Othello Act 1 Scene 1

Othello Act 1 Scene 1

A conversation between Roderigo and Iago

In partners: Both men are making personal complaints. Search for key phrases or sentences that summarize their grumbles. Each partner has to memorize two. Standing opposite each other, at either side of the room, each pair has to present their lines by walking towards each other shouting their lines. Each partner then has to explain the other’s complaints

Partner work part two: The play opens with an argument that is already mid-process. What do you think that Iago and Rodrigo were saying before the play begins? Write a short dialogue that ends at the first line of the play. Why do you think, as far as writing goes, it is effective to begin a piece in the middle of an argument?

Desdemona’s Flight

Read lines 119-136 about Rodrigo’s account of Desdemona’s secret departure from home. Why does Desdemona run away from home? If Brabantio had known about her marriage before it had taken place, what kind of arguments would have ensued within the family? Imagine, and in groups of three, write a short scene of the dialogue that you think would have occurred.

Connecting it to modern times:

In the same groups, pick and act out one of the following scenarios:

1)      A family is at home one evening. Their teenage daughter is expected to come home from a friend’s house at any moment. Someone knocks at the door. It’s a neighbor, who says that they’ve seen the daughter with a young man, and a backpack, about to board a train to another city. The daughter apparently told them that she feels like she doesn’t have a choice. What kind of argument, or scenario happens next? Act it out.

2)      A family is having dinner together. In walks the teenage son with his ‘disapproved of’ boyfriend, and he announces that they are getting married. How does the family react?

‘The Moor’

In the entire first scene, Othello is not once referred to by name.

Make a chart with the following:

Terms Used

Aspect of Othello

Spoken By

What Does It Say About the Speaker?

So for example: ‘The Moor’ (line 40)

His race

Iago

He’s trying to take away Othello’s Individuality

What was your first impression of Othello? Look at lines 17-28 carefully. Compare his speech to the impressions given of him in Scene I.