1.3

• MAIN POINT OF ACT 1

  Exposition — establishing Othello’s nobility against a background of xenophobia.
• PLOT OF 1.3

  The court hears of the Turkish threat to Cyprus. Othello and Brabantio enter. Brabantio accuses Othello. Desdemona is called to assert her love. The Duke agrees to the marriage. He orders Othello to lead the fleet to Cyprus. Desdemona will accompany him. Iago plots to destroy Othello.
• SYMBOLS OF 1.3

  COUNCIL CHAMBER: Othello is welcomed into a place of power at the heart of Venetian society. He is elevated place in the social hierarchy is confirmed — and political.

  IMPERATIVES: (war) are judged to be more important in deciding this than personal conflict (his illicit marriage).

  MARRIAGE: in a world of war, Othello‘s marriage appears to be an oasis of calm. It offers a possible escape from conflict, and potential reconciliation between different groups.
• QUOTATIONS IN 1.3

  OTHELLO: “Most potent, grave, and revered signiors.”

  OTHELLO: “A round, unvarnished tale will I deliver.”

  OTHELLO: “She loved me for the dangers I had passed, / And I loved her that she did pity them.”

  DESDEMONA: “I do perceive here a divided duty.”

  BRABANTIO: ”She has deceived her father, and may thee.”

  IAGO: “The Moor is of a free and open nature.”

  IAGO: “I have it, it is engendered! Hell and night / Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light.”
• VOCABULARY IN 1.3

  SPREZZATURA: concealing one’s skills.

  SELF-POSSESSED: confident, assertive.

  PRECARIOUS FOUNDATIONS OF THE MARRIAGE: unstable basis for marriage.

  EMBITTERED: filled with resentment.

  MALEVOLENT: evil, immoral.

  COMPLICIT: helping to do wrong. By confiding in the audience, Iago makes them complicit in his actions.