epithet | a word, phrase, or expression used as a term of abuse or contempt; to express hostility |
racial slur | a derogatory or disrespectful nickname for a racial group; used without restraint |
Euphemisms | the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for something thought to be offensive, harsh or blunt |
modern epithets | loser, weirdo, nerd |
modern racial slurs | gringo, redskin |
modern Euphemisms | meeting his maker, female dog, 6 feet under |
epithets from Othello | knee crooking knave, thick-lips, profane wretch |
racial slurs from Othello | The Moor, Barbary Horse, Old Black Ram |
Euphemisms from Othello | making the best with two backs, transported from the gross clasps of a vicious Moor, an old black ram is topping the white ew |
ere | before |
gramercy | many thanks |
nought/ naught | nothing |
oft | often |
hither | here |
thither | there |
wither | where |
wherefore | why |
i’ | it, is, if, in |
’twas | it was |
ta’en | taken |
What do dashes mean in Shakespearean text? | a change of Focus or tone; signifies the focus and intent |
Othello | protagonist; “The Moor”; soldier who loves Desdemona |
Desdemona | daughter of the Venetian senator Barbanzio; secretly married to Othello; stays true to Othello |
Iago | Othello’s ancient; villain of the play; jealous of Cassio |
Michael Cassio | Othello’s Lieutenant; soldier; appears to be cheating with Desdemona |
Emila | Iago’s wife; find’s the handkerchief and gives it to Iago |
Roderigo | foolish; wants Desdemona; convinced that if he gives Iago money then he will help him win Desdemona; helps Iago kill Cassio |
Bianca | a prostitute; loves Cassio ( who teases who with the though of marrying her) |
Barbanzio | Desdemona’s father; senator |
Montano | the governor of Cyprus before Othello |
Duke of Venice | The official authority in Venice |
Clown | Othello’s servant |
Lodovico and Graziano | Barbanzio’s Kinsmen |
Settings | Venice and Cyprus |
Major themes 1 | Appearance vs. Reality (people aren’t as they seem) |
Major Themes 2 | Treatment of the “outsider” (ex: Othello being treated differently because he is a Moor) |
What is an ancient? | a flag bearer |
What is a lieutenant? | a place holder |
Why is Iago doing all of these terrible things in the play? | Cassio has been promoted above him |
Why is Cassio disbanded from the Army? | He gets into a street fight |
How does Iago make Othello think Desdemona has cheated on him with Cassio? | Iago talks to Cassio about all the things he has been doing with Bianca, Othello is hiding and thinks he is talking about Desdemona |
Why is Cassio talking to Desdemona so much? | Cassio is trying to get Desdemona to persuade Othello to give him his job back |
What does Othello see that”proves” Desdemona is cheating on him? | the handkerchief on Cassio that Othello has given Desdemona |
Who kills Cassio? | Iago |
How does Othello kill Desdemona? | strangulation |
Is Desdemona’s innocence revealed? | Yes, after Othello kills her |
Othello Test
August 5, 2019