Othello Socratic Seminar Questions : A place to start
For homework (due Tuesday ): Please choose 5 of the questions below and respond to them in your notebook . You should have direct quotes from the story in your response s .
Othello’s character:
1. Should Othello be pitied?
Consider: Does Othello’s character learn anything? Does he get what he deserves? Is he a true tragic hero according to Aristotle? What is his flaw? Does his last speech change your opinion of him?
Iago’s character
2. Does Iago intend the fatal consequences from the beginning or is he making it up as he goes along? Does his plan succeed? Is he the “super villain” you imagined?
3. Why does Iago choose the path of silence towards the end of 5.2? Does Iago “win” in a way? What should be Iago’s punishment?
4. Who or what allowed Iago to be so treacherous? Explain your answer in full detail.
Desdemona’s character:
5. Why does Desdemona tell Emilia she took her own life? What does this say about Desdemona’s character? What does her character show/represent?
Play Overall:
6. Shakespeare’s control of language in this play is amazing. Comment on any lines or parallels that you find interesting from the play.
7. Are any of the characters justified in their acts of revenge? Explain. When is revenge justified? Why is this a tragedy?
8. Is this a play about the fatal-flaw of jealousy or is it a more complex cultural critique? What are Shakespeare’s motives?
9. How does the role of women in Othello influence the outcome of the play? Describe it as completely as you can.
Notes (for during Socratic) :