Othello Study Guide Questionskey

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Othello Study Guide QuestionsKEY

Act 1

1. What are Iago and Roderigo arguing about as the play opens?

• Money
• Desdemona marrying Othello when Iago promised Rodriego he would set them up

1. Who is Brabantio?

• Servant
• Desdemona’s father

1. Why do Iago and Roderigo awaken Brabantio in the middle of the night?

• To tell him Othello “stole” his daughter

1. Why does Iago leave Roderigo at Brabantio’s house?

• To get Brabantio fired up about Othello and Desdomona

1. What is Brabantio’s reaction to Othello’s marriage to Desdomona?

• Angry
• Thinks he must have tricked her with black magic

1. How does Brabantio feel about Othello?

• Betrayed because they were friends

1. Why does Duke send for Othello?

• Because he needs him to sail to Cypress immediately to stop the Turks for invading

1. What danger is Cyprus facing?

• Invasion from the Turks

1. Brabantio complains to the Duke about Othello’s marriage to Desdemona. After listening to both sides of the story, what is the Duke’s reply?

• What’s done is done
• No sense in crying over it

1. Who is Othello?

• Moor
• General in Venetian Army

1. Why is Othello so respected by the Duke?

• Decorated soldier to General

1. How is Brabantio’s complaint handled?

• The Duke listened to all 3 parties
• Diplomatically, calmly, rationally

1. How does Othello defend himself?

• He explains what happened

1. Why does Iago “hate the Moor?”

• Didn’t get the promotion

Act 2

1. Where are we as Act 2 begins?

• At Cyprus

1. What is the situation at sea?

• Bad storm

1. What has happened to the Turkish fleet?

• Sank

1. Which ship from Venice arrives first?

• Cassio’s

1. Which ship arrives second?

• Iago’s with Desdemona and Emilia

1. Who is Emilia?

• Iago’s wife

1. What does Iago think of women?

• Hates them
• Thinks of them as objects

1. What does the discussion between Desdemona and Emilia tell us about their relationship?

• They are friends and care for one another

1. How does Cassio greet Desdemona and Emilia?

• Like a gentleman
• Flirting and kissing his fingers

1. Why does Iago want Roderigo to anger Cassio?

• To start a fight with him; Want to get him fired

1. What is the purpose of Iago’s plan?

• To make Cassio look like a disgrace; To get Cassio’s job

1. What evidence is Iago using to rationalize his plan? Is his evidence solid?

• Cassio loves Desdemona and vice versa [they really don’t]

1. What keeps Roderigo from seeing the truth instead of Iago’s lies?

• It’s love/lust for Desdemona

1. What emotion seems to be governing Iago’s thoughts and actions?

• Revenge & anger/hatred

1. How does Iago see Desdemona?

• Fickle, young, foolish

1. How does Cassio see Desdemona?

• Beautiful, smart

1. Why does Iago want Cassio to drink more wine?

• To get drunk so he is easily provoked to fight

1. What is the outcome of Cassio’s drinking?

• He gets into a fight with Rodriego and Montano and loses his position as Lieutenant

1. What lie does Iago tell Montano about Cassio?

• He has a drinking problem and a short temper

1. Why does Othello strip Cassio of rank?

• Because of the fight and his drinking problem

1. Why does Iago want Cassio to ask Desdemona for help in restoring Othello’s faith in Cassio?

• So Iago can convince Othello they are having an affair

1. How does Iago get back in Othello’s good graces?

• Telling him what happened

1. What is Roderigo’s complaint? How does Iago answer it?

• He has spent all his money and still does not have Desdemona
• Have patience

Act 3

1. Why does Cassio bring musicians?

• To cheer up Othello

1. What is Othello’s response to the musicians?

• to go away / to stop playing

1. What does Emilia tell Cassio that Desdemona is already doing for him?

• She will speak to Othello on Cassio’s behalf

1. What responses do Iago and Othello have to seeing Cassio leave Desdemona?

• Iago – I don’t like that; sneak away looking so guilty
• Othello – still loves Desdemona and thinks she’s being a friend

1. How successfully does Desdemona plead for Cassio?

• She’s successful but annoying

1. What is Othello’s response to Desdemona as she leaves?

• He still loves her

1. Why doesn’t Iago simply tell Othello right away that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair?

• Because he wants to build suspense and wants to see for himself

1. Othello’s love for Desdemona is solid as can be, seen through line 93 on Act 3, Scene 3. Why does he become a man in misery by his next speech (3.3.190)? What has moved him from love to jealousy?

• He needs to see proof

1. What does Emilia find and give to Iago? What does Iago intend to do with it?

• Desdemona’s handkerchief
• Plant it on Cassio

1. What is Iago's reply when Othello demanded proof of his wife's disloyalty? [pages 163-165]

• Cassio talking in his sleep

1. What does Othello decide and command at the end of Scene 3?

• Kill Cassio within 3 days
• Kill Desdemona

1. How likely is it that Othello will keep an open mind until he has seen real proof? How much have Iago's suggestions about Desdemona's "nature" worked on Othello?

• Not likely
• He’s already decided to kill her 100%

1. Is there any chance of his changing his mind or of Desdemona's convincing him of her innocence after this speech?

• Probably not

1. What is Emilia's relationship with Iago? Desdemona?

• They seem to not like one another, but she is loyal
• Friends , servant
• Her loyalty lies with Iago

1. What, according to Othello, is the history of the handkerchief (3.4.53-73)? Is Othello telling the truth here? What else might he be doing?

• With – magic – etc.
• No just a tale
• Trying to make her feel guilty

1. What does the argument in 3.4.75-95 show about both Othello and Desdemona?

• Both stubborn
• Both unsure

1. What is Emilia's view of men (3.4.99-102)? How justified is she?

• Men see women as objects [use them]
• Yes, based on the way her husband treats her

1. Who is Bianca? What is her relationship to Cassio?

• A prostitute in love with Cassio

1. What does Cassio ask Bianca to do? What is her emotional response?

• Copy the handkerchief
• She thinks it’s from another lover

1. How does Cassio get the handkerchief?

• Because Iago plants it in his room

1. Who has the handkerchief at the end of Act 3? Why?

• Bianca [to copy it]

Act 4

1. After Iago lied and told Othello that Cassio confessed going to bed with Desdemona, what advice does he give the overwhelmed Othello?

• Naked in bed but didn’t do anything?
• Hide and listen to Iago talking to Cassio
• Tells him to be a man

1. What happens to Othello in Scene 1? How does Iago respond?

• He passes out [trance]
• Says he’s having an epileptic fit
• Keep working poison

1. How does Iago trick Othello into thinking Cassio is gloating and bragging about his affair with Desdemona?

• Iago asks him about Bianca knowing he will laugh and speak poorly of her
• Othello will think he’s talking about Desdemona

1. Why is Bianca angry with Cassio?

• She thinks the handkerchief was from another woman
• Gives it back and says she won’t copy it

1. How does Bianca's return with the handkerchief help Iago?

• Othello sees her give it back to Cassio

1. Why does Othello hit Desdemona?

• He’s angry with her because he thinks she’s having an affair

1. Who is Lodovico, and why has he come to Cyprus?

• Brabantio’s cousin
• To bring letters from the Duke
• To Othello – asking him to return to Venice

1. What is Lodovico's reaction to Othello's behavior towards Desdemona? How does Iago laterexplain Othello's behavior to Lodovico?

• Shocked
• Says this is typical but watch and see

1. Why does Othello ask Emilia about Cassio's affair with Desdemona, and what is her reply?

• Because she is so close with Desdemona
• She never saw anything; she is honest

1. How correctly does Othello identify his weakness in Scene 2?[pages 225-227]

• Correctly identifies his weakness as being impatient / too trusting; in comparison to Job

1. To whom does Desdemona turn for help after Othello calls her a strumpet?

• Emilia and Iago

1. Why does Iago tell Rodriego to kill Cassio? Why does Roderigo consent to think about it?

• To get rid of Cassio so he can’t be governor
• Othello and Desdemona will have to stay
• He’s a fool and still believes Iago

1. If Roderigo kills Cassio, what promisehas Iago taken care of?

• The promise Iago made to Othello [to kill Cassio]

1. Given Scene 3, between Desdemona and Emilia, is it at all possible that Desdemona could ever be unfaithful to Othello?

• No

1. What is the effect of the “Willow Song” and the interruptions to it?

• Probably foreshadowing something bad

Act 5

1. How would Iago gain from Roderigo's death? Cassio's?

• No loose ends
• No one can tell of Iago’s plan
• By becoming Lieutenant

1. What happens when Roderigo attacks Cassio?

• He has armor on and it does not hurt him

1. Who actually wounds Cassio?

• Iago

1. What does Othello assume has happened? Is he correct?

• That Iago has kept his promise about killing Cassio
• No, because Cassio does not die

1. After Bianca appears, what new part of his plot does Iago begin in Scene 1, starting at line 107?

• He tries to implicate Bianca

1. Who will get the blame for the attack on Cassio if Iago has his way?

• Rodriego

1. What justification does Othello try to give the murder of Desdemona in Scene 2?

• He says acting like God in the old testament – punishing the one he loves because he believes she was unfaithful

1. How does Othello kill Desdemona? What interruption occurs while he is doing it?

• He smothers her
• Emilia shows up

1. Whom does Desdemona blame for her death? Does Emilia believe her?

• She blames herself

1. How is Desdemona faithful to Othello to the end?

• She doesn’t tell that Othello really killed her

1. What happens when Iago tellshis wife not to speak and to go home, orders which good Renaissance wives should follow without question?

• She keeps talking and says no

1. What is Emilia’s reaction when Othello tells her that Iago has revealed Desdemona's affair with Cassio to him?

• She says she hopes his malicious soul rots in her forever

1. What is Othello finally beginning to realize at 5.2.205 ?

• Iago is evil and he’s been lying the entire time

1. What has happened to Desdemona’s father?

• He dies of grief because of her marriage to Othello

1. Why does Othello attack Iago?

• Because he knows

1. What is Othello’s reaction to having his sword taken away?

• Has fought worse with his bare hands & has another

1. How does Othello use the second sword he finds in the room?

• To kill himself

1. How do Roderigo’s pockets conveniently help to clarify much of what has happened?

• Letters to Iago from Rodriego explaining

1. What happens to Othello, Iago and Cassio in the end?

• Othello kills himself
• Iago is sent to be tortured by Cassio ; Cassio becomes the governor

1. Who gets Othello’s estate? Why?

• Gratiano [His last known relative]

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