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The events that occur in the first half of Act 1 are all in anticipation of the lead character Othello who we are not immediately introduced too. We learn Iago's name in the second line of the play and Roderigos soon after, but Othello is not mentioned by his name once. Instead he is referred to as he, him and is frequently described as the moor (1. 1. 58) he is also described as having thick lips (1. 1. 67) and later as being a Barbary horse (1. 1. 111) is continuously described by his critics, mainly Iago, as a moor, demonstrating Iago's frequently concerning nature of race and also portraying Othello as something of an alien. From this reference we are able to immediately understand Iago's true feelings and motives for Othello. The audience at this point know nothing of Othello that is gained by their own opinion, instead we are lead to believe from Iago's race related description that Othello is a threatening and evil moor, whose bestial sexual appetite, conveyed by Iago's cries to Brabantio, telling him that an old black ram is tapping his white ewe (1. 1. 89), is something of a rapist. Iago's coarse animal related language conveys Iago's feelings against Othello's marriage in a much more pronounced way.
The image of an old black ram gives the audience nothing but negative images of Othello, especially when this old black ram is being associated with the innocence of a white ewe. Iago then associates Othello with the image of the devil (1. 1. 92) because of Othello's colour, Iago warns Brabantio that he has lost half [his] soul now that Desdemona is married to Othello. Iago here emphasises the biracial nature of the marriage, already showing his ability to manipulate people, in this case he is manipulating Brabantio, to believe in Iago's own opinions and in theory to eliminate all thoughts that Brabantio might of had of his own about the marriage. Despite the negative foregrounding of Othello's character by Iago, our first impressions of Othello in Act 1 are of a noble and well-spoken man, his nobility is conveyed through his speech most potent grave and reverend seniors (1. 3. 76) to his future father-in-law Brabantio of Othello's love for his daughter Desdemona in Act 1 Scene 3. This is a very different character to what we expect from Iago's preparation for the introduction of Othello. Where we are expecting an angry and possibly violent character, we instead are met with something completely surprising, a quiet and calm man who dismisses Roderigos insult and even avoids the prospect of a conflict.
Although, this kind nature can also be contrasted with Othello's ability to boast at his own achievements Wherein I spake of most disastrous chances (1. 3. 133) Othello demonstrates here a side to him that agrees with Iago's perception of him. His personified language greedy ear (1. 3. 148) also allows us to form the opinion that due to the way Othello uses language, he is a very exaggerated and boastful character. Instead of having a character describe Iago for the audience, Shakespeare allows Iago to paint his own character portrait. Although Iago starts off as a somewhat passive character he soon shows himself to be the villain of the play; although Iago isnt your conventional villain and is instead can be seen as a far more complex character, this self exposing feature of Iago also helps us as an audience to prepare ourselves to be sympathetic towards Othello. Iago's complex and villainous role is shown through his ability to judge people and their characters and use it manipulate them to do things in a way that benefits him and allows him to move closer towards his goals. He tries to present himself as a friend to Othello in an attempt to gain his trust, in the line you were best go in (1. 2. 29) he makes Othello feel that Iago is a friend who is trying to help him.
Although it shows us as an audience how Iago's plans to destroy Othello's marriage are developing early on in the play. Iago's manipulations are driven by a basic desire to get back at those who have hurt him and gain what he believes is rightfully his. In Act 1 Scene 1 Iago describes his disgust at being overlooked for Othello's lieutenant and instead have to settle as being his Moor ships ancient a position below lieutenant, we are able to see here that his main motivation was revenge and anger.
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Research essay sample on Analysis Of Othello And Iago In Act 1
