Finishing Act 1 - 11th October

As the play progresses, we learn more about each character. In the end of Act 1, we learn particularly more about the character of Iago. Specifically his way of thinking, his outlook on life and also his future plans (or should I say plots).

After Desdemona and Othello's exit to the scene, we are left with Roderigo and Iago alone on stage. Roderigo experiences dark thoughts, depressing and suicidal: "It is silliness to live, when to live is torment: and then we have a prescription to die, when death is our physician" - while Roderigo feels pessimistic, Iago's train of thought is the complete opposite. He mocks Roderigo. Not only does he do this, he also constructs a conceit. An extended metaphor of what Iago believes how individuals should live their lives. A garden - by using imperatives, Iago directly addresses Roderigo and tells him 'we are thus or thus'. Imagery of 'nettles or 'sow lettuce' ... 'set hyssop and weed up thyme' contrast each other so boldly, and because they are natural images, Roderigo, and the audience are able to picture this metaphor so clearly and the message gets across successfully.

To further add on to Iago's use of imagery, life is shown as a scale. On one side of the scale there is reason, and the other sensuality. As a class, we anticipated how the scales of Iago's and Othello's scale would appear. We said that for Iago, it was extremely unbalanced. The reason side, would be heavy as we witnessed, from his conceit, that Iago prefers structure, complete control as he crafts his own garden. We decided Othello's scale, from previous analysing, would be a adversely different. The Moor, a passionate lover would have a scale where sensuality outweighs reason.

In addition to Iago's serial manipulation, his tactical and extremely persuasive language extends. The phrase "put money in thy purse" - this links to the very first lines Roderigo says in the play, "who hast had my purse as if the strings were thine." As a class, we developed the idea that whatever Roderigo's purse contains, the ammount belongs to Iago as well. Therefore, we concluded that the constant imperative of 'put money in thy purse' had dual meaning. It was firstly to motivate Roderigo to escape his dark thoughts and replant his garden, but also it meant that Iago, through manipulating Roderigo and influencing him, he will recieve much of the same reward in return and control his income.

At the end of this speech, much was revealed. We gathered, through linguistic devices, that Iago's plans are sexual. The words, 'delivered' suggested a sexual act of impregnating the time of the delivery of events in the womb. The term 'delivered' also depicts inevitability. In the same way a pregnant women delivers her baby, when a plan is created, it is bound to happen, according to Iago.

The image of sexual acts is reinforced on lines 385 - 386.

"It is engendered. Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light"

This powerful line (my favourite in the whole Scene) insinuates divine, religious and God-like imagery. The term 'engendered' depicts Iago's self belief of a craftsman. The image here is creating a human, this can be associated with God's role. Further suggesting that Iago with his plans plays the equivalent role as God. While this was an interpretation of the quote, we put together the words 'hell and night' ... 'monstrous birth' and came up with an idea which we said Iago has created a monster, and his construction is destructive and harmful - not only did this quote reveal Iago's ideas, it also foreshadowed future conflict in the play 'Othello' as the birth of this monster will bring 'light' in hell; a tragic event. In addition, the word 'must' links back to the theme 'inevitibility' and that Iago's plans will definitely happen.

To summarise the lesson, we considered the various reasons why Roderigo should be optimistic. Our conclusions were that:

1. Othello's and Desdemona's love was forced: "Desdemona should long continue her love to the Moor"
2. Money can make Othello change his mind: "Moors are changaable in their wills"
3. I (Iago) can help you
4. 'I can break up marriage, especially between these kinds of people' - IAGO

Hope this can help anyone who was unclear on the final section of Act 1!

LORESA