Othello Unit Packet

Othello
A tragedy.
Name:
CHARACTERS AND SOCIAL STATUS

Othello: Profession soldier, Venetian general, called “General” or “Captain,” holds high
position, greatly respected, sent by Venetian government to defend Cyprus against the Turks in
Act I
Iago: Not a member of the gentry (class below nobility), not affluent, foot soldier
Cassio: Gentleman, member of the gentry, comes from Florence, educated (arithmetician,
trained in history of warfare, theoretical strategist)
Roderigo: Gentleman, member of the gentry from Venice, own lands, affluent, wants to marry
Desdemona
Desdemona: Lady, member of the gentry from Venice, father is a senator
Emilia: Not a member of the gentry, Desdemona’s personal attendant, below Desdemona’s
social position
TERMS TO BE FAMILIAR WITH
Lieutenant: The rank which Cassio has just been given, literally meaning “place holder.”
Second in command to Othello, he holds Othello’s place in his absence.
Cyprus: This island, near Turkey and Syria, was annexed by Venice in 1489 and conquered by
the Turks in 1571 (33 years before Othello was written.)
Moor: In Shakespeare’s time, equivalent to “African,” with the expectation that such a person
would be black. “Moor” was not a negative or derogatory word. Originally, it mean “native of
Mauretania,” a country in North Africa, but its meaning had become generalized by the 17th
century.
Ancient: A military rank (same word as “ensign”), properly of a standard-bearer, the man who
carried the flag on the battlefield. Because the flag identified the location of the army in battle, it
was crucial to allow the soldiers to find their position. The ensign/ancient had to be extremely
courageous and loyal, maintaining his position in the face of death. Of course it is ironic that
Iago, the deceiver, should have this particular rank.
Venice: An oligarchic (power rests with small number of people) city-state of enormous
mercantile wealth, Venice in Shakespeare’s time was a place for luxury and culture and was also
famous for its judicial system. Its trade was particularly choked off by the growing power of the
Turkish empire in the 16th century which extended into Europe as well as Asia and Arabia.
Hence the importance of Cyprus. Venice was a Christian state; Turkey was Muslim.
VOCABULARY WORDS
Janus:
Cuckold:
In media res:
Epilepsy:
Soliloquy:
Monologue:
ACT I LINE LOG
LINE(S) DESCRIPTION (WHAT’S GOING ON?)

ACT II LINE LOG

ACT III LINE LOG

ACT IV LINE LOG

ACT V LINE LOG

ACT I STUDY QUESTIONS
1. What does Iago promise Roderigo if he is patient?
2. What/who does Iago say he “hates”? Which Big Idea does this depict?
3. Besides Brabantio, who comes looking for Othello?
4. Who does Iago swear by? Why is this allusion significant?
5. What does Brabantio say Othello used to seduce his daughter? Which Big Idea does this
depict?
6. In the confrontation between Othello and Brabantio, who does Iago publicly support?
7. How did Desdemona fall in love with Othello?
8. Where does Desdemona want to go?
9. Who defends Othello and convinces Brabantio to relax?
10. What does it mean when Iago tells Roderigo to “put money in his purse”?
Discussion Notes:
ACT II STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Act II starts out with which form of nature?
2. Who does Cassio kiss on his arrival to Venice after the war? How does this look?
3. What word does Othello use to describe Iago?
4. What does Cassio apparently have a weakness for?
5. Who gets hurt in the brawl besides Roderigo and Cassio? How does this damage Othello?
6. What is Cassio most upset at losing? What does this reveal about his character?
7. Who does Iago tell Cassio to talk to about losing his job? What is his goal in doing this?
8. What two things does Iago say he must do?
Discussion Notes:
ACT III
1. Why does the handkerchief have special meaning for Desdemona and Othello?
2. What did Othello claim was wrong with him when he acted strangely with Desdemona?
3. When Othello says farewell in his lament, to whom/what is he saying farewell?

4. When Othello tells Iago to “give [him] a living” reason Desdemona is disloyal, what does Iago
provide him?
5. Where does the handkerchief come from? What does this contribute to Othello’s persona?
6. Why is Bianca upset with Cassio? Is he being fair to her?
7. Who ends up with the handkerchief at the end of Act III?
8. Where did Cassio say he found the handkerchief?
9. How long has it been since Cassio has gone to see Bianca?
10. Who is Cassio waiting for?
Discussion Notes:
ACT IV
1. What does Othello’s language suggest about his state of mind? How is his language now much
more like that of Iago than it was?
2. How does Iago go about providing the visual proof of Desdemona’s infidelity that Othello had
earlier demanded?
3. Why doesn’t Desdemona react more strongly when Othello accuses her of infidelity?
4. As Emilia prepares her mistress’s wedding bed, 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? What is each woman’s opinion? What is the significance of
this conversation?
Discussion Notes:
ACT V Storyboard
Create an eight-ten frame storyboard depicting the most important plot points of Act V.

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Othello

CHARACTERS AND SOCIAL STATUS

LINE(S) DESCRIPTION (WHAT’S GOING ON?)

LINE(S) DESCRIPTION (WHAT’S GOING ON?)

LINE(S) DESCRIPTION (WHAT’S GOING ON?)

LINE(S) DESCRIPTION (WHAT’S GOING ON?)

LINE(S) DESCRIPTION (WHAT’S GOING ON?)

3. Besides Brabantio, who comes looking for Othello?

4. Who does Iago swear by? Why is this allusion significant?

7. How did Desdemona fall in love with Othello?

8. Where does Desdemona want to go?

9. Who defends Othello and convinces Brabantio to relax?

3. What word does Othello use to describe Iago?

4. What does Cassio apparently have a weakness for?

8. What two things does Iago say he must do?

3. When Othello says farewell in his lament, to whom/what is he saying farewell?

6. Why is Bianca upset with Cassio? Is he being fair to her?

7. Who ends up with the handkerchief at the end of Act III?

8. Where did Cassio say he found the handkerchief?

10. Who is Cassio waiting for?

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