The entry of Othello and Brabantio is very dramatic as they have interrupted an important meeting about the threat from the Ottoman Empire. Brabantio is outraged at Desdemona’s secret marriage saying, “Take hold on me, for my particular grief”. This shows Brabantio is extremely upset and feels betrayed. A Senator then asks Brabantio if his daughter is dead, Brabantio replies “Ay, to me”. Brabantio is very over dramatic here, he makes the situation seem a lot worse than it is this serves to build up more tension. Shakespeare uses a lot of dramatic irony, when the audience are aware of the situation but not all characters are aware, when the Duke says Brabantio can throw “the bloody book of law”. The Duke is reassuring Brabantio that whoever has abused Desdemona will be punished. However the Duke is unaware that Brabantio is referring to Othello. The Duke greets Othello by calling him “valiant moor” this shows that the Duke thinks very highly of Othello. They also need Othello to go to war with the Ottoman Empire. The Duke soon changes his opinion on Desdemona being abused when he finds out that it is Othello and this influences the audience to think that Othello is brave and has positive characteristics. This is a massive contrast to the end of the play. At the end of the play Othello is thought to be a jealous character, which is a negative characteristic. Brabantio is very over dramatic and also sometimes racist, saying, “By spells and medicines ought of mountebanks” implying that Othello did not win over Desdemona, that he cheated and because he is black would not win over Desdemona.
Later on in Act 1 Scene 3 the Duke calls for Desdemona, “Fetch Desdemona hither”, this shows the audience that the Duke knows Brabantio well as he knows his daughters name. Despite this the Duke greet Othello before Brabantio, Shakespeare has used this to show that Brabantio is concerned with the Ottoman Empire and that he is thinking about Othello leading the Venetians.
Othello does not immediately speak in Act 1 Scene 3. This is already creating dramatic tension as the audience are waiting for Othello’s reaction to Brabantio accusations. Othello claims to be not very good at speaking, “Rude am I in my speech and little blest with the soft phrase of speech”. This is very ironic as we go on to see Othello give a very impressive speech. This could be a fault in the play and a possible mistake that Shakespeare made. However this could have been used deliberately by Shakespeare to show that Othello is very modest and show a good characteristic of Othello.
Othello’s speech makes him seem very brave and strong. “They have used their dearest action in the tented field”; Othello is explaining that his arms have been used in war to fight. This makes him seem strong and brave. Othello then tells the Duke to kill him if he has abused Desdemona, “Let your sentence even fall upon my life”. This shows the audience that Othello is very brave and strong, again showing Othello to be a good character. Brabantio shows the audience that Othello is an outsider by saying, “Come hither Moor”. This excludes Othello and belittles him to seem less important. Brabantio also shows he is an outsider by not approving of the marriage, only because Othello is a black man from Africa.
Shakespeare has chosen Othello to speak in verse here. This is interesting as verse is normally used for higher class people and it would be expected that Othello would speak in prose. Shakespeare could have used this to show that Othello is a good and important character, and that he is not bad or scummy. Othello talking in verse here is a contrast to the end of the play when he starts to talk in prose. This could show that he has changed by the end of the play. It could also show that towards the end of the play Othello is a bad character as he has been convinced that Desdemona is unfaithful and is now jealous. In this scene Othello is portrayed as a brave and courageous character, this is another contrast to the end of the play when he is portrayed as a foolish character. In Act 1 Scene 3 he shows that he does love Desdemona, and that he cares for her. This is contrasted at the end of the play when he insults Desdemona by calling her a “whore” in Act 4 Scene 2.
It is possible that different audiences will react in different ways. These days most people would understand and accept the love that Othello and Desdemona share. They would also see Othello as brave, strong and a good character. However, in the time of Shakespeare many people would not approve this marriage. A lot of people would not care or not feel sorry or have sympathy for Othello. They may see him as an outsider and not a normal person. A lot of people in Shakespearian times would not think a black man should marry a young white lady. At this stage in the play Othello talks in verse, Shakespeare usually uses verse to show that somebody is from a high social background. Othello is not from a high social background; Shakespeare uses it here to show that Othello is a good character. Towards the end of the play Othello starts to talk in prose, this is how Iago talks. This could be a sign that Iago has infected Othello.
Act 1 Scene 3 is the first time that we see Desdemona and is made dramatic by the impact that Desdemona will have. Othello has previously told the Duke to kill him if he has abused Desdemona therefore Othello’s life depends on Desdemona telling the truth, as the audience have not met Desdemona they do not know her character. Also as she has secretly married Othello the audience may be under the impression that she is sly and manipulative, however the audience soon learn that this is the opposite to Desdemona, and that she is innocent and truthful. The entrance of Desdemona is very dramatic as the audience are anxious to find out what Desdemona will say. Desdemona’s first words in the play are very polite, “My noble father”. This is the first impression that the audience will get of Desdemona. The audience will then realise that Desdemona is a polite and high social class person. Desdemona shows that she respects her father, although she has married Othello. Desdemona’s greeting to her father mirrors the way that Othello greet the Duke and Senators, “Most potent grave and reverend signiors”. This shows that both Desdemona and Othello are polite, however it is used to symbolise that Desdemona and Othello are now married. There is an imagery of Desdemona and Othello being a couple as their words are similar. Brabantio’s first words to the governor were not greeting them in a polite way, “So did I yours”, Brabantio explains how he lacked the help of the Duke. This is important as it shows the audience that Brabantio was not as polite as Desdemona and Othello, this would have been a negative thing and would shine good light on Desdemona and Othello. Desdemona is very polite to her father although he is racist to Othello and does not approve of their marriage. Desdemona says “To you I am bound for life and education”, this shows that Desdemona is very grateful for everything her father has done for her and she shows that she has not forgot her father and still loves. Although Desdemona is polite in her speech she is still very brave and has courage to respond to her father – “And so much duty as my mother showed to you, preferring you before her father”, she uses logic here to point out that she should now prefer Othello over her father.
Desdemona’s speech creates tension; this is because the audience do not know if Othello has used magic to win over Desdemona. In Shakespearian times many people would not expect a young, higher class lady to secretly marry an older, lower class black man and go against her father’s will. Although Desdemona is shown to be courageous and polite the audience in Shakespearian times would say that she is foolish to marry a lower class black man and go against her fathers will.
Brabantio shows that he is upset with his daughter’s secret marriage. “I am glad at soul I have no other child, for thy escape would teach me tyranny to hang clogs on them”, Brabantio shows that he would be over protective if he had another child. This is more common nowadays; in Shakespearian times parents would be a lot happier to get their children married off. However Brabantio is outraged at his daughter’s marriage. The audience would have been shocked and not approve of a black man marrying a Venetian senator’s daughter. The audience would be further shocked to find out that the Duke, a highly respected man, approves of their marriage, “I think this would win over my daughter too”. This shows that the Duke believes that Othello won over Desdemona fairly.
Desdemona wants to go Cyprus to be with Othello when he fights the war, “Let me go with him”. This shows that Desdemona does love Othello, and that she doesn’t want to leave him. This again shows that Desdemona is polite as she is asking to go to war with Othello, not demanding it, showing that she has respect for her father although her father probably has no respect for her anymore.
Some people would have seen Desdemona as heroine, she was able to rebel against her powerful father and marry the man she loves. In Rattray Taylor’s book, Sex In History, he described how in a patriarchal society those less dominant would want to have power and dominance over those in control. This can be seen through Desdemona’s actions, clearly going against her fathers will. On the other hand, it is possible that Desdemona married Othello partially to rebel against her father, rather that because she was in love. It is therefore possible to see Desdemona as a week and naïve women and a victim to male sexuality.
Iago is the villain of the play; he manipulates Roderigo and convinces him to pay him to win over Desdemona. Iago does not win over Desdemona for Roderigo, but does cunningly take money from Roderigo throughout the play. Although Iago is cunning and cruel the audience could admire his intelligence and awareness of everything that goes on in the play. Iago compliments Roderigo, “noble heart” and “gentleman”. Iago does this to convince Roderigo that he is a good friend, the audience can see that Iago is two faced by his soliloquy later in the play. Roderigo cannot see through Iago’s fake act and Roderigo is blinded by love. Iago uses financial imagery whist talking to Roderigo, “put money enough in your purse”. Roderigo thinks that Iago is telling him to save up his anger. This has a double meaning as it could also mean save up your money for me. It is interesting that Shakespeare has given Iago this line. Shakespeare may have wanted this to portray Iago as intelligent because he can use speech cleverly. However this could also show us that a double meaning means that Iago is two faced and is a cheater or liar.
Roderigo tells Iago that he doesn’t want to live anymore, “It is silliness to live when to live is torment” and also “I will incontinently drown myself”. Iago wants Roderigo alive to give him money and to help him in his plan. It is very ironic that Iago is trying to persuade Roderigo to stay alive as Iago stabs and kills him at the end of the play when he has no more use of Roderigo. Later in the play Othello also says that he wants to die and this is all because of Iago’s plan, “In my sense ‘tis happiness to die”. The audience can then establish a link between Othello and Roderigo and their misery, showing that Iago is an evil and cruel character that causes misery to others. The actor playing Roderigo could be sad with his shoulders slouched to show that he is depressed. He could also talk in a slow and miserable voice to show he is upset. Iago could possibly light some candles whilst he is talking to Roderigo. This would signify that Iago has gradually lit up Rodrigo’s life and that Roderigo is now happy and has a positive attitude. The stage could then be full of light when Roderigo leaves. When Roderigo says, “I am changed. I’ll sell all my land” then the actor could be shouting happily to Iago and waving him goodbye with a smile on his face. This would show the audience that Roderigo has changed his mood and posture since before he Iago convinced him not to kill himself. This would demonstrate that Iago is a manipulative character and that he is very good with his speech, this would highlight how intelligent Iago is.
When Roderigo leaves we see a totally different side to Iago. Iago talks to the audience by himself, this is known as a soliloquy. This is used so that the audience can understand what Iago is really thinking and Iago tells the truth here. Shakespeare has chosen Iago to talk in prose in this soliloquy; this is normally used to show the audience that the character is from a lower social background. Prose could also show that the character is bad or scummy and for Iago it is used to show that Iago has many negative characteristics. Iago starts his soliloquy by talking about the money that he gets from Roderigo, “thus do I ever make my fool my purse”. This shows the audience that Iago is cruel and manipulative; the audience may now start to dislike Iago. Iago then goes on to show that he is two faced, “If I would time expend wit such a snipe but for my sport and profit”. This is Iago telling the audience that he is only spending time with Roderigo get his money. Iago also calls Roderigo a “snipe”, this would have been an insult and would suggest that he is a fool. This is a big contrast from earlier in the play when Iago was friendlier with Roderigo, “noble heart”.
Although Iago is portray as an evil and cunning character he does show a sign of guilt - “He’s done my office I know not if’t be true”. Iago does not know if Othello has slept with Emilia but he will act as is it is definite, “Will do as if for surety”. This shows that Iago may feel guilty for what he will do to Othello and Desdemona. Iago tries to find a motive for is treacherous plan but there is no real reason. The audience may then start to feel that Iago is just pure evil on earth and has no care or regard for anyone.
Shakespeare also creates tension in the play by making Iago think of the plan during his soliloquy. Tension is built when Iago is thinking of the plan and the audience are waiting for what his plan will be, “let me see now” and “How? How? Let’s see”. By Iago asking how it creates a lot of suspense as the audience are wondering how he will go about his plans. Iago asks how, this is a rhetorical question and further adds to the tension as the audience will want to know how he is going to do his plan.
Shakespeare shows that Iago is intelligent through his speech with his last line of the soliloquy. “Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light”. Iago is informing the audience that he is now going to make his evil plan happen. The audience may be shocked that Iago is going to ruin everybody’s lives for no reason. This is an extended metaphor from previously in the play when Iago gave the audience a sense that his plan was growing, “womb of time”. This makes Iago’s exit very dramatic as the audience are left knowing that Iago is going to ruin Othello’s life with his plan. By Iago using the sophisticated speech it shows the audience that he is very intelligent.
The whole soliloquy is very ironic as the characters in the play think of Iago as an honest character; Othello calls him “Honest Iago” in the play. As the audience find out by his soliloquy Iago is the opposite to honest and at the end of the play he betrays Othello and Emilia and they both end up dying.
During Iago’s soliloquy Iago could use certain actions to further add to the dramatic tension. Iago could slowly blow out the candles that are lit onstage, this would show the darkness and evil is eventually coming. After Iago says, “Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light” he could blow out the last candle on stage and this would show that the darkness and evil had arrives. During Iago’s soliloquy he could fold his arms to show that he has withdrawn himself from the other characters. This would also show that he is keeping himself in a secretive manor and shows that he will slyly plot his evil plan.
Act 1 scene 3 is a very important scene; it is the first time that the audience see Desdemona. This scene also creates the reason for the play to move to Cyprus. From this scene the audience get an understanding of all the characters; that Othello is brave, “Valiant Othello” and that Iago is cunning, manipulative and two faced. The audience also see that Desdemona is in love with Othello, and that she is very polite. The audience also see that Brabantio’s claims are false, “She is abused, stolen from me and corrupted”. This scene enables Shakespeare to make the characters change over time at the end of the film. This scene makes Othello out to be strong and brave; this is a contrast to the end of the play when Othello is jealous.
John Todd released a paper in 1955 that was based on a syndrome that he called the Othello syndrome, this is the dissolution of a partner or spouse’s faithfulness. The symptoms are interrogation of the partner and sometimes stalking. The name was taken from Shakespeare’s play because the syndrome can often result to homicide or suicide, as it did in this Othello’s case. Although this play was written in 1602 it still carries some important moral lessons for us today. A moral lesson of the play is not to be jealous as it could lead to trouble; this is often described as “the green eyed monster”. Another moral lesson is to not always trust everyone, as not everybody is who they seem to be.
