Othello Act I Scene I: Visages

The play begins with Roderigo and Iago having a conversation about Othello. Roderigo has just learned that Othello is married to Desdemona. Iago wants to be Othello's lieutenant but was replaced by Cassio. Iago reassures Roderigo that he hates Othello because Othello has chosen Michael Cassio, a man with no experience on the battlefield, to be his lieutenant. In the meantime, Iago only pretends to serve Othello until he is given the opportunity to promote his own self-interest. The two men confront Brabanzio, Desdemona's father, and tell him his daughter has ran off with Othello. At first, he does not believe the men because he has already told Roderigo to stay away from his daughter. However, Iago convinces him by telling him that Desdemona and Othello are having sex. Once Barbanzio is convinced, Iago leaves Roderigo alone and goes to attend on Othello. Brabanzio leaves his house furious, knowing that his daughter is not there and states that she is being charmed by magic. From the beginning of the scene, Iago expressed how negative he is. As the audience, you are suppose to view Iago as the villain. In the first scene he has already caused conflict between Brabanzio and Othello. He puts on a mask on whenever he is around Othello. He is only pretending to serve Othello for his own personal benefit. Othello is not mentioned by him name. He is referred to as "the moor", "thick-lips", and "the barbary horse"--all names that signify that he is dark-skinned. That fact that Iago paints himself as the villain allows the audience to immediately sympathize with Othello.