Othello Study Questions

Othello Study Questions

Othello Study Questions

Act I, scene i

  1. What is the setting (time and place) at the beginning of the play?
  2. Why is Roderigo angry with Iago?
  3. Why does Iago hate Othello?
  4. How does Brabantio find out about his daughter’s elopement?
  5. Why doesn’t Brabantio want Othello for a son-in-law?

Act I, scene ii

  1. What message does Cassio deliver?
  2. Why does Iago say that he felt like stabbing Roderigo?
  3. Who accuses Othello of witchcraft? Why?
  4. How does Othello react when Brabantio orders him arrested?
  5. To whom does Othello convince Brabantio to go and see?

Act I, scene iii

  1. According to Othello, how did he and Desdemona fall in love?
  2. Where does the Duke (Doge) send Othello?
  3. Where will Desdemona stay while Othello is away?
  4. How does Iago comfort Roderigo about losing Desdemona?
  5. What plan does Iago come up with for ruining Othello?

Act II, scene I

  1. How does the setting of the play shift in this act?
  2. What happens to the Turkish fleet?
  3. Why is Desdemona worried about Othello?
  4. Do Iago and Roderigo really think that Cassio and Desdemona are lovers?
  5. Whom does Iago suspect of having affairs with his wife?

Act II, scene ii

  1. What does Othello’s herald proclaim?

Act II, scene iii

  1. Why does Iago make sure Cassio gets drunk?
  2. Whom does Cassio wound?
  3. How does Othello punish Cassio for his part in the fight?
  4. How does Iago persuade Cassio to go to Desdemona?
  5. Why does Iago convince Roderigo not to go back to Venice?

Othello Study Questions (cont’d)

Act III, scene i

  1. Who brings in the musicians and why?
  2. What does Cassio ask the clown to do?
  3. What does Emilia agree to do for Cassio?

Act III, scene ii

  1. What task does Othello assign Iago?
  2. What will Othello be busy doing in the meantime?

Act III, scene iii

  1. What are Cassio and Desdemona talking about?
  2. What does Cassio leave Desdemona quickly when Iago and Othello arrive?
  3. How does Iago raise suspicions about Desdemona in Othello’s mind?
  4. How does Iago end up with Desdemona’s handkerchief?
  5. What does Iago promise to do within three days?

Act III, scene iv

  1. When does Desdemona realise that Othello is angry with her?
  2. Who is Bianca? How does she end up with Desdemona’s handkerchief?
  3. What does Bianca agree to do for Cassio?

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