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Othello | Act I Commentary
Scene 1
Like other Shakespeare plays, Othello opens with a scene that sets the tone for the rest of the play. The playwright is intentionally vague in the details of the conversation between two men with one exception: line 2 reveals that one of the men is called Iago. We arrive in media res, literally in the middle of things.
The first man is complaining that Iago has spent his money freely and is very upset that Iago knows about "this" (I.i.3). As the conversation continues, we learn that Iago hates "him" (I.i.6) because "he" has passed over Iago for promotion to...
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- Othello: Introduction
- Othello: Summary
- Othello: William Shakespeare Biography
- Othello: Reading Shakespeare
- Othello: List of Characters
- Othello: Historical Background
- Othello: Summary and Analysis
- Othello: Critical Commentary
- Othello: Quizzes
- Othello: Essential Passages
- Othello: Themes
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Othello: Essays
- The Role of Race in Othello
- The Villainy of Iago
- Deception in Othello
- The Relationship Between Othello and Iago
- Why does Desdemona Marry Othello?
- Why Does Othello Change His Mind About Desdemona's Fidelity?
- The Women of Othello
- Geography's Role in Othello
- Opposites Attract: Othello and Desdemona
- The Use of Humor in Othello
- Motivations for Characters' Actions in Othello
- An Analysis of Four Shakespearean Villains
- Othello: Criticism
- Othello: Selected Quotes
- Othello: Suggested Essay Topics
- Othello: Sample Essay Outlines
- Othello: Modern Connections
- Othello: Media Adaptations
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Othello: FAQs
- Why does Shakespeare choose Venice for the opening scenes of Othello?
- Why does Iago choose Michael Cassio as an instrument of revenge against Othello?
- Why does Shakespeare move the setting of the play to Cyprus?
- Does Iago have a love life of his own?
- What is Roderigo's function in the play?
- What is Lodovico's function in the play?
- Othello: Bibliography and Further Reading
- Othello: Pictures
- Copyright
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