Setting
Venice, Italy. Act 1 takes place here.
Iago's Manipulation
For starters, Iago tries to embarrass Brabantio by shouting obscene things to him, as well as taking things by surprise. This causes Brabantio to become angered quite quickly and he ends up playing right into Iago's hands. He doesn't want Brabantio to recognize him at the Senate later, so he hides in a way that Brabantio cannot see him. Later, Iago tells Othello that Brabantio was trash talking him and that he is going to try his hardest to get Othello and Desdemona’s marriage annulled. He is trying to get the two into an argument, and Othello becomes determined not to let Brabantio have his way. Later in the act, Iago explains to the audience how he is using Roderigo, the foolish man trying to get Desdemona, for his own financial gain, then explains to some extent how he will take advantage of Othello's believing nature to lead him to his demise.
Othello and Brabantio Fight
Due to Iago's manipulations, when Othello and Brabantio arrive at the meeting, Brabantio accuses Othello of enchanting Desdemona and stealing her away from him. Othello tells the truth about the situation though, saying that Desdemona decided to be with him of her own accord. He summons her and she backs up what he says, and Brabantio actually ends up giving them his blessing. Iago's first idea seems to have failed.
The Argument and the Council
Othello and Brabantio's argument functions a lot like the council in that it follows a format where someone takes the stage and makes a short speech, and others comment. However, the council is far more formal and polite than Othello and Brabantio's argument.
Iago and Janus
Iago's reference to Janus, the Greek God of doorways, is relevant because Janus has two faces, and is therefore two-faced like Iago.
Iago and Love
Iago believes that it is far more important to love oneself than to love another, and that the love of oneself is far too uncommon.
The Devil and Hell in Act 1
“Zounds, sir, you are one of those that will not serve God if the devil bid you” (Iago, Scene 1).
“In which regard, though I do hate him as I do hell pains, Yet for necessity of present life I must show out a flag and sign of love, which is indeed but sign” (Iago, Scene 1).
“Arise, arise, awake the snorting citizens with the bell or else the Devil will make a grandsire of you” (Iago, Scene 1).
“In which regard, though I do hate him as I do hell pains, Yet for necessity of present life I must show out a flag and sign of love, which is indeed but sign” (Iago, Scene 1).
“Arise, arise, awake the snorting citizens with the bell or else the Devil will make a grandsire of you” (Iago, Scene 1).
Foreshadowing
In the "Masters and Slaves" speech in Act 1, Iago shows that he is someone who, while they may serve their master, will go their own way and do what they want when they have the opportunity to, as Iago ends up doing.
Iago the Pimp
Iago is a lot like a pimp because he has Roderigo pay him so that he can get with Desdemona. Pimps get paid to get their clients with a prostitute.