Þthello Act 1 Study Guide Act 1. Scene 1
1. Why might Shakespeare choose to begin the play in the middle of a conversation between
lago and Roderigo? What effect does it have on you as a reader?
2. What are the two of them discussing?
3. What reasons does lago give for being angry with Othello?
4. What might lago mean when he says "I am not what I am."(line 66)?
5. What other words/phrases does he use in his short speech (lines 42-66) that also relate to
the idea that appearances are deceiving?
6. What are your first impressions of lago and Roderigo?
7. Why do lago and Roderigo go to wake up Brabantio, and how would you describe the way in
which they deliver the news to Brabantio?
8. What evidence of racism do you find in the first scene?