| 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