*Othello is a tense, closely-knit play, with an ever-increasing emotional scene. The
character Iago, Othello's ancient, is the cause of all the tragedy which comes to pass
as the play progresses. He is a manipulator, opposing Othello not directly, but
through other characters whom he tricks. From his actions throughout the play one
sees that Iago was gifted at using other people, to further his own schemes.
*Act One, Scene One is the most important because it foreshadows the whole
drama. Iago gives the reader warning that he is not all that he seems when he says,
'I am not what I am' (I,i). He appears to help Roderigo, a suitor to Desdemona, who
has run off with Othello, the Moorish general of the Venetian army. Iago hates
Othello for another reason. instead of choosing him to be his lieutenant, Othello
chose Cassio. In the end of scene, Iago and Roderigo have informed Brabantio
about his daughter's elopement.
"A Bedchamber, Desdemona in Bed asleep", from Othe...
"Desdemona in bed asleep", from Othello (Act V, sc...
Desdemona's Death Song by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, ...Then they went to confront Othello with this
situation.
*At the beginning of Scene Two of Act One, Iago gives advice to Othello and lets him
know what is about to happen. Shortly after their talk Brabantio confronts Othello
about stealing his daughter. Then they all went and saw the Duke. Othello defends
himself and asks if Desdemona can testify on the behalf of him. Othello tells how
that the only 'witchcraft' he used were his stories, and how Brabantio used to invite
him up to tell them. Finally, Brabantio disowns Desdemona and she goes to be with
Othello.
*Near the end of the first scene of the second act, Iago convinces Roderigo, who
was observing Cassio's enthusiastic greeting of Desdemona, that Cassio and
Desdemona have something going on between them. Thus manipulating Roderigo...