Othello Questions

Directions: In complete sentences, respond to each of the following questions. A strong effort on this assignment will go a long way toward ensuring a good grade on your Othello test.

  1. When the play begins, who has the job of lieutenant in Othello’s army? Why does Iago believe this person was chosen (I.i.38-40) and was a bad choice (I.i.21-25)?
  2. Why does Iago hate Othello?
  3. Why does Roderigo hate Othello?
  4. Why does Brabantio hate Othello?
  5. By what means, according to Brabantio, has Othello attained his daughters hand in marriage? Use specific textual evidence to explain the basis for your impression.
  6. What reasons does Iago give for continuing to maintain the appearance of friendship with and obedience to Othello (I.i.161-77)?
  7. Desdemona admits that she has a “divided duty” (I.iii.109). What does she mean by this? To whom, according to Desdemona, does she owe a greater share of duty?
  8. With whom will Othello not allow Desdemona to stay while he is at sea? With whom does she want to stay? With whom does she end up staying?
  9. Who decides where Desdemona will stay while Othello is at sea? What is the reason for this decision?
  10. What warning does Brabantio give to Othello after the Duke’s ruling? How does Othello respond?
  11. In Act 1, scene 3, lines 347-52, what is Roderigo threatening to do and why?
  12. In Act 1, scene 3, lines 368-72, Iago uses a metaphor to suggest the two contrary forces that operate within human beings. What is the metaphor? What is, according to Iago, the right course of action for Roderigo? What is ironic about Iago’s usage of this metaphor?
  13. In Act 1, scene 3, line 411, Iago uses the word “cuckold” for the first time. Look the word up on m-w.com. What does it mean? How does it relate to Iago’s plans?
  14. In Act 1, scene 3, lines 426-29, what are the two motives Iago gives for interacting with Roderigo?
  15. In Act 1, scene 3, lines 429-31, Iago gives a new reason for hating Othello. What is it? How does Iago explain or revise his reason for this in lines 431-33?
  16. In Act 1, scene 3, lines 436-37, what are Iago’s stated objectives? What plan does he arrive at in lines 438-39?
  17. What reasons does Iago give in lines 440-41 to justify his confidence that Othello will believe his wife is betraying him with Cassio? What reasons does Iago give in lines 433-34 and 442-45 to justify his confidence that Othello will believe what Iago tells him?
  18. Whose is the first ship to arrive at Cyprus in the beginning of Act 2?
  19. There’s a new person in charge, according to Cassio and Iago (II.i.81; 333-34). Who? Why? What makes them think this?
  20. In Act 2, scene 1, what “bold show of courtesy” does Cassio show? Why is this an awkward moment for those present? What might Iago take Cassio’s gesture to imply?
  21. In Act 2, scene 1, lines 137-38, Desdemona speaks in an aside. Express her thoughts in your own words. What is she saying about Iago and about the way she is behaving?
  22. In Act 2, scene 1, lines 151-52, Iago makes a claim about women who are thought “foolish” but in fact are not foolish. Express his thoughts in your own words. What is Iago saying about the women under discussion and what is he implying about women in general?
  23. In Act 2, scene 1, lines 183-84, Iago uses metaphor to characterize himself. To what does he compare himself? Why? What does this say about his knowledge of himself?
  24. Iago offers Roderigo some predictions about what will happen to Othello’s and Desdemona’s relationship (II.i.242-70). What does he predict? What are his reasons for this?
  25. Who does Iago suggest is Desdemona’s most suitable replacement for Othello? Why?
  26. In Act 2, scene 1, line 313, Iago says of Desdemona, “Now, I do love her too.” Examine these words in context. What does he mean by this? What kind of love is he talking about? Why does he “love” her?
  27. In Act 2, scene 3, lines 172 and following, what sides of Othello’s personality do we observe? What is his manner and behavior? Use evidence to justify your point.
  28. In Act 2, scene 3, lines 308-10, what does Cassio mean when he says, “O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains”?
  29. In Act 2, scene 3, lines 340-41, what does Iago mean when he says, “She holds it a vice in her goodness not to do more than she is requested”? How will this personality trait will reinforce Iago’s plan?
  30. In Act 3, scene 1, who arranges for Desdemona and Cassio to meet?
  31. Desdemona tells Cassio, “I’ll watch him [Othello] tame and talk him out of patience; / His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift; / I’ll intermingle everything he does with Cassio’s suit” (III.iii.24-28). What makes her words ironic? What does the audience know about the significance of these words that she does not?
  32. What service did Cassio do for Othello and Cassio before the action of the play begins?
  33. How does Iago begin to make Othello have doubts about Cassio and Desdemona (III.iii.37-43; 105-06)?
  34. How would you describe Desdemona’s petitions to Othello on Cassio’s behalf (III.iii.68-82). How might her manner and determination reinforce Iago’s plan?
  35. How would you describe Othello’s reply to Desdemona’s petitions (III.iii.93-95)?
  36. What does Iago imply about Cassio’s honesty (III.iii.147-50)?
  37. Why, according to Iago, should Othello consider ignoring Iago’s suspicions about Desdemona (III.iii.170-74)?
  38. Who finds Desdemona’s handkerchief?
  39. Why does the handkerchief have such significance?
  40. Iago says that he’s heard Cassio speak longingly of Desdemona. Under what circumstances does Iago say Cassio spoke of her in this way?