Othello

Desdemona’s father is Brabantio
Which character recruits lago to woo Desdemona for himself? Rodrigo
Who does Othello allow to bring Desdemona to Cyprus? Iago
What event delays Othello’s arrival on Cyprus? a storm
How does Cassio feel about Desdemona? she is a good, honorable woman
Why does Cassio become Othello’s lieutenant? bc Cassio is the opposite of Othello
Which of these best summarizes Iago’s views of women? they are needy, dependent, nagging
Which of these is Othello NOT insecure about? his position and rank
Iago motives for his revenge: – his bitterness at not getting promoted- his envy and hate of Cassio- rumors that Othello slept with Emilia
How does Iago get Cassio to quarrel with Rodrigo? he gets Cassio drunk
What is Iago’s desire outcome of Cassio and Rodrigo’s first fight? Cassio is demoted
How does Iago propose that Cassio will regain his reputation? he will get Desdemona to plead with Othello
Pairs of dramatic foils to each other – Othello and Iago- Othello and Cassio- Iago and Cassio
What does Iago recognize as Cassio’s main flaw? his inability to hold his liquor
Why does Desdemona decide to advocate for Cassio? bc he is a good man
Who takes Desdemona’s handkerchief? Emilia
What, to Othello, does the handkerchief symbolize? Desdemona’s love
How does Iago use the handkerchief to condemn Desdemona? he tells Othello that she gave it to Cassio
How does Iago describe jealousy? “the green-eyed monster”
What crime does Brabantio charge Othello with before the Venetian counsel? Bewitching his daughter
Who is the ruling figure of Cyprus, and what is his title? Montano, Governos
What is Desdemona’s reaction when Othello tells Desdemona of the great significance of the handkerchief? she says she wishes she had never seen it
In Act III, why does Emilia believe Othello is acting strangely? because of jealousy of Desdemona
What does Cassio do with Desdemona’s handkerchief? he gives it to Bianca to copy
What, does Othello say, was used to dye the handkerchief? blood from virgins’ hearts
How does Iago trick Cassio into confirming the fictional affair with Desdemona? Iago makes Cassio’s statements about Bianca seem like they address Desdemona
Why does Othello strike Desdemona in Act IV? Because she said “for the love I bear to Cassio”. These were loving comments towards Cassio so these caused him rage.
Who tells Brabantio that Othello and his daughter have been secretly married? Iago and Roderigo
Who is Roderigo in love with? Desdemona
When Cassio admits to Iago that Bianca is his lover, what does Othello do? (IDK) Assumes he is talking about Desdemona, as he does not hear her name
Upon finding the handkerchief what does Bianca think of it? (IDK) She thinks Cassio received it from another lover.
What does othello half expect to see when he looks down at Iago’s feet? Othello half expect to see the cloven hooves of a devil
What do you believe motivated Iago to Stab his wife? His own sense of pride and honor
Why is Emilia dangerous to Iago? Emilia knows the truth and tells Othello what she knows. This exposes Iago’s malicious plans and guilts.
Othello murders Desdemona by: Smothering her with a pillow
What does Iago call “the green-eyed monster”? Jealousy
Who has Brabantino forbidden in his home? Roderigo
What does Iago tell Roderigo has put Othello into a trance-like state? Epilepsy
What does Desdemona ask Emilia to do the night that she dies? Find her handkerchief
What is embroidered on Desdemona’s handkerchief? Strawberries
Who does Othello appoint to the job Iago wanted? Roderigo
Who does Iago accuse of murdering Roderigo? Cassio
To provoke his jealousy, Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with whom? Cassio
What is Iago’s rank, which he feels is unfair? Ensign
True or False: Rodergio once courted Desdemona True
What is the first piece of bad news Desdemona’s father received? his house has been robbed
Who does Iago claim Desdemona will be interested in once her love for Othello wanes? Cassio
Why is Cassio concerned about Othello’s safety? A violent storm is raging and has sunk a ship
What does Iago say will happen for Roderigo if Cassio is no longer a factor? he will have better chance with Desdemona
True or False: Othello is satisfied that the war is over True
What does Iago encourage Roderigo to do to Cassio? Provoke him into fight
What does the clown tell the musicians? to stop playing
Who pays musicians to perform for Othello and Desdemona? Cassio
Who does Iago say he will keep away from Cassio? Othello
What does Emilia tell Cassio that Othello and Desdemona are discussing? The incident between Cassio and Montano
Othello’s trance-like state, Iago tells Cassio, is a result of what? A fit of Epilepsy
What does Iago give Othello as “proof” of Desdemona’s infidelity? her handkerchief
What news does Lodovico bring? Othello is to return
What is Othello’s immediate reaction when he becomes convinced of Desdemona’s infidelity? rage, annoyance, anger, jealousy
Who is really the subject of Cassio and Iago’s discussion which Othello overhears? Bianca
For what purpose has the Duke of Venice summoned Othello? For a conference on military matters
How does Othello describe his love for Desdemona to Iago? true
True or False: Brabantio wants to attack Othello true
What does Iago say he has done for Othello in regard to Brabantio? resisted attacking Brabantio
What does Othello say will speak for him? His reputation
What reason does Iago give for his hatred of Othello? Othello has promoted Michael Cassio as lieutenant and he thinks his wife Emilia cheated on him with Othello.
What information do Roderigo and Iago give to Brabantio regarding Desdemona’s whereabouts? she has escaped with Othello
How does Iago make himself look favorable in Othello’s eyes? – Iago makes himself look favorable in other’s eyes is because he is able to inspire trust within others.- He uses his own manipulation of others, the critical element is that he is able to inspire others’ trust, causing him to be seen as favorable in the eyes of others.
To what does Brabantio attribute Desdemona’s affections for Othello? he said Othello threw a witchcraft on her
What is the military issue that the Duke of Venice and his senators discuss? They talk about the Turks approaching Cyprus.
What accusation does Brabantio make against Othello to the duke? Barbanzio claims that Othello forcibly took Desdemona by using drugs and enchantments.
What explanation does Othello give as cause for Desdemona’s affection for him? Othello attributes Desdemona’s love for him to when the two shared personal stories and in turn, they became more intimate because of it.
To whom does Desdemona pledge her duty? To Othello
What dramatic function does the conversation between Montano and the two gentlemen serve? The conversation between Montano and the gentlemen serve as a means for building suspense.
Why does Iago carefully observe the way Cassio greets Desdemona? he is known to be a flirt.
What information does Iago use to spark Roderigo’s interest in his plan to discredit Cassio? Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio.
What “proof” does Iago use to convince Roderigo that Cassio and Desdemona are lovers? Iago convinces Roderigo about Desdemona’s “affair” with Cassio by pointing out that they held hands.
Why does Iago instigate Roderigo to provoke Cassio to a fight? Cassio would gain public disapproval therefore leading to the revocation of his position.
Why does Iago urge Cassio to drink to Othello? Iago urges Cassio to drink to Othello so that he would get drunk and stir up commotion with the other drunk guards.
What happens when Cassio enters chasing Roderigo? When Cassio enters chasing Roderigo, Montano tries to restrain him which leads to Cassio fighting Montano.
How does Iago plan to bait Othello into doubting Desdemona’s fidelity? Iago is going to make it seem as though Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair.
What does Iago tell Cassio to do to restore the reputation he has sullied in Othello’s eyes? Iago tells Cassio to ask Desdemona to help him get his job back.
How does Iago plan to intensify Othello’s doubt about Desdemona? Iago plans to intensify Othello’s doubts by having him see Desdemona and Cassio together.
What function do the musicians and clown serve? The clown and the musicians serve as comic relief for the play.
How does Iago’s duplicity become evident when he speaks to Cassio?
What does Emilia’s remark about the rift between Othello and Cassio suggest about their relationship? When Emilia says that Iago is as upset by the rift between Cassio and Othello “as if the cause were his,” she demonstrates how she too has been fooled by Iago’s pretense.
Explain how Iago manages to arouse Othello’s suspicion in the conversation between Cassio and Desdemona. He convinced Othello of how talented liar she was since she had perfectly lied about their secret wedding before.
How does Iago use Othello’s racial differences against him? Iago tells Othello that she may want to separate from Othello because they are not of the same race.
How is the dropping of the handkerchief ironic? Bc the napkin represents her love for him and when he says it is too little and lets it hit the ground, it shows that he is not trying to hold on to what little love is left.
How is the conversation about jealousy between Emilia and Desdemona ironic? There conversation is ironic because Desdemona claims that Othello holds no traits such as jealous when, in reality, Othello at the very moment has succumb to jealousy.
Explain the significance of the handkerchief to Othello. The handkerchief was given to Othello’s mother by an Egyptian who in turn gave it to Othello and told him to give it to his wife and never lose it.
How does Othello react to Iago’s images of infidelity? Othello faints
Why does Iago speak to Cassio about Bianca? Iago speaks to Cassio about Bianca so that Othello would hear Cassio laugh about the promise of marriage which would result in Othello becoming even more angry.
Explain how the handkerchief has increased in significance. Because Bianca comes in and Othello has seen that not only does Desdemona give Cassio the handkerchief, but Cassio then gives it away to Bianca.
How has Othello changed up to this point in the play? Othello goes from not being affected by such situations to becoming jealous and suspicious of Desdemona and Cassio and he wanting to have them killed.
Explain the difference in the relationship between Desdemona and Othello compared to when they first arrived in Cyprus. When Desdemona and Othello first arrived in Cyprus, they were inseparable and their relationship did not suffer from distrust, jealousy, or suspicions; however, Othello has started to loathe Desdemona and Desdemona sees his jealousy.
Why is Emilia’s belief about what is causing Othello’s behavior ironic? Emilia’s belief is ironic because the person that has Othello thinking that Desdemona is untrustworthy is her very own husband, Iago.
What clue does Emilia offer about Iago’s own jealousy? Emilia says that Iago thought or suspected she was with Othello.
Why is Roderigo annoyed at Iago? Roderigo is annoyed because Iago told him that if he were to give Iago jewels to give Desdemona, then she would thank Roderigo; however, that never happened.
To what does Emilia attribute the fact that women betray their husbands? Emilia says that women betray their husbands because men do it as well as though it was a sport. She says it is often the husband’s fault with the way they treat their wives.
Explain Iago’s attitude toward Roderigo and Cassio. Iago does not care about what happens to Roderigo and Cassio because either way, he gains from it.
How does Othello come to think that Iago has kept his vow? Othello thinks that Iago kept his vow when he hears Cassio’s voice crying out for help.
4. Why does Iago stab Roderigo? Iago stabs Roderigo because he does not want everyone to know that he knows Roderigo because then they could find out that he was involved in trying to kill Cassio.
How does Iago cast aside suspicion of his own part in the plot to kill Cassio? Iago casts aside suspicion on his own part from the murder of Cassio by slapping Roderigo, pretending he does not know him, and coming up with a story and trying to put the blame on Bianca.
When does Othello show a change of heart towards Desdemona? When he sees her white skin sleeping
Why does Othello mention the handkerchief so often? Othello mentions the handkerchief so often because it is the one thing that has “proved” that Desdemona had an affair with Cassio and is the key to all of his rage and suffering as he is about to kill his wife.
Why does Othello kill Desdemona? because she has committed a sin and he believes that her death would bring justice.
How are all the plots and schemes revealed at the end of the play? The plots and schemes are revealed at the end of the play when Emilia tells Othello that she stole the handkerchief and gave it to Iago.
Why does Othello kill himself? Iago kills himself so that in the end he atones and takes punishment for what he has done