Othello Act one Question Answers

ACT ONE QUESTIONS

1. Shakespeare involves the audience by getting them engaged in the somewhat heated argument that takes place between Roderigo and Iago. The play begins just as they are getting into their conversation which forces the audience to listen and read more to find out about the conflict they are discussing.

1. Iago uses imagery to try and make Brabantio angry. Iago describes Othello as a thief who stole Desdemona from her father. He also uses racial imagery stating that Othello is black and Desdemona is white.  
   
2. Iago gained Roderigo’s trust by telling him that he too hate Othello because Othello did not make him lieutenant. Iago also sympathizes with the fact that Roderigo loves Desdemona, but Othello stole her from Roderigo. Iago gives Roderigo reasons why he hates Othello to gain his trust.  

1. The Turkish ships have been spotted sailing into Cyprus.

1. Because Othello was actually able to convince the Duke and senators that he and desdemona are truly in love, and that he did not use magic on her. The Duke also needs Othello’s experience and bravery to fight the turkish Sailors in Cyprus.

1. Brabantio is very racist towards Othello. He believes Othello had used magic on Desdemona to make her fall in love with him because his daughter would never fall in love with a black man. We are told that in the past Brabantio had liked Othello and had invited him to their house many times, but this has changed since he found out Othello married his daughter.

1. Othello says they fell in love when he had told Desdemona the tragic stories of his past. He invited Desdemona herself to testify that they are truly in love, and that he did not use magic to cause heer to fall in love with him. Desdemona later comes into the scene and announces that their love for eachother is real.

1. She shows that she is truly in love with Othello. She creates a proper impression and gives off the impression of a noble maiden who is telling the truth about her love toward Othello.

1. Iago convinced Roderigo to sell his land so that he would have lots of money to try win Desdemona over from Othello. This would help him in his desire to ruin Othello’s life out of the anger he has towards him.  

1. The irony surrounding Iago is that he shows his hatred toward Othello to Roderigo in the beginning of the act, but shows his loyalty and obedience to Othello when he is around him. Iago is secretly planning to ruin Othello’s life out of hatred, but acts sincere when face to face with Othello himself.
2.     His status as a tragic hero is established because to him it seems as everything is perfect in his life. He’s respected by the Duke, and has married the love of his life. But little does he know, Iago is planning to ruin his “perfect” life, and Othello knows nothing about it.

1. We learn that Iago is planning to ruin Othello’s life. He plans to do this because of the hatred he gained towards Othello when he chose a different less experienced lieutenant over Iago.