Othello Act 1

Characters

100

This character is Othello's ensign, outwardly loyal but secretly plotting against him.

Iago 

200

The Venetian senator is Desdemona's father, enraged over her secret marriage

Brabantio 

300

This character is rejected suitor of Desdemona who allies with Brabantio 

Roderigo 

400

Othello promoted this man to lieutenant instead of Iago, sparking Iago's resentment 

Cassio 

500

This is Othello's rank/role in the Venetian army, and his ethnicity as described in the play 

Moorish general 

Quotes & Devices

100

Iago says this about himself alluding to and inverting God's biblical statement "I AM THAT I AM."

"I am not what I am"

200

This animal metaphor, used by Iago to wake Brabantio, dehumanizes Othello and Desdemona's relationship. 

"An old black ram is tupping your white ewe"

300

This repeated word, shouted by Iago and Roderigo outside Brabantio's house, creates panic and urgency 

Thieves 

400

Othello uses this witty metaphor involving weather to disarm Brabantio's men without violence 

"Put away your swords, they'll get rusty in the dew"

500

Brabantio accuses Othello of this supernatural act, refusing to believe Desdemona could love him genuienly

Witchcraft/enchantment

Plot & Scenes

100

This is the setting (time and place) of Act 1 

Street and Venice at night 

200

This is the political crisis that summons Othello to the Duke in Scene 2

Cyprus crisis

300

This is what Iago claims he "held back" from doing to Roderigo, to make himself seem restrained and honorable 

killing/murdering him 

400

This is what Brabantio decides to do at the end of Scene 2, instead of settling things in the street. 

Bring his accusation to the Duke/Senate 

500

This is the reason Iago gives Roderigo for hating Othello at the very start of Scene 1

Being passed over for promotion (Cassio becoming lieutenant instead of Iago)

Themes

100

This theme is driven by Iago's resentment and desire for revenge against Othello 

Jealousy 

200

This theme is shown through animalistic, dehumanizing language used to describe Othello

Racial prejudice 

300

This theme describes the contrast between the false image created by prejudice/manipulation and Othello's real character 

Deception vs reality 

400

This device, where the audience knows something characters dont, runs throughout the Act 1 because of Iago's true nature

Dramatic Irony 

500

Shakespeare pairs "daughter" with this word in Iago's wake-up call to Brabantio, reflecting the patriarchal view of women as property 

"Money bags"

Tragic Hero & Effect on Reader

100

This literary term describes Othello's tragic flaw, his excessive trust and insecurity (inevitable downfall)

hamartia 

200

This is the epithet other characters repeatedly use to describe, despite the audience knowing its false 

Honest Iago 

300

This is the effect on the audience created by wathcing Iago manipulate everyone while Othello remains unaware 

Tension/fear

400

Othello's high social position and admirable qualities (courage, honesty, loyalty) fulfill this requirement of the tragic hero archetype 

High status/nobility 

500

This insecurity , stemming from Othello's status as a Moor in white Venetian society, is what allows Iago's manipulation to eventually succeed

Sense of not belonging/ racial insecurity