Reference:
Shakespeare, W. (1993). Othello. United States of America: Washington Square Press.
Sparksnotes. (2010). Othello. Retrieved January 18, 2011, from http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/othello/section1.rhtml
Reference:
Shakespeare, W. (1993). Othello. United States of America: Washington Square Press.
Sparksnotes. (2010). Othello. Retrieved January 18, 2011, from http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/othello/section1.rhtml
The act started in Cyprus where the governor,Montano and two gentleman witness a storm. Even though, there are not many ships that survived in the storm, but it is still uncertain whether Othello's ship is one of them.Iago, Emilia, Desdemona and Roderigo arrived with the second ship. While waiting Othello to arrive with the third ship, Cassio and Desdemona tease Emilia of being a chatterbox but Iago criticize woman in general by saying that all woman are lazy in all except in sex:
"You rise to play and go to bed to work," (II.i.118)
While Cassio takes Desdemona for a talk about Othello, Iago had plans to frame him as a revenge so that he won't get promoted.
Othello arrive and greet Desdemona. While Roderigo are unloading the ship, Iago try to tell stories to him that Desdemona will get tired of Othello and will soon go with another man, which is Cassio. Roderigo explains that Cassio's act of holding Desdemona' hand were probably a symbol of respect. But, Roderigo start to get convinced with Iago and started a quarrel with Cassio that evening.
At the end of the act, Iago explains to the audience about his actions.He is confessing that he is in lust with Desdemona. He suspect that Othello had slept with Emilia, therefore, Iago wanted to get 'wife for wife'. However, if his plans doesn't work, he wants Othello to become insane and mad by thinking that his lieutenant is sleeping with his wife.
Reference:
Shakespeare, W. (1993). Othello. United States of America: Washington Square Press.
Sparksnotes. (2010). Othello. Retrieved January 16, 2011, from http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/othello/section1.rhtml
Characters involved : the Duke of Venice, Senators, officers, messangers, Brabantion, Othello, Desdemona, Iago, Roderigo
The scene started with the committee discussing about a Turkish fleet which is moving towards Cyprus for a war.
Since Marcus Luccious was still in Florence, the council assigned Othello to the task; to go against the enemy of Ottoman.
Then Brabantio came in to talk to the Duke to get justice for his daughter, Desdemona.
He claims that Othello had used black magic on Desdemona to win her heart.
After that, Othello justifies himself that he did not do such thing. Since Brabantio was still not convinced, Desdemona was called in.
Desdemona; wife of the Moor (Othello) finally spoke the truth that Othello did not used any portion or black magic in order to win her heart.
Finally, Brabantio was convinced with Desdemona's speech and gave her hand into Othello's hand and told the Duke to carry on with the state's affairs.
Desdemona chooses to follow Othello to Cyprus, however he told her to stay back and she was attended by Iago's wife; Emilia.
Then, Roderigo appears to talk to Iago about his feelings, and selfish Iago told Roderigo who has feelings for Desdemona to make a lot of money by selling off his lands.
The scene ended with Iago's plans on how to make the Moor to start hating Desdemona.
Source: The Arden Edition of the Works of William Shakespeare : Othello
Iago
Othello
Michael Cassio
Brabantio
Rodrigo
Iago arrives at Othello place and warns him about Brabantio's anger. Othello, thrusting in his strength and love for Desdemona willing to face the trouble ahead.
"OTHELLO Not I must be found
My parts, my title, and my perfect soul
Shall manifest me rightly. Is it they?"
(Line 35-38)
A party of people arrives, Iago assumes it to be Brabianto and his people but it turns out to be Cassio and officers from the Venitian Court. They bring a message that Othello has to meet the Duke and the senators of Venice to discuss a matter about Cyprus. Just before they about to leave, Iago tells Cassio that Othello is married. At the same time, Brabantio and his people arrives at Othello's house. Knowing that Othello is about to meet the Duke, Brabantio suggests that they bring the matter before the Duke himself.
References:
Shakespeare, W. (1993). Othello. United States of America: Washington Square Press.
Sparksnotes. (2010). Othello. Retrieved January 14, 2011, from http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/othello/section1.rhtml
2) Iago expressed his hatred towards Othello because Othello chose the inexperienced Cassio as his lieutenant instead of him. The only reason Iago still followed Othello was for him to take revenge on Othello. In order to stay in Othello's grace Iago had to pretend and swear fake loyalty to the Moor which was proven from Iago's words, "I am not what I am".
3) Iago told Roderigo to go to Desdemona's house and reported her secret marriage to her father.
4) Both Roderigo and Iago started shouting outside of Desdemona's house and rudely woke her father, Brabantio. Iago tried to raise Brabantio's anger by throwing insults at him and hinting that his daughter have done something humiliating.
5) The angered Brabantio believed Iago's and Roderigo's accusation and call for his men to check on Desdemona.
6) At the same time, Iago parted with Roderigo because he must quickly went back to Othello to play his role as the loyal assistant.
7) After he found out that Desdemona had indeed run away, Brabantio felt deceived and disbelieved of the treason his daughter had done. Brabantio ask for more men and to call for his brother to apprehend Othello.
End of Summary. Happy analyzing
This is truly a bonus for us the literature students who are studying this play in this semester. Last Thursday, we were informed by our lecturer about this coming live play in Kuala Lumpur. We're so excited to hear this! ^_^Y
This play is directed by Tage Larsen from the renown Odin Theatre in Denmark. Among the actors are Gani Karim who will play as Othello, Lim Kien Lee as Iago, Dawn Cheong as Emilia, Lim Soon Heng as Brabantio/Gratiano, Az’farr Baginda as Roderigo and Alfred Loh as The Duke/Lodovico.
For your information, this play will be held in Kuala Lumpur City Hall from 21st January till 27th January 2011. The ticket price ranging from RM85, RM65 and RM25 (students and senior citizens).
For more information, you can visit these links:
I hope we will have the chance to see this play as we too gonna perform this play on stage in weeks ahead. For now, it's hard to tell whether we are excited, scared or nervous for the day ~humm...~
Othello
A Moor, and an officer in the Venetian military. He falls in love with, and marries, the delicate Desdemona, though he is middle-aged, and she is still young. Othello is bold, a good warrior, and a decent person overall; however, he is undone by jealousy and pride, his two main failings. Although Othello is very eloquent, he believes his manners and words are both rough.
Desdemona
Othello's wife, a young Venetian woman of high birth and good breeding. Desdemona is almost overly virtuous, which causes her to feel that she must defend Cassio, and speak in a public sphere when necessary. She is stronger than Othello believes her to be, and is not the private, withdrawn, meek woman he would ideally like her to be.
Cassio
Othello's lieutenant, though he has little field experience. Cassio is a smooth-talking, very courteous Venetian courtier, the opposite of Othello in many respects, which is why Othello admires him, oddly enough. Othello is led to believe that Cassio has had an affair with Desdemona, though Cassio has only honorable intentions toward Desdemona.
Iago
Othello's ensign, and passed over for the lieutenant position in favor of Cassio. Iago is young and treacherous; he is a villain from the start, and though he cites his hurt pride over the lost promotion and Othello's alleged infidelity with Iago's wife Emilia as being reasons for his actions, he is without reasons. He is immoral, but very perceptive, keen, and able to manipulate people into falling for the traps he sets without them being aware.
Emilia
Iago's wife, and Desdemona's handmaiden. She is entrusted with bringing people into Desdemona's presence, staying with her at all times, etc. Emilia has no idea what her husband Iago is up to, nor of his darker qualities. She remains loyal to Desdemona above all others, although she unwittingly plays a key part in Iago's treachery.
Brabantio
Desdemona's father, a senator and renowned citizen of Venice. He is not at all pleased by Desdemona's union, and warns Othello that as Desdemona betrayed her father, she may betray her husband too.
Roderigo
Lusts after Desdemona, which Iago is of course aware of. Iago uses him to ruin Cassio's reputation, and in his other schemes. Iago promises Roderigo that he shall have Desdemona's love in return for his help; Roderigo actually receives nothing but a disgraced death.
Duke of Venice
Ruler of the city, and Othello's superior. He allows Othello and Desdemona to stay together despite her father's protests, and also sends Othello off to Cyprus to battle the Moors.
Senators
Other authority figures of Venice, and men of reason and order; they also support Othello and Desdemona's union, and Othello answers to them and the Duke in matters of war.
Bianca
A courtesan who Cassio visits frequently; Cassio asks her to make a copy of Desdemona's handkerchief, and the fact that the handkerchief is found in her place further incriminates Cassio. She is the only female in the play that Cassio shows less than full respect to, probably because she is a prostitute.
Montano, Governor of Cyprus
Pronounces judgment on Iago at the end of the play, comments on the situation, and helps to wrap the play up. He is the main law and order figure of Cyprus, and serves as damage control after Othello dies, and Iago is proven unfit.
Lodovico and Gratiano
Two Venetian nobles, both of some relation to Desdemona; both play their biggest part after Desdemona has died, and must take the news of the tragedy back to Venice as officials of that city.
Retrieved from: The Northon Shakespeare, introduction to Othello by Walter Cohen
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