How do the Duke and Senators speak of Othello?
The Duke and Senator 1 refer to Othello as 'valiant' (brave), but he is still called the Moor by Senator 1. The Duke refers to Othello by his actual name, showing more respect for Othello even though he is black.
How does Brabantio speak of his daughter?
Brabantio is aware that Desdemona is not stupid 'being not deficient, blind or lame of sense' so whatever has happened to her must be fairly serious in his opinion. Brabantio then goes on to imply that Desdemona is much better than that (marrying Othello) and must have been drugged 'against the rules of nature' and 'conjoured to this effect' to have such a mindset. Brabantio also talks of Desdemona being 'stolen' as though she is a possession to him which can be taken away from him, showing the objectification of women.
What do we learn about views towards foreigners/moors?
Othello as The Moor is described as 'valiant' (L47 and L48) by the Duke and Senator 1 which is a positive slant on his personality, however Brabantoio, after finding out Othello has married his daughter, is certain that The Moor has used 'some mixtures powerful o'er the blood(...)conjured to this effect, he wrought upon her' (L104) implying that The Moor is not worthy enough of his daughter and has elements of mysticality as he is able to use magic. Views not only to The Moor but foreigners also is that they are objects of curiosity because of their extravagant adventures. Othello retells the stories said to Desdemona to the court and talks of 'disastrous chances' (134), 'being taken by the insolent foe' (137) and 'sold to slavery' (138) which occurred because he is different/ 'foreign'.
What is ironic about Othello's claim that "Rude am I in my speech"?
Othello claims that his speech will be 'rude', setting the court up to believe that he isn't very good at speaking aloud and less eloquent than those around him yet after his monologue entailing how he 'wooed' Desdemona (by, ironically, telling stories) the Duke tells him that 'this tale would win my daughter too' (L171). Othello clearly is well spoken and interesting to listen to because it is how he 'won' Desdemona and explains that his storytelling is 'the only witchcraft I have used' (169).
What is startling about Othello's decision to let Desdemona speak on his behalf?
During this time period (1600's) women were extremely subordinate and to be speaking in court was very rare. Desdemona defends herself and her marriage in court after being encouraged by her father 'where most you owe obedience?' (179) and explains she is to be more dutiful to Othello now that they are married because that is the female tradition which she is following from her mother 'here's my husband(...)preferring you before her father' (184) and so Desdemona favours The Moor over Brabantio. On line 248 Desdemona declares that she wants to go to Cyprus with The Moor 'that I did love the Moor to live with him' which again is rather startling because usually women of that time have no say in what they do, and for Desdemona to choose where she will go challenges the status quo of women (which Desdemona has done before choosing to marry the Moor).
Using the thinking question below, what 'stories' does Othello tell in his speech to the senate?
'Othello's tragedy is that he lives according to a set of stories through which he interprets the world-an ideology- but it is a world that has been superseded. He cannot see that this is so, and the contradictions within his ideology destroy him. He is living in the life of a chivalric warrior in a world run by money and self-interest'.
Othello talks of his times in battle and as a soldier and how he has been a brave and great soldier that has fought hard to get where he is today 'the battles, sieges, fortunes that I have passed' (130) and how he was 'sold to slavery' (138), even horrific sights where 'cannibals that each other eat' (143) however the war he is about to face isn't a war at all and therefore he is out of his comfort zone. Othello has no war, battle or siege to fight so lets his weaknesses (believing rumours) take over him because he has nothing better to do; he has little experience in this specific field. This is inflicted by Iago's realisation that the world is run by money and self-interest and uses ways of manipulation to get what he wants (money and Othello gone) while Othello is still living on in his glory as a chivilric soldier.
