Act 1 Scene 2 Questions

How does Othello respond to Iago's baiting?

In Act 1 Scene 2  Iago try's baiting Othello into fighting Brabantio, according to the stereotypes of Africans as told by Leo Africaanis and the binaries pulled from it by Edward Said Othello would be irrational and fight and take the bait. Instead he acts in a calm manner and instead of fighting is being passive by saying "let him do his spite," (1.2.17) which means he is saying let him talk I will not act on it demonstrating he does not fit the stereotype and is thinking rationally.   

How does Brabantio react upon meeting Othello? 

Brabantio reacts very rudely upon meeting Othello. He accuses him of witchcraft by saying " thou hast enchanted her,"(1.2.64) . He also proceeds to call him names such as ''theif," and " abuser of the world," which show he does not respect Othello or what he has done.

How does Othello react to Brabantios charges?

Going against the stereotype of being irrational Othello reacts to calmly to Brabantions charges. He proves he wants to work thing out when he says " where will you that I go to answer this charge," ( 1.2.84-85) which means he want to go and talk out a solution rationally instead of fighting. Othello breaks a stereotype by instead of being "lawless,"  as Africans are described as by Leo Africaanis Othello wants to work it out in the courts.

Our thoughts on Othello after Act 1 Scene 2?

Act One Scene 2 displayed Othello very differently then stereotypes of Africans at the time the play was written. The widely popular book at the time written by an African named Leo Africaanis describes Africans as irrational. Othello breaks this stereotypes by not fighting Brabantio and letting him " do his spite,"(1.2.17)  which means talk against his honor in this case instead of fighting. According to Leo Africaanis Africans value their honor: "so  desirois of riches and honour," Is how people from Africa are described in the text meaning the will do anything for their honor , Othello does not git these stereotypes because he does not think irrationally and fight Brabantio a powerful senator to defend his honor.