At the beginning of the drama, the audience learn that Rodgerigo is vexed with Iago. The audience is unaware why, which intrigues and urges the audience to really concentrate on the drama. Immediately after Rodgerigo’s mere prattle, Iago controls the rest of their conversation. The audience learns that Iago is angry as he who has had years of experience in the army has not been promoted, instead Othello decides to promote Cassio a young solider with minimal knowledge about life and war. Via Iago’s conversation with Rodgerigo, the audience begin to learn about Iago’s nature and opinions of others.
“Loving his own pride and purposes….horribly stuffed with epithets of war”, “For ‘Certes’ says he. ‘I have already chosen my officer’”
After Iago explains why he should be Othello’s officer he then goes on to describe how arrogant Othello is and how he uses “jargon” to avoid giving the job to Iago. Iago goes on to mock Othello, by mimicking him. This suggests that Iago is deceitful and slightly cowardly as he is willing to talk badly about Othello to others.
“Damned in a fair wife”, “More than a spinster”, “By debitor and creditor, this counter-caster”
These are the comments Iago makes about Cassio, he believes he is not suitable to be a lieutenant. Iago refers to him as a mathematician and a counter-cast (accountant) and believes he is a lady’s man and quite feminine. He refers to him as a “spinster” who were young women that used to make cloth. The audience has yet to meet Cassio, so are unaware of his nature. Shakespeare builds dramatic effect here as what Iago says about Cassio could be truth or it could just be his jealousy letting loose, or a mixture of the two. Before the audience makes it‘s verdict they have to await Cassio‘s entrance.
Iago had served Othello for years and doesn’t think it ethical that he hasn’t been promoted and is still Othello’s ensign.
“Must be lee’d and calmed”
“And I, God bless the mark, his Moorship’s ancient”
This nautical metaphor expresses Iago’s feelings. When a ship is “lee’d and calmed” the wind has been taken out of its sails and the ship remains stationary and stuck in his role as an ancient (flag bearer) Iago then goes on to be sarcastic by referring to Othello as “ his Moorship”. This is a pun as it refers to Othello’s race and position; a Moor is an African descent and “his worship” is a term of respect for someone in Othello’s position.
As the drama progresses, the audience learns that Rodgerigo is a simple, easy, foolish man. His short impulsive comments in comparison to Iago’s long structured speeches indicate who is in control.
“I follow him to serve my turn upon”
“Keep yet their hearts attending on themselves … and when they have lined their coats do themselves homage … These fellows have some soul and such a one do I profess myself”
“I am not what I am”
To an extent, their conversation is somewhat like a soliloquy as through speech Iago exposes his deceitful personality whilst Rodgerigo listens and later still allows himself to be manipulated by him. The phrase “I am not what I am” points towards an identification of the devil. This phrase is actually the opposite of God’s description in the bible but yet Iago refers to himself as a “Christian”. Although Iago appears a very deceiving character he is word-play is immaculate, he has Rodgerigo listening inventively and serves both Rodgerigo and the audience with riddles such as:
“Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago”
“I am not what I am”
Iago is wise; he persuades Rodgerigo to enrage Brabantio (Desdemona’s father) by waking him up, yet when Iago speaks and Brabantio asks of who he is he doesn’t reveal his name.
“And though he in a fertile climate dwell, plague him with flies: though that his joy be joy”
This metaphor suggests that although Brabantio is comfortable, in every aspect of his life, Iago and Rodgerigo intend to upset this “climate” and “plague him” by lying and making him angry.
Iago’s constant reference to people as animals highlight his nasty animalistic character.
“An old black ram is tupping your white ewe”
“You’ll have you daughter covered with a Barbary horse”
“Making the beast with two backs”
When talking with Brabantio, Iago’s word choice is very clever. Thrice, he indecently tells him of Desdemona having sex which not only arouses Brabantio but also provokes his racial prejudice. The antithesis: “An old black ram is tupping your white ewe” is effective as the animal “ewe” is a female sheep which normally represents innocence and purity and “a black ram” indicates a dirty old black male sheep. “Tupping” is the term associated with animal copulation. When Iago finally finishes his speech, Brabantio rightfully calls him a “villain”, and he snaps back with “And you a senator”. Iago can now be viewed as a charming, witty villain. He uses his words so effectively that he eventually persuades Brabantio to look for Desdemona.
When Brabantio learns his daughter is not at home he become upset: “oh unhappy girl!”, “Who would be a father”. These phrases indicate he feels sorry for himself and disappointed with his daughter. He then goes on to assume that his daughter has had a spell put on her and has been taken advantage of as she is so young and innocent.
“Is there not charms by which the property of youth and maid hood may be abused”
Brabantio’s prejudice clouds his outlook s much that he doesn’t even stop to think that his daughter could genuinely be in love with Othello. He then sends his people out accompanied with Rodgerigo to look for Othello and Desdemona.
During Act 1 Scene 1, we learn that Iago has gone back to Othello to act “loyal” and we’re left in suspense to what will happen when Brabantio finds his daughter and Othello. This leaves the scene with a cliff-hanger which makes it very effective. During the build up to this, we learn about many characters via their actions and speeches: Iago is deceitful, manipulative and hypocritical, Rodgerigo is a naïve push-over in love with Desdemona and Brabantio is Desdemona’s protective father. We indirectly learn about Othello, however, we need to take into account that we learn about Othello from different racists: this builds dramatic effect and we are eager to meet Othello. As the audience, we feel that we’ve been partly exposed to these characters and their plans but we now want to learn more about these realistic characters and watch how they evolve within the drama.
