Act 1, Scene 2 AO1: What happens in this scene? - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Act 1,

Scene 2

AO1: What happens in this scene?

Look at your notes and quickly summarise.Slide2

We meet Othello for the first time in this scene.

What opinion do we form of him? Does it match the opinions we have heard in Act 1 Scene 1? Note: throughout this scene, Othello speaks in blank verse. This expresses a controlled and measured calm.Slide3

He’s described as…There are several contrasts between how Othello is

described in Scene 1, and how he acts in Scene 2 proud and selfish – “loving his own pride and purposes” (1.1.12).sexual – “lascivious” (1.1.127).a savage, uncivilised “thing” (line 71) an “old black ram” and a “devil” (1.1.89-92).immoral – a “foul thief” (line 62) using “foul charms” (line 73). Slide4

“scurvy and provoking terms”

Line 8:“Let him do his spite”Line 19:“I must be found”Line 33:Character Introduction: What do these lines tell us about Othello? AO2Iago does his best to stir up trouble when he tells Othello that Brabantio has spoken against him inWhat does Othello’s response suggest?Slide5

“scurvy and provoking terms”

Line 8:“Let him do his spite”Line 19:“I must be found”Line 33:Character Introduction: What do these lines tell us about Othello? AO2Iago does his best to stir up trouble when he tells Othello that Brabantio has spoken against him inWhat does Othello’s response suggest?These lines suggest that Othello is willing to face the consequences of his actions. He later appeals for calm and, when he is accused of evil enchantments, says:“Hold your hands, Both you of my inclining, and the rest: Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it”Lines 95-97:Othello is the opposite of Iago: he seeks to resolve conflict.Slide6

“My parts, my title and my perfect soul

Shall manifest me rightly.”Lines 34-5:“Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.”Line 71:“I love the gentle Desdemona”Line 27:Character Introduction: What do these lines tell us about Othello? AO2Is this pride or a man defending his reputation in the face of attack?What does his command to Brabantio’s followers tell us?Note the poetic image he uses – what does this suggest? What does his choice of language suggest?Slide7

“My parts, my title and my perfect soul

Shall manifest me rightly.”Lines 34-5:“Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.”Line 71:“I love the gentle Desdemona”Line 27:Character Introduction: What do these lines tell us about Othello? AO2Is this pride or a man defending his reputation in the face of attack?It could be both! He is confident in his own reputation and that he has done nothing wrong.1. He is used to commanding and is a successful soldierThis is the first sincere reference to love in the playOthello’s positive view of his relationship with Desdemona is in conflict with the way it is perceived by others‘Gentle’ is a pun: it means kind-hearted and noble by birth2. He has some love for battleDoes Shakespeare reinforce or undermine the view of Othello as a romantic hero?Slide8

AO3:Context to key image

“By Janus, I think no.”Line 6:In ancient Roman religion and myth, Janus is the god of beginnings and transitions, and thereby of gates, doors, doorways, passages and endings. He is usually depicted as having two faces, since he looks to the future and to the past. Janus presided over the beginning and ending of conflict, and hence war and peace.Why might Iago be associated with Janus?Slide9

Language Study: Insults, Crudity and Racism

“boarded a land caract”Iago tells Cassio that Othello has (Line 57)A carrack, a large Spanish ship used for war or as a merchant vessel.The implication is that it is loaded with treasure.One meaning of this is that Othello is a pirate, echoing Brabantio’s accusation that he is a “foul thief” (line 74).Another is a slur on Desdemona: ‘Land Carrack’ was slang for a prostitute. Othello has ‘boarded’ a whore.Slide10

Character Introduction: What do these lines tell us about

Cassio? Is he the inexperienced fool described by Iago in Act 1 Scene 1? “CASSIO I do not understand. IAGO He's married. CASSIO To who?.”He does not understand Iago’s crude joke about the caract. Ironic, as Iago will later cast him in the role of seducer.Othello did not tell him about his marriage to Desdemona. (He did tell Iago!) Is he trusted? Lines 59-61:Slide11

Character Introduction: What do these lines tell us about

Cassio? Is he the inexperienced fool described by Iago in Act 1 Scene 1? “The duke does greet you, general, And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance,Even on the instant.”He delivers his urgent summons from the Duke in a way that makes it clear it is very important.Lines 40-42:Slide12

Language Study: Insults, Crudity and Racism

BRABANTIO O thou foul thief, where hast thou stow'd my daughter? 75 Damn'd as thou art, thou hast enchanted her; For I'll refer me to all things of sense, If she in chains of magic were not bound, Whether a maid so tender, fair and happy,So opposite to marriage that she shunned 80The wealthy curled darlings of our nation, Would ever have, to incur a general mock, Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom Of such a thing as thou, to fear, not to delight.Judge me the world, if 'tis not gross in sense 85That thou hast practised on her with foul charms, Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals That weaken motion: I'll have't disputed on; 'Tis probable and palpable to thinking.I therefore apprehend and do attach thee 90For an abuser of the world, a practiser Of arts inhibited and out of warrant. Lay hold upon him: if he do resist, Subdue him at his peril.How does the negative language used here dehumanise Othello? AO3: These references to witchcraft and evil reflect Renaissance beliefs about the nature of evil: firstly, that witches were real; secondly, the Elizabethan association of black men with the devil.Like Roderigo?Slide13

“For if such actions may have passage free,

Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be”