1. Why might Shakespeare choose to begin the play in the middle of a conversation between lago and Roderige? What effect does it have on you as a reader? What are the two of them discussing? 2. What reasons does lago give for being angry with Othello? 3 What might lago mean when he says: "I am not what I am"? 4. What other words/phrases does lago use in his short speech that relate to the idea that appearances are deceiving? 5. What are your first impressions of lago and Roderige? 6. 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? 7. What evidence of racism do you find in the first scene?