n from me, and corrupted / (…) / For nature so prepost’rously to err-- / Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense -- / Sans witchcraft could not” (Scene 3 lines 73-77)

“Rude am I in my speech, / And little blessed with the soft phrase of peace” (scene 3 lines 96-97)

“She loved me for the dangers I had passed, / And I loved her that she did pity them. / This only is the witchcraft I have used” (scene 3 lines 193-195)

Speaker: Explanation: “I do perceive here a divided duty” (scene 3 line 209)

“If virtue no delighted beauty lack, / Your son-in-law is far more fair than black” (scene 3 lines 330-331)

“Look to her Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. / She has deceived her father, and may thee” (scene 3 lines 333- 334)

“My life upon her faith!” (Scene 3 line 335)

“I hate the Moor, / And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets / ‘has done my office” (Scene 3 lines 429- 431)