Act 2 Scene 1 – The opening scene in Cyprus so far

1. (From Line 61) Pick out any descriptions of Desdemona made by Cassio eg. “The riches of the ship” (83)

2. Cassio kisses Iago’s wife Emilia as a greeting – what do you think Iago’s response to this means? (100-102)

3. Puns are examples of wordplay - words having double meaning –think up any double meanings or associations with “black” and “white” that Iago mentions lots between 125-155

4. What is meant by Cassio’s apology to Desdemona in line 161?5. Iago notices the attention Cassio plays to Desdemona: In an aside (starting 163)

to the audience he sees how his plan is going to work – pick out the line that contains some kind of animal imagery, copy this down and explain what it means.

6. Read Iago’s aside (190-192) – What do you think this musical metaphor is trying to say about what Iago is planning to do?

Second half of Act 2 Scene 1:Iago and Roderigo

1. Plan into motion: Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio – why do you think he does this?

2. Re-read 248-62: What does Iago want Roderigo to do as part of his plot?

3. Act 2 Scene 1 – Iago’s soliloquy!a) What does Iago again accuse Othello of? (Include quote)b) What does he fear about Cassio in Line 288?c) What do you think is the meaning of the final line of the

speech?

Act 2 Scene 1

• Starter Question: What has happened to the Turkish fleet of ships that were on their way to attack Cyprus?

• At the start of Act 2 Scene 1 we find out that the Turkish fleet has been destroyed by a storm. Yay!

Descriptions of Desdemona made by Cassio eg

• From the top of page 23: (lines • “The captain’s captain”• “A maid that paragons description and

wild fame”• She “excels the quirks of blazoning

pens”• She is “the essential vesture of

creation”• “The divine Desdemona”• “The riches of the ship”

Iago’s aside (bottom of page 26) when he sees Cassio’s “over-friendly” behaviour towards

Desdemona

• Iago (in an aside) “He takes her by the palm. With as little a web as this will I ensnare a great fly as Cassio.”

• An aside is a line spoken that only the audience can hear – like a mini soliloquy (Iago uses these lots to let us in on his scheming!)

• Which means? With such flimsy evidence as this, Iago will trap Cassio, accusing him of an affair with Desdemona

Musical metaphor on page 27(line 185)

–Another Iago aside:(On seeing the joyful reunion of Othello and Desdemona after their voyage to Cyprus)

“Oh, you are well tuned now, But I’ll set down the pegs that make this music, as honest as I am”

Which means? You may be happy now, but when my plan is put into action your happiness will be ruined – or I am not honest (irony because he’s anything but honest.. Evil laugh may follow here!)

Iago and Roderigo(page 29)

• Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio (shows he is even lying to his “friends”)

• This angers Roderigo so he will join in this plot to ruin Cassio

• There is going to be a feast to celebrate the Turkish army being wiped out in the storm – on page 29, Iago wants Roderigo to start a fight with Cassio.

• He tells Roderigo to “provoke him” so that Cassio is made to look bad!• Iago reminds Roderigo that if Cassio is out

of the way, “you have a shorter journey to your desires” – his hopeless dream of being with Desdemona

Iago’s Act 2 Scene 1 soliloquy (page 29-30)

• “That Cassio loves her, I do well believe ‘it” - believes that Cassio is really in love with Desdemona

• “I do suspect the lusty Moor has hath leaped into my seat” – think Othello has also slept with his wife Emilia, being paranoid?

• “Knavery’s plain face is never seen til used.” – You can never see the end of an evil plan until the moment comes… (Evil laughter optional)

Today’s reading – starting from page 30, Act 2 Scene 3

• Act 2 Scene 3 –• Othello• Desdemona• Cassio• Iago• Roderigo• Montano