Here is the answer and explanation to the question Explain the impending crisis that the duke and his senators face at the beginning of act 1, scene 3, of Othello.
Explain the impending crisis that the duke and his senators face at the beginning of act 1, scene 3, of Othello.
The imminent threat of the Turkish fleet, a seemingly hopeless impending crisis which could result in the loss of Venice’s valuable colonies in the Mediterranean.
Bạn đang xem: Explain the impending crisis that the duke and his senators face at the beginning of act 1, scene 3, of Othello.
| Certified Educator
News has arrived that the Turkish fleet appears to be heading toward Rhodes. The island, like Cyprus, is also part of Venetian territory, though it has much less strategic value. The general consensus among the senators is that this is nothing more than a trick to try and lull the Venetians into a false sense of security. Their suspicions prove correct, as the Turks soon turn back toward Cyprus, their original target.
In the midst of such a serious international crisis, one would think that Brabantio would have more important things to worry about than his daughter’s alleged bewitchment by Othello. But no; he’s adamant that the Duke and the assembled senators should put aside the little matter of the Turks’ imminent invasion and listen, instead, to his lurid tale of the wicked spells and magic potions that Othello is alleged to have used in seducing Desdemona.
| Certified Educator
We see the senators and the Duke in a very important council of war at the beginning of Act I scene 3. Although the precise number of ships is not specified, and indeed the group of leaders have received differing accounts, all reports agree that the fleet of galleys, however many they are, are a Turkish fleet, and that they are heading towards Cyprus. Note what the Second Senator says:
As in these cases, where the aim reports,
‘Tis oft with difference–yet do they all confirm
A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.
Of course, news arrives to suggest that the fleet is going to attack Rhodes, which the group of leaders shrewdly interpret as a deflecting tactic on behalf of the fleet, as Rhodes was more heavily defended than Cyprus, and Cyprus was actually far more important to the Turks. Of course, the military meeting is interrupted by the arrival of the main characters and Brabantio’s charges against Othello.
See eNotes Ad-Free
Start your subscription to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.
Start your Subscription
Do you find that the article Explain the impending crisis that the duke and his senators face at the beginning of act 1, scene 3, of Othello.
If not, please leave a comment below the article so that our editorial team can improve the content better
Post by: THCS LeQuyDon
Category: question
#Explain #impending #crisis #duke #senators #face #beginning #act #scene #Othello #eNotescom
