Jenelle Fiori; Othello Act 1

The plot of Othello begins in Act 1, when Iago finds out that he did not get to be lieutenant. Instead Othello has gained the position. So, he tells Barbantio that Othello and Desdemona, Barbantio’s daughter, are sleeping together. When the Duke arrives, they all find out that their Turkish enemies are going to the nearby island so they must attack, with Othello in the lead. To this, Barbantio tells the Duke of Venice about what he has heard, to which Othello says that he and Desdemona are married. What is interesting about this argument is the fact that Othello is clearly an outsider to Venice. He is called the “black ram” who corrupts and woos the “white ewe” with the magic of his words and other sorcery. Another thing that is interesting to note is the fact that both Othello and Desdemona claim that before either had met, they both felt violent with anger, which foreshadows the events to come. I have read Othello in high school and found it interesting to see how Shakespeare compares two different places and people by using the objects around them and their actions. I really enjoy this play because of this, though I love all of Shakepeare's work.