One cannot deny that the first impressions given to the audience of the protagonist are tainted by Iago's hatred for him, however, they remain extremely important in establishing the first picture offered of Othello. Iago begins Act One Scene One by informing Roderigo, and in turn the audience of Othello's controversial marriage to Desdemona. Iago describes Othello as "Horribly stuffed with epithets of war", which immediately leads the audience to believe that Othello is arrogant, boastful, and brimming with exaggerated tales of his heroic battles. The fact that neither Iago nor Roderigo use Othello's name, and simply refer to him as "him", "he", "The Moor" or "thick lips" shows their disdain for Othello and that neither of them respect him. By using phrases such as "thick lips" to describe Othello, Shakespeare is acquiescing to the views of Elizabethan society. At that time in England, it would have been extremely rare for a black man to be seen, let alone be the central character of a play. Therefore it would have been seen as perfectly acceptable to use terms which would be deemed racist if they were used in today's society. By using such seemingly derogatory language Shakespeare is, in effect, setting his audience up for a shock when they see the way that Othello is regarded by others and the way he conducts himself.
When Iago and Roderigo go to tell Brabantio of Othello's marriage to his daughter, Desdemona Iago uses a variety of devices such as symbolism to describe Othello and his 'crime'. He begins by waking Brabantio with " Awake! What ho, Brabantio! Thieves, thieves! Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags! Thieves, thieves". This stealing imagery implies not only that Othello is a robber, but also that Desdemona is a material object that may simply be stolen. By comparing Othello to a petty criminal, Iago is questioning Othello's integrity. Iago then proceeds to use very vulgar, sexual and animal imagery to describe both Othello and Desdemona when he says" an old black ram is tupping your white ewe". This line has both the effect of upsetting Brabantio and also making the audience think of Othello as a very base and lecherous character because it is implied that he is only with Desdemona for sexual gratification. Roderigo also describes Othello as "lascivious" which reiterates Iago's view of Othello only being interested in sexual fulfilment and he describes him as "an extravagant and wheeling stranger of here and everywhere". The latter view hints at the fact that Othello is not fully accepted into Venetian society and is considered a "stranger".
This unflattering first picture of Othello is then worsened by the obvious contempt Brabantio shows for him when he is told of Othello's marriage to Desdemona and his immediate assumption that this must be a result of witchcraft. Brabantio says, "is there not charms by which the property of youth and maidenhood may be abused" which suggests that Othello has bewitched his daughter into marrying him. He assumes this because he does not believe that she would marry a black man.
However, just as it seems set in the minds of the audience that Othello is a pretentious, lewd thief who has snatched a defenceless maiden from her father, he enters the scene and all previous opinions appear to evaporate with his diplomacy and virtue. Despite Iago's every attempt to aggravate Othello with claims that Roderigo has been speaking about him behind his back and that Brabantio may divorce he and Desdemona, Othello remains calm and keeps his peace and dignity. He remains unaffected by Iago's claims and is confident that the Duke needs his skills as a commander and that that will outweigh any wrongs he has committed in marrying Desdemona. Othello says, "I love the gentle Desdemona" in very first lengthy speech which dispels any belief the audience had that he did not love her and was merely wanting sex. It also shows his "free and open nature" and that he is an emotionally strong man because he so readily admits to his love despite the fact that others disapprove of it. When Cassio enters and delivers the message to Othello that the Duke requires his "haste-post-haste appearance" the audience can plainly see that Othello is a man of great worth and importance and that many people require and respect his advice. This also greatly dispels any thoughts the audience may have had of Othello being a lowly character because of the colour of his skin. Even when Brabantio comes to take Othello to prison by accusing him of witchcraft and drawing his sword on him, Othello remains completely in control and tranquil and even says " Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them" as a way of attempting to pacify Brabantio.
When Othello is before the Senate being accused of "beguiling" Desdemona his speech is incredibly eloquent and formal but his language humble. For example, he addresses the senate as "Most potent, grave and reverent signiors" which is sycophantic to make it easier for him to tell his story. He also belittles himself by saying "Rude am I in speech" to make the Senate believe that he poses no threat and could not have possibly bewitched Desdemona. Through his speech to the senate, the audience is able to see Othello's true character for the first time and they discover a man of intelligence, eloquence and dignity.
