Othello Act I Questions for Consideration

Act One - following the plot. Provide textual evidence that supports the following two
statements.

Act I, Scene i
Plot Summary
Roderigo is unhappy with Iago for failing to
promote his marriage to Desdemona.

Textual Evidence

Iago and Roderigo inform Brabantio that his

daughter, Desdemona, has secretly
married the general Othello.

We do not actually meet Othello in this first scene, we only hear about him from others.
Note how the Moor is described. Make a list of quotations and note who said what.

This opening scene is laced with dramatic irony, all of which centres on Iago. This villain
reveals himself very early on. Make a note of instances where the audience knows
something that a character on stage does not. What effect does this have? What
theme does this suggest?

Note significant quotations that show Iagos true personality and anything else that gives us a
sense of what type of person this man is.

Read the following lines 5 times, emphasizing a different word each time. How does changing
which word is emphasized change the tone?
We cannot all be masters
We cannot all be masters
We cannot all be masters
We cannot all be masters
We cannot all be masters

Act 1, scenes 2 & 3 Group Review

Work together on this in your group, but be sure each student has her/his on notes!

Act I, scene ii
Plot Summary
Othello is called to the Venetian council
on urgent military business.

Textual Evidence

Brabantio accuses Othello of bewitching

his daughter.
We finally meet Othello! His first words in the play, in his first two speeches here, give a
calm, confident, authoritative response to Iago, who is trying to get him agitated. He is also
very calm when he is confronted with Brabantio. Find evidence here of Othellos calm and
write it below.
1) When talking to Iago:
2) When talking to Brabantio:
3) Analyze Othellos responses to Brabantio. What makes Othellos responses impressive?

4) Compare & contrast the two men of power in this scene, Othello and Brabantio. Who
puts forth a nobler persona? Who is more reasonable? Who is more in control of his
emotions? How do you know?

Act I, scene iii

Plot Summary
The senate discuss the war with the
Turks.

Textual Evidence

Othello answers Brabantios

accusations and is sent to Cyprus on a
military campaign.
Iago starts to plan his revenge against
Othello.
Othellos military prowess is established early in this scene and this confidence is applied to
all aspects of his life. (Note the combination of exotic imagery and powerful rhythms that he
uses in his speech.)
1) Find 1 strong quotation that illustrates this cool confidence:

Deceitful Iago! In your own words, write Iagos plan for Othellos downfall:

Act I Review:
From what you have heard about him, what he says of himself and how you imagine he might
appear in a stage production, highlight the five descriptions below that best summarize
your view of Othello so far.

An untrustworthy stranger
a worthy soldier
a calm, measured, statesman-like man
a man of high principles
a Moor
an exotic figure
dangerous and unreliable
an exotic and attractive figure
a highly respected leader
a man for whom sexual desire is paramount
a man who has earned high office because of his virtues
a man with enemies
a dangerous man
FINALLY!
In your group, provide comment & textual evidence to PROVE one of the following
statements. Write a short paragraphas a groupbelow!
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

Othello is important in the State of Venice

Othello has complete faith in Desdemonas fidelity
Iago hates Othello
Iago is using Roderigo and taking money from him
Othello is a great storyteller
Desdemonas love for Othello is true

Othello Act 2 Questions for Consideration

Review the Beginning of Act 2, scene 1
1. How does Shakespeare create dramatic tension? What is happening that might make
an audience concerned about the characters?

Plot Summary
The Turkish Fleet is destroyed in
a storm.

Textual Evidence

Othello and Desdemona are

joyfully reunited.
Iago seems determined to wreck
Othellos and Desdemonas
happiness.
1. As the ships arrive, Shakespeare has dramatically compressed the passage of
time AND used random Gentlemen to explain what has happened off stage.
Why has Shakespeare done this? For what other purposes might Shakespeare use such
manipulation?

2. Review the social banter scene (Iago as joker, puns, double entendre, dramatic
irony)& respond to these possible interpretations, why do you agree or
disagree? Use evidence from the play.
This is a scene
which is strictly comic, in which sexual flirtation and verbal humor are used to
provide light relief before more serious scenes

.. which is wrought with sinister undertones, in which the joking has more worrying
and threatening implications, provoking anxiety in the audience

3. List Cassios attributes that Iago plans to exploit.

4. What is Roderigo instructed to do (by Iago) and why him?
5. Review Iagos soliloquy:
a) What further motives are revealed here?
b) What is his goal for Othello?
c) What are the next steps in his plan?

Act II, scene ii What is the Heralds message? YAY!

Review Act II, scene iii

Plot Summary
Iago cajoles Cassio into drinking
too much so, when provoked by
Roderigo, he fights.
Cassio is dismissed by Othello, but
Iago suggests he ask Desdemona
to help him.
Roderigo wants to go back to
Venice.

Textual Evidence

In this scene, everything hinges on Iagos ability to persuade those around him
that he can be trusted, not just by Othello but by Cassio as well. Try your best to find
examples of ALL Of Iagos persuasive techniques then you will uncover how a true evil
mind operates!
-

Cajoling:

Insinuating:

Saying what people want to hear/Flattering:

Lying:

Appearing reluctant to say something:

Pretending to be nicer than he is:

Reassuring:

Quotation Analysis Practice: Iago again, isnt he evil

IAGO (soliloquy):
Now, mongst the flock of drunkards,
Am I to put our Cassio in some action
That may offend the isle. -- But here they come,
If consequence do but approve my dream,
My boat sails freely, both with wind and steam.

(1) Translation:

(2) Context of the play & importance:

(3) Highlight all the literary features you see, then write about the effect of one!

Othello Act 3 Questions for Consideration

Act III, Scene i

Plot Summary
Cassio asks Emilia to help him
gain access to Desdemona

Textual Evidence

Comic relief Poor Cassio is in despair while the Clown engages in some word play. He makes
crude jokes (bawdy humor) with double meanings for wind instrument and tail/tale and
pipes (remember the clyster pipes from II, I, 172?) and stirring.
1. Why does Shakespeare insert this humor HERE?

Act III, Scene ii

Plot Summary
Othello is sending letters to
Venice

Textual Evidence

Not much to say about this scene except that Othello is doing mundane tasks, blissfully
unaware of Iagos plotting. Iago knows Othello is heading out for a walk so Iago knows he will
be occupied for some time.

Act III, Scene iii

Plot Summary
Iago plants the seeds of
suspicion.
Eventually Othello believes that
his wife is unfaithful.

Textual Evidence

Emilia delivers Desdemonas

handkerchief to Iago.
What is the mood at the beginning the scene?

What is your impression of Desdemona? Confident, submissive, flirtatious,? What

words or phrases create this impression?

As you read lines 93-259, consider who is in control. Who has the power?

Listen to Othellos soliloquy (lines 260-281).

This is the first chance the audience has to see into his mind and find out what he really
thinks about Iagos honest insinuations. We also get a glimpse of some insecurity and
uncertainty in Othello, some cracks in Othellos noble armor.

Finish listening/reading the end of the Act III, Scene iii

Pay attention to what is happening just after line 451 until the end of the scene a marriage
of sorts??

Othello Being Poisoned by Iago LOOKING CAREFULLY AT HIS EVIL PLOT!

Make a flow chart which sets out the stages by which Iago convinces Othello of his
wifes infidelity. List 6 8 quotations which you think are significant in this process.
Do this work on a separate piece of paper.

Investigating HONESTY:
Iagos success depends on Othellos perception that he is honest. Skim ead Act 3
looking for references to honesty (eg. L.371-88). Make a note of the context in which each
reference occurs. What is the value and significance of this word in the play?

Act III, Scene iv

Plot Summary

Textual Evidence

Desdemona continues to try to get

Cassio reinstated.
Othello is obsessed with the
handkerchief.
Cassio gives the handkerchief to
Bianca, his mistress.

Read/listen to III, iv When listening, explore the following: (in chronological order)

Show how Othello and Desdemona are talking at cross purposes in their exchange about
hands (L. 32-44) How does Othello interpret her moist hands?

Emilias silent presence would be noted on stage - what might she be thinking? (l.48-72)
Notice that Emilia still keeps quiet about the handkerchief even when alone with
Desdemona. WHY NOT? Is there a clue in her speech Tis not a year or two IS she thinking
of Othello, or Iago? (L. 48-101)

Desdemonas first speech is heart breaking. Look particularly at what she is saying. (L.134161)
WHY does she blame herself?

How many differences can you find between the tone and language Cassio uses with Bianca
and with Desdemona? Does this affect your opinion of Cassio in any way?

Othello Act 4 Questions for considerations

Act IV, Scene i

1. What does Othello's language in lines 35-43 suggest about his state of mind? How is his
language now much more like that of Iago than it was?

Plot Summary
Iago gets Cassio to talk
about Bianca but makes it
seem as if hes talking about
Desdemona
Bianca comes in with the
handkerchief and Othello is
enraged!

Textual Evidence

Othello hits Desdemona and

Lodovico is there to see him
act so ignoble.
2. Why does Shakespeare include Lodovico in this scene? What is his reaction to Othellos
behavior? What role does he play? Explain with evidence below:

Act IV, Scene ii

Plot Summary
Othello accuses Desdemona
of infidelity

Textual Evidence

Iago pretends to comfort

Desdemona Emilia is very
angry about Othellos
treatment of Desdemona
Iago and Roderigo argue
and Iago keeps planning
deceit for Roderigo to
undertake
3. Why doesn't Desdemona react more strongly when Othello accuses her of infidelity?

4. Read the conversation between Iago & Roderigo carefully:

a. Why is Roderigo angry at Iago? What does Roderigo want to do? What does he
want Iago to do?
b. What does Iago want Roderigo to do?

Act IV, Scene iii

Plot Summary
As Emilia prepares her
mistress's wedding bed,

Textual Evidence

Desdemona talks of her

mother's servant Barbary
who was forsaken by a mad
lover
Then she and Emilia talk
about whether they would
be unfaithful to their
husbands or not.
5.

What is the significance of this conversation between Emilia and Desdemona?

6. What is Desdemonas song about? What does it foreshadow?

7. Why doesnt Emilia tell Desdemona what shes done?!

Quotation Practice = translate context Analysis effects!

Emilia:

Translation:

Yes, a dozen; and as many to the vantage as would

store the world they played for.
But I do think it is their husbands' faults
If wives do fall: say that they slack their duties,
And pour our treasures into foreign laps,
Or else break out in peevish jealousies,
Throwing restraint upon us; or say they strike us,
Or scant our former having in despite;
Why, we have galls, and though we have some grace,
Yet have we some revenge. Let husbands know
Their wives have sense like them: they see and smell
And have their palates both for sweet and sour,
As husbands have. What is it that they do
When they change us for others? Is it sport?
I think it is: and doth affection breed it?
I think it doth: is't frailty that thus errs?
It is so too: and have not we affections,
Desires for sport, and frailty, as men have?
Then let them use us well: else let them know,
The ills we do, their ills instruct us so.
1. Highlight and LABEL all the literary features you see in this passage

2. State the context of this passage and the importance of it at this point in the play:

3. Choose the THREE most important literary features that you feel best show Emilias
tone (attitude). Explain these features being sure to explain the effect on tone,
characterization, and audience.
a.

b.

c.

4. Finally, make a statement about what Emilia suggest about the role of husbands and
wives:

This is the end... My only friend the End

Othello Act 5 Questions for Consideration
1. Iago continues to steer the action from behind the curtain. As the scene begins, even
his phrasing is important. What do you notice about the first 5 lines? What features
stand out to you, what patterns do you notice?
Iago (talking to Roderigo):
1 Here, stand behind this bulk; straight will he come.
2 Wear thy good rapier bare, and put it home:
3 Quick, quick; fear nothing; I'll be at thy elbow:
4 It makes us, or it mars us; think on that,
5 And fix most firm thy resolution.
2. What happens when Roderigo attacks Cassio? Summarize the fight scene:

3. After the fight scene, what does Othello plan to do?

4. A host of actors enter the scene at this point.

a. What role do Gratiano and Lodovico play?

b. What role does Bianca play (Why is the saucy strumpet key now? Think in terms
of Cassio and Iago)?

5. What does Emilia learn upon her entrance? What does Iago tell her to do?

6. Iago begins and ends the scene? Why is this important? What does he suggest with his
final aside, This is the night / That either makes me or fordoes me quite.

Act V, Scene ii review & Exam practice

As you read this scene, look for the references to dark and light. Why are there so many
references to light and dark in the beginning of this scene?

1. Why does Othello think he must kill Desdemona? Write the line that tells you this:

2. Why does Othello kiss Desdemona before he kills her?

3. Why does Othello ask Desdemona if she has prayed?

4. How does Emilia knocking on the door add tension to the death scene?

5. Whats tragic about Desdemonas final words?

6. How does Emilia respond to Desdemonas death? Why do you think she exposes Iago at
this point and not previously?

7. For the second time in this act, Iago stabs someone from behind and then exits (Emilia
in this case, Cassio earlier). What does that show you about his personality?

8. Othello finds another sword, but can't use it because the sight of dead Desdemona
overwhelms him with guilt and grief. Write a few lines that SHOW this grief:

9. What does Lodovico announce will happen to Othello?

10.What is important about Othellos last two lines? What do you notice about these lines?
What features stand out to you, what patterns do you notice?
I kiss'd thee ere I kill'd thee: no way but this;
Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.

Annotate this Monologue by Othello that Begins Act V, scene ii:

OTHELLO
1 It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul,
2 Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!
3 It is the cause. Yet I'll not shed her blood;
4 Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow,
5 And smooth as monumental alabaster.
6 Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men.
7 Put out the light, and then put out the light:
8 If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,
9 I can again thy former light restore,
10 Should I repent me; but once put out thy light,
11 Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature,
12 I know not where is that Promethean heat
13 That can thy light relume. When I have pluck'd the rose,
14 I cannot give it vital growth again.
15 It must needs wither: I'll smell it on the tree.
[Kisses her.]
16 Ah balmy breath, that dost almost persuade
17 Justice to break her sword! One more, one more.
[Kisses her.]
18 Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee,
19 And love thee after. One more, and this the last:
[Kisses her.]
20 So sweet was ne'er so fatal. I must weep,
21 But they are cruel tears: this sorrow's heavenly;
22 It strikes where it doth love. She wakes.

Annotate Othellos (almost) Last Lines Act V, scene ii:

OTHELLO
334

Soft you; a word or two before you go.

335

I have done the state some service, and they know't

336

No more of that. I pray you, in your letters,

337

When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,

338

Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate,

339

Nor set down aught in malice: then must you speak

340

Of one that loved not wisely but too well;

341

Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought

342

Perplex'd in the extreme; of one whose hand,

343

Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away

344

Richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdu'd eyes,

345

Albeit unused to the melting mood,

346

Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees

347

Their medicinable gum. Set you down this;

348

And say besides, that in Aleppo once,

349

Where a malignant and a turban'd Turk

350

Beat a Venetian and traduced the state,

351

I took by the throat the circumcised dog,

352

And smote him, thus.

[Stabs himself.]