How is the relationship between Othello and Iago presented in Act 1 scene 1 and 2?

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How is the relationship between Othello and Iago presented in Act 1 scene 1 and 2?

 

Relationships play an integral role throughout Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’ as relationships are presented through his characters in various forms. The audience learn of the relationship between Othello and Iago first through Iago painting an unflattering image of Othello. It is later known, when Othello is introduced, that the relationship consists of jealousy and malice from Iago’s side and trust and nobility from Othello.

 

In the opening scene of the play the audience immediately learn Iago’s feelings towards Othello, before Othello himself is introduced. In this scene the audience are introduced to two characters; Iago and Roderigo, who are deep in conversation. Through this conversation the audience learns Iago’s feelings towards Othello and his own character, and the scene is set for conflict. The two characters on stage are disputing over Othello and Iago attempts to restore Roderigo’s faith in him by describing how much he hates Othello. He states that his main reason for his hate is the Moor because he was passed over for promotion. When describing his relationship to Othello he says he will ‘serve my turn upon him’. This is a very direct and obvious statement to the audience that Iago has manipulative and evil qualities and he wishes to plan revenge. Iago is bitter and feels Othello’s judgements are false, he paints an unflattering image of Othello and his feelings towards him are immediately known. In the same speech Iago confides in Roderigo ‘I am not what I am’. This again shows the audience that Iago is not to be trusted and openly admits he is a deceiver. From the very start of the scene it is clear that Iago and Othello’s relationship has a trust and jealousy issue, even though Othello is not present on stage. The audience do not only learn about Iago and Othello’s relationship but become accustomed to Iago’s deceitful character.

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Shakespeare uses additional characters in the play to present Iago’s genuine feelings towards Othello and allows the audience to distinguish Iago and Othello’s relationship. Iago describes Othello as ‘lascivious Moor’ and an ‘old black ram’; these crude descriptions are made in conversation between Iago and Roderigo when Othello is not present. Roderigo is used in the play to show the audience Iago’s deceitful character and to show that he delights in making trouble. Iago leads Roderigo ‘by the nose’ throughout the scene and manipulates him to wake Brabantio. In this part of the scene crude descriptions of Othello continue ...

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