Act 1 scene 2
Summary
- Iago warns that Brabantio can use his influence to arrest Othello and dissolve the marriage
- Othello is confident that "my services which I have done the signiory shall out-tongue his complaints" and that "I fetch my life and being from men of royal siege"
- Cassio comes with an urgent message from the Duke "Something from Cyprus as I may divine: it is a business of some heat" in the Venetian senate
- On their way to the senate Brabantio and his men find them, Othello eloquently de-escalates the conflict, "Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. / Good signior, you shall more command with years / Than with your weapons." and denies Brabantio's accusations of witchcraft
- Brabantio decides to go to the council as well to inform the Duke of Othello's 'crime'
The tragic villain
Othello
This is the first scene he appears in, in act 1 scene 1 he is only alluded to as a 'lascivious moor' ;old black ram' and attributed other odious traits
Our first impressions of Othello contrast the image we've been given of him from Iago, Roderigo, and Brabantio. He speaks in measured, blank verse and remains calm despite Brabantio's "scurvy and provoking terms" threats and accusations. "Let him do his spite"
He's brave, dignified, and authoritative shown by his calm reaction to Brabantio and his followers, "Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them. / Good signior, you shall more command with years / Than with your weapons."
While pretending to warn Othello about Brabantio, Iago is doing his best to make Othello lose his self-control. Iago says, "I had thought to have yerk'd him right here under the ribs" in false loyalty to Othello. Despite Othello not rising to Iago's provocation, he carries on saying Brabantio spoke in "such scurvy and provoking terms against your honour"
From Iago's point of view it would be good if Othello ran and hid like a guilty man, so implores him "you best go in" Better yet would be an angry confrontation with Brabantio, especially if the confrontation turned violent. Iago is probably using a little reverse psychology -- as he often does later in the play -- and calculates that telling Othello to hide is likely to have the opposite effect.
Shakespeare creates this contrasting image of Othello in Iago, Roderigo and Brabantio's pov and the audienes' pov, setting him up as a 'noble' tragic villain with unfortunate enemies.
Despite it being his first appearance, his hubris, excessive pride, glimmers through some lines. "Let him do his spite, my services which i have done the signiory shall out-tongue his complaints" "borders on arrogance as he insists on his safety. Again in "I fetch my life and being from men of royal siege" settiong up his nobility, then again in "My parts, my title, and my perfect soul shall manifest me rightly"
While Othello is off stage for a moment he's the one to tell Cassio, through innuendo, that the general is married, "'Faith, he to-night hath boarded a land carack: / If it prove lawful prize, he's made for ever." but gets no chance to say to who
Once more, Iago tries to spook Othello, saying, "It is Brabantio. General, be advised; / He comes to bad intent"
Cassio
Brabantio's racism: he accuses Othello, "thou hast practised on her with foul charms" and "abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals." Brabantio also makes a racial insult. He cannot believe that Desdemona would "Run from her guardage to the sooty bosom/ Of such a thing as thou" yet being unable to arrest him he goes to the senate to present his case.
This is also the first time we meet Cassio, who was previously referred to by Iago as "a great arithmetician, / One Michael Cassio, a Florentine," who "never set a squadron in the field" - a man unworthy of the position he's granted
in Cassio's first speeches he comes accross as trustworthy and reliable, delivering urgent messages from the senate. However, he's yet unaware of Othello's marriage to Des despite future claims from Othello that he was aware of their courtship. He also fails to understand Iago's innuendo, ironic as he'll cast Cassio as a seducer in the next scene.
Misogyny/attitudes towards women
Brabantio's attitude towards his daughter is alarming, he denies her any autonomy to make her own decisions, his accusations prove this. He calls Othello a thief as if Desdemona is a posession to be robbed.
Iago's pirate innuendo not only degrades Othello or reaffirms Brabantio's accusation of Othello being a 'foul thief' but also dehumanises Desdemona, implying she is an object to be won. "Faith tonight he hath boarded a land carrack, if it prove lawful prize to be won forever."
Othello defends his love for Desdemona simply and clearly, stating: "I love the gentle Desdemona" the first genuine reference to love in the play. Othello's perspective of his relationship is frank and truthful, contrasting the perceptions of others. "gentle" is an interesting adjective as it means both kind-hearted and of noble birth, alllowing us to question what Othello really has married her for, love or status?