The darkness is also highly symbolic of and attached to Iago’s evil, as it allows him to retain his hidden position of servant to Othello while plotting his downfall he is allowed to sway Brabanzio against the titular character without being identified, and then slip away into the night before anyone can spot him. Brabanzio’s desire for light can be read as symbolic of his desire for knowledge, to learn who is talking to him (Iago and Brabanzio) and what has come of his daughter. Imagery: The darkness of the scene symbolizes the disorder and chaos that is already present in the world of the play, as many characters are not in the know, while deception and evil are already lurking. Iago has a good reputation (his military post and Roderigo seeking him out for advice and assistance prove this) but in reality he has little honor, as he plans to bring about his commander’s downfall, which involves deceiving Othello and Roderigo. Reputation and honor: Iago shows how reputation and honor, which are usually linked, can be separated (this links to appearance and reality). Roderigo is jealous of Othello having Desdemona, Iago is envious of Cassio attaining the post he desired both of these jealousies set the play into motion and therefore it is important to keep these in mind as events play out. Jealousy: The scene illustrates one type of jealousy, envy of what others have. In addition, both relationships already having obstacles indicates that love is not prioritized in the world of the text. Iago and Roderigo view love differently, with the former considering it as lust (evidenced in his remark to Brabanzio about sexual activity between his daughter and Othello) while the latter prizes it, evident in his paying for Iago to form a relationship for him. Love: Two relationships are already introduced (Othello and Desdemona/ Desdemona and Roderigo), both of which reveal various issues about love. Elsewhere, things appearing differently to how they actually are is seen in the aforementioned relationship of Iago and Roderigo, as Iago appears to be helping Roderigo, which will later be revealed as part of an overarching plan to cause Macbeth’s downfall. It is significant that Brabanzio responds to the claims when such terminology is used, indicating that racism is rife in the world, and of note is that when Othello appears in the next scene that such suggestions will prove to be wide of the mark rather there are Christ-like allusions and he is presented as a calming influence rather than a figure of excess which individuals such as rapists are often characterised by. He is linked to the devil due to his distance from society, living in ‘The Moor’, and there is heavy emphasis of his race with comments such as ‘thick-lips’ and comparison to ‘barbary horse’. Deception is linked to evil elsewhere in the scene, as Roderigo is growing wary of Iago’s promise to form a union between him and Desdemona this is later revealed as part of Iago’s plan to bring about the downfall of Macbeth.Īppearance and reality: Othello is described in a racist fashion, suggested to be a rapist, ‘an old black ram/ Is topping your white ewe’. This confession presents him as villainous as he reveals his loyalty to Othello is false, designed so as to eventually create a situation where he can betray his commander for his own advantage he will only ‘follow him to serve my turn upon him’. Themesĭeception: When a character is deceptive in a Shakespearean text they are usually evil, and this is the case with Iago as he admits he will deceive Othello. The scene concludes with the Venetian senator beginning the search for his daughter. Brabanzio returns soon after his departure, incensed as he believes his daughter has been lured away from her home by the ‘charms’ of Othello. However his attention soon grows when Iago crudely refers to Othello and his daughter engaging in sexual activity, ‘making the beast with two backs’ he goes to seek out his daughter, during which time Iago departs the scene so as to prevent anyone knowing his part in the betrayal of his commander. Hidden by the darkness they get the senator’s attention and inform him that he has been robbed by ‘thieves’, however Brabanzio initially disregards unidentified cries in the night. Iago brings Roderigo to the home of Brabanzio, a Venetian senator and father of Desdemona, so as to turn her family against Othello and ruin the joyous time at the beginning of the marriage.
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