1. Act 1 Scene 1
1. Act 1 Scene1 opens with which
characters?
2. For what reasons are the two
characters angry?
3. What do the characters then
decide to do and why?
Friday 7th June
Fact: ‘Splood and Zounds are
Shakespearean swearwords

2. Michael Cassio
• Why does Iago dislike him?
Iago explains why he believes he
has not been promoted to the
rank of lieutenant (Lines 8-27) –
Look carefully at the way Iago
describes Cassio and pick out any
key phrases which suggest why
Iago is jealous of him.
Add these to your Michael
Cassio page

3. First impressions of Iago
• Write Iago in the centre of the next page and
collect together any key things Iago seems to
say about himself.
• Include anything that reveals something his
character or motivation.
Iago
“I follow him to serve
my turn upon him”
(shows he’s following him to
get revenge!)
“I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
for daws to peck at”
(Shows he is revealing all, regardless of the outcome)
“I am not what I am”
(There is more to Iago than meets
the eye!)

4. Iago winding up Brabantio
• Have a page in your book with the heading:
Animal Imagery – you are going to collect quotes
to do with animals as we go through the play:
Start with these tricky words
• “Barbary horse” --- a North African breed
• “Coursers” --- Racehorses
• “Jennets” --- small Spanish horse
• Note down any animal related lines that Iago uses
whilst shouting up at Brabantio.

5. Othello in Act 1 Scene 1
• Throughout the whole scene, nobody has
used Othello’s name – although all three
men have referred to him several times.
• Collect the terms used to describe him
and add to your Othello page: State who
speaks it and what it says about the
speaker
Term used Aspect of Othello Spoken
by
What does it say about the
speaker?
“the moor” His race Iago Takes away his
individuality
“thick-lips” His physical
features
Racist, purposely
insulting
“the devil”

6. A Who’s Who guide to
Othello
The handkerchief in question
once symbolised the
commitment between this
“dream couple” – By the end the
villain in Othello has used it to
leave both husband and wife
DEAD.
Thursday 6th June

7. A Who’s Who guide to
Othello
Othello is one of Shakespeare’s
tragedies.
This mean the hero has a fatal
flaw which leads to his downfall.
Like Macbeth and Romeo and
Juliet, Othello ends with a large
body count!
Thursday 6th June

8. Othello
• General of the Venice army
• Highly respected but not a native –
originally from Africa, known as a
Moor
• Eloquent (Clever speaker) and
powerful figure
• A racial and cultural outsider
• Before the play starts, has secretly
married Desdemona – but her father
doesn’t know this yet!
(Despite his status in the army, being a
Moor means Father would not approve)

9. Desdemona
• New bride of Othello
• Young daughter of the
powerful Venice senator
(politician) Brabantio
• Was seduced by Othello’s
heroic war stories and
tales from abroad
• Her handmaid (Emilia) is
Iago’s wife.

10. Iago
• The villain of the play!
• Othello’s ensign – a senior
soldier: Believes he should have
been made lieutenant on
experience instead of Cassio.
• Hates Othello but the general
considers him trustworthy, loyal
and honest: Often it is only the
audience who know the truth!
• Tricks and manipulates many of
the other characters – including
his close friend Roderigo!

11. Roderigo
• Young, rich and a bit of an
idiot!
• Hopelessly, in love with
Desdemona – convinced
that if he gives him all his
money, Iago will help him
win Desdemona’s hand (ie.
Very Gullible)
• Jealous of Othello having
married his dream girl!

12. Othello Desdemona
Iago
Cassio
Roderigo
• Unlike some Shakespeare
plays, there are not LOADS of
characters to get to know
• And there is only one plot to get
your head around – how one
cunning villain can plant a small
seed that can not only “get
revenge” but destroy everything
he holds dear.
Brabantio
Emilia

13. Desdemona’s supporting
cast
Emilia – Iago’s
wife and
Desdemona’s
handmaid – loyal
to her mistress
Brabantio –
Desdemona’s father:
senator of Venice,
old fashioned – does
not believe in such
interracial
relationships!