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OTHELLO Exam Questions and
Answers 2025
Graded A+
How is Othello highly respected in society? Ans✔✔- He has been an invited guest in Brabantio's home many times He is descended from royalty How is Othello valued by his military strategy? Ans✔✔- Duke wants only him to handle Cyprus He is named governor of Cyprus How is Othello confident and gracious? Ans✔✔- When Brabantio tries to arrest him, he remains calm and doesn't fight him When he is ordered to Cyprus, he says he will leave immediately, putting the need of the country before his own desires What are examples of Othello's tragic flaw? Ans✔✔- He chose to elope with Desdemona (insecure about what Brabantio might do) When Brabantio warns that Desdemona might betray him, Othello overreacts, swearing his life upon her faithfulness (jealous that Desdemona might not really love him forever) What is Othello's tragic flaw and will lead him to downfall? Ans✔✔- Jealousy. Bellwhether Ans✔✔- the leading sheep of a flock, with a bell on its neck. an indicator or predictor of something. Chimerical Ans✔✔- existing only as the product of unchecked imagination : fantastically visionary or improbable
Noisome Ans✔✔- having an extremely offensive smell. Proselyte Ans✔✔- Convert Deracinate Ans✔✔- Tear something by the roots Lachrymose Ans✔✔- Inducing to tears Risible Ans✔✔- Provoke laughter Obfuscate Ans✔✔- To confuse someone Polarize Ans✔✔- To cause separation between two groups Cozen Ans✔✔- To decieve Gratis Ans✔✔- An action is done without a fee Rapacity Ans✔✔- To be greedy paean Ans✔✔- A song of prize or triumphant Prurient Ans✔✔- having lustful desires or interests; tending to arouse sexual desires Cognate Ans✔✔- Related connected gamut Ans✔✔- The complete range or scope of something
suggests.
- Why does Iago want revenge against Othello? Does he make a convincing argument against him? Explain. Ans✔✔- Iago wants revenge against Othello b/c Othello chose another to be his lieutenant, someone (Michael Cassio) unfit for the position (he's never been in war before); Iago was then reduced to a mere servant/follower of Othello. ◦His argument has merit; Othello did ruin his career in the military. However, that's not enough to ruin Othello's & Desdemona's reps in the entire town. How does Iago act when Desdemona's dad appears at the window? Why does it take Brabantino so long to understand what Roderigo & Iago are telling him? Why don't they just name Othello from the beginning? Ans✔✔- When Bra appears at the window, Iago goes off on a tangent accusing his daughter of adultery; he uses crude language, antoginizing Bra. ◦It takes Bra so long to understand what Rod & Iago are telling him b/c he just woke up, & were also unclear about who they were talking about. ◦They don't tell Bra that its Othello b/c they want the crude language to upset him; it him angry enough to discover the truth & made the acts between Des & Othello seem disgusting & animalistic (also to make Bra angrier for not knowing who the stranger was). How does Iago lie at the beginning of this scene? Ans✔✔- He says that the man talking smack about Othello was Rod, when it was really himself.
Is Othello afraid of Bra? Should he be? Ans✔✔- ◦ No, he is incredibly calm about Bra finding out about him & Des. ◦He doesn't have much of a reason to be, since his position in society holds a little more weight than does Bra's standing as senator; the wars need Othello. What do we learn about Othello's background from this scene? Ans✔✔- He comes from a fairly wealthy background; related to royalty. Why has the Duke called for Othello? How can you tell that Othello is highly regarded in military circles? Ans✔✔- There is trouble in the war in Cyprus; they need Othello's guidance. ◦When the Duke found himself in a harsh situation, he made it a priority to has someone sent to seek out Othello specifically. ◦The Duke bent out search parties just to locate Othello
- Why is Bra so against having Othello for a son-in-law? Does he seem to blame Des for running off with Othello? Why isn't Othello arrested when Bra orders it? Ans✔✔- Bra doesn't want a black son-in-law. ◦Bra doesn't seem to blame Des for being with Othello; he accuses Othello of putting a spell on her, drugging her, abducting her, ect. ◦Othello isn't arrested b/c the Duke has sent for him, & he's needed for important state business. How does Des respond when Bra confronts her? Ans✔✔- She gives her loyalty to Othello. ◦She is very calm & matter of fact when she declares her obedience & love to Othello. ◦She feels respect, love, & obedience towards her dad b/c he's raised her, but she loves Othello more.
is ◦Besides Des & Bra, Oth's fellow officials (the Duke) have also enjoyed his stories; like now, the one about him & Des falling in love. ◦Though Othello doesn't seem like the egotistical type, he seems to have this idea in his head that everyone who meets him can do no less than love him. ◦He seems sincere & he likely tells the stories that he believes are true. Like Othello, Rod's in love. What's the contrast between the 2 lovers? How does Iago revive Rod's hopes? Why? Why's Rod paying him? Ans✔✔- Othello seems to be an honest & entirely open man; he is upfront with Des & later his officials about his feelings for Des. ‣ Othello is also willing to do whatever is necessary to prove his true love for Des & show his worthiness to his peers to be with her; it's Des's choice whether she wants to be with him. ◦Rod seems to be obsessed with the thought of Des; he has pursued her relentlessly despite her denial of him. ‣ Rod's love is unrequited. ◦Iago tells Rod that he has a plan. ◦Iago tells Rod his "love" is just lust; he shouldn't kill himself over it. ‣ He advises Rod to collect a lot of $$, & when Des gets tired of Othello she'll come running back to Rod. ◦Iago wants Rod to seduce Des so that they can make a fool out of Othello & ruin his life; Iago wants revenge on Othello & through Des seems the best way to do it. ‣ Iago also thinks that Othello slept with his wife, & is pissed at the mere thought that the rumor
◦Rod's paying Iago so that he can win over Des; Iago will get his revenge on Othello & Rod will get to be with Des; everyone wins.
- Iago plans to use Cassio against Othello; he'll tell Othello that Cassio is being too intimate with Des & he believes Othello will trust his word, b/c he seems to trust that men don't lie.
- Describe the events surrounding Othello's arrival in Cyprus. Ans✔✔- The people of Cyprus are all waiting for Oth & praying for his safe arrival. ◦Cassio, then Iago & Des, arrive before Oth; everyone seems worried about Oth b/c of the storm. ◦Iago sees Cassio & Des talking & begins his plot to make Cassio lose his position as lieutenant. ◦There's much rejoicing & reunion between Des & Oth when he finally arrives. Why is Des nervous before Othello shows up? Ans✔✔- The storm has separated him from everyone else, & it destroyed all the Turk's ships; she's worried about him & his ship.
- How does Cassio treat Des? Do you think they're attracted to each other as Iago plans to lead Oth to believe? Ans✔✔- He treats Des like she's precious; he has the men of Cyprus bow to her. ◦I don't think he's honestly attracted to her, just being nice & a good friend to Oth; though if he was, I don't think he'd ever act on it. What suspicions does Iago have about his wife? Are there any grounds for these suspicions? What does this tell you about Iago? Ans✔✔- He believes that his wife has slept around; specifically with Oth & Cassio. ◦No grounds for this suspicion; this tells us that Iago is a paranoid & tyrant man.
over a pretty wife himself.
- What's the mood of this scene? Ans✔✔- It's very celebratory & Cyprus seems to revere Oth greatly, praising his name. Why the celebration? Ans✔✔- They've defeated the Turks & Oth has been married; all reasons to them to celebrate Do you think Iago will participate? Ans✔✔- Iago will likely participate, so that he doesn't look suspicious to Oth. ◦Also, it's the perfect place to stage his plans.
- Explain how Cassio gets drunk, even tho he knows he has "very poor & unhappy brains for drinking." Ans✔✔- He's a lightweight, so he had one glass of watered-down wine, but ended up a little tipsy anyways. ◦He succumbed to peer pressure & the other soldiers gave hi
- Iago says to himself that if he can get Cassio to drink one more than he's already had, he'll have no trouble getting Cass to fight Rod. ◦Also, Iago's already gotten all the guards plus Rod drunk
- How does Cassio react when Iago refers to Des & Oth's sex life? Ans✔✔- Iago goes on to Cass about how pretty Des is & speculates that she's a great lover; Cass agrees, tho says she'd be a modest one. ◦Cass also goes on about Des's great attributes & winning personality.
- Cassio & Rod start brawling, & Montano is attacked & wounded by Cassio while trying to break up the fight. ◦Oth comes in (PO'd) then to break up the fighting & asks Iago who started it, & Iago tells him that
he found Cass chasing Rod with his sword; he said Rod must've said something terrible to Cass, b/c Cass wouldn't have attacked him otherwise
- What do Cassio & Rod argue about? How's the governor involved in the fight? Ans✔✔- Cass doesn't remember why he & Rod were fighting, or what about; he blames is on the alcohol. ‣ Rod was telling Cass that he was doing his job wrong; then, Montano called him drunk.
- Cass was not happy. ◦Montano ended up injured by Cass while trying to break up the fighting. What advice does Iago give Cassio after he's demoted? Is Cassio naïve in accepting the advice, or would it usually be good advice? Ans✔✔- ◦ Iago tells Cass to petition Oth to change his mind; Oth had no choice b/c it's policy to deal with bad situations like this. ‣ This would normally be pretty good advice; when you get on someone's bad side, you apologize & usually all can be forgiven. ◦Then, Iago tells Cass to ask Des to speak on his behalf; then, Cass's relationship with Oth will be repaired & with Des be made stronger. ‣ This advice would not be something that a friend would normally suggest; if Cass took this advice, he'd definitely be naïve.
- Why does Iago say to Rod "How poor are they that have not patience!/What wound did ever heal but by degrees"? Ans✔✔- Rod tells Iago that he's not got much fight left in him & wants to quit & go back home. ◦Iago is saying that all wounds heal in time & he'd be a fool to quit now when he's come so far; he
How does this scene show you that Oth is a busy man? Ans✔✔- Oth doesn't even have the time to deliver his own letter of thanks to the captain who brought him to Cyprus; busy being governor of Cyprus. ‣ He sends Iago to deliver his letter for him. Why's this a good time for Iago to act? Ans✔✔- Oth will be preoccupied with his duties & won't be able to account for Iago's whereabouts. ◦Also, Oth likely won't have the time or patience to deal with any of Iago's nonsense, & he hopes that Oth's irritation might be directed toward Cass & Des. Why does Cass leave Des in such a hurry? Why does Iago point that out to Oth? Ans✔✔- Cass feels uncomfortable being in the situation he finds himself (having Oth catch him with Des & Em); he doesn't feel he'd be helping his case as he is now. ‣ When Oth asks about it, Iago says surely Cass wouldn't leave so quickly/guiltily if he saw Oth coming. ◦Iago wants Cass to get caught sneaking guiltily away from Oth's wife to make Oth suspicious of Cass's actions Why's Des so willing to speak up for Cass? Do you think she goes too far? Ans✔✔- She thinks that Cass is an honest man & a loyal friend to Oth. ◦She probably does go too far in pestering Oth about it—insisting that Oth talks to Cass soon. ‣ She makes quite the case for Cass & Oth agrees since it's what Des wants so badly.
- "Michael Cassio/ That came a wooing with you, and so many a time / When I have spoke of you dispraisingly/Hath ta'en your part..." ◦Cass was very involved with Des & Oth's courtship.
interact & determine for himself if there's something more going on between it back up before they
- Iago questions to Oth about Cass's relationship to Des; did he know her while Oth was courting her? ◦Oth says Cass was the one who delivered messages between Oth & Des. ◦Iago questions Cass's honesty & begins to question to Oth the 'true' relationship between Cass & Des, hinting that they care(d) more about each other than they let on.
- Oth says to Iago that he won't suspect Des of infidelity until there is substantial proof rather than mere suspicion. ◦He won't be jealous until there's proof that he has reason to be When does Oth 1st begin to doubt Des? Ans✔✔- After Oth assures Iago that jealousy doesn't rule him, Iago tells Oth to watch how Des & Cass ‣ Oth asks Iago to have Em keep an eye on Des for him. ‣ Oth thinks to himself that, since Iago's so honest & perceptive, he may've seen something darker in Des that Oth himself hadn't seen before marrying her How does Emilia get Des's handkerchief? Why does she give it to Iago? Do you think she has any idea that he intends to do something underhanded with it? Ans✔✔- Des goes to bind Oth's aching head, but he tells her to leave him be & she drops it, forgetting to pick ‣ It's the first keepsake Oth ever gave Des & she loves it so much b/c of that. ◦Iago has asked Em many times to steal it from Des. ◦It doesn't seem like Em has any idea what Iago plans to do with the handkerchief, but she wants only to please him & therefore gives him the token.
- Oth comes into the room yelling at Iago that he better stop talking smack about Des without proof. ◦Oth would rather have never heard that Des was cheating on him, even if it was true.
dad would love/desire his mom; if she lost it/gave it away, his dad would hate her & start looking at other women. ‣ Oth says that his mom gave it to him on her deathbed & told him to give it to his wife & he did. ◦He's telling Des this to see her sweat about having supposedly given it away to Cass; probably to try & torture her like the thoughts of her infidelity are touting him. ‣ He's trying to teach her a lesson.
- Oth demands that Des show him the handkerchief, but she says she doesn't want to until he addresses the matter of Cass's job; Oth leaves in a fit.
- Moments before, Des had told Em that Oth never got jealous, but now Em asks if that sounded like he wasn't a jealous man. ◦Des says she's never seen Oth act like this & it must be an effect of having lost the token. ◦Des later remarks that maybe something bad in Cyprus is having an bad impact on his mood.
- SideNote: Bianca is a prostitute. Why's Bianca angry with Cass? How's her anger like Oth's? What sort of relationship do you think Cass & Bianca have? Ans✔✔- ◦ Cass has been away for over a week & Bianca was expecting word from him; she was on her way to Cass's house & he to hers. ◦Cass asked if Bianca could copy the pattern on Des's handkerchief & Bianca thinks that its a gift to him from another lover; she's jealous. ◦Bianca's anger is like Oth's b/c the handkerchief in Cass's possession implies that he's in a relationship with Des (another lover), & neither Bianca nor Oth can stand the idea of him being with
longer chaste; Oth knows, which makes him Des. ◦Cass & Bianca seem to have an intimate relationship, since Bianca referred to the mystery woman as "another lover." ‣ Bianca is in love with Cass Why does Cass give the handkerchief to Bianca? So far, who seems to find this handkerchief special? Who thinks it's supernatural? Ans✔✔- ◦ Cass thinks the handkerchief is pretty & wants Bianca to copy the embroidery before he has to return it to whomever it belongs to. ◦Cass seems to think that the handkerchief is something special. ◦Des & Oth seem to believe that the handkerchief is supernatural. What's Emilia's opinion of men? How does Des's opinion differ? Ans✔✔- Em thinks that men are always just out to use women until they're no longer useful or desirable. ◦Des seems to think highly of men in general; she thinks that they're for the most part honorable (esp. Oth). Why does Oth fall unconscious? Ans✔✔- ◦ Oth has epilepsy; he had a seizure. ◦Iago told Oth that Cass slept with Des & if Oth asked Cass, he'd deny it. According to Iago, why's Oth luckier than many other men who've been cuckolded? Do you agree? Would you rather not know if someone is betraying you? Ans✔✔- ◦ There are many other married men with wives cheating in them, but they don't even know she's no ◦I agree that it's better to know than not; you can make your own decisions on how to handle the situation, rather than later having the person you love divorce you b/c they no longer love you.
Why does Oth summon Em if he's not going to accept her testimony? Do you think she suspects that Iago has anything to do with Oth's doubts? Ans✔✔- Oth is questioning Em about whether she's ever seen Des with Cass. ‣ Em vehemently defends her, saying how pure she is. ◦Em still has no idea that its Iago planting doubts in Oth's head. How does Des react when Oth calls her a *****? How does she explain his behavior to herself? Are you surprised she doesn't react differently? Ans✔✔- Des cries out that Oth is wrongly accusing her of being a *****. ‣ Oth clearly doesn't believe her. ◦Des says that Oth was treating her like a child; one that needed discipline. ‣ She thinks that work is stressing him out still. ◦I'm surprised that she isn't more upset that Oth just accused her of adultery. ‣ She seemed only slightly indignant, though mostly just surprised. How can you tell Des trusts Iago? Is she being naïve? Ans✔✔- Des sent Em to bring Iago to her after having a big argument with her own husband. ‣ Des asks Iago for advice on what to do about Oth; then she asks him to speak to Oth on her behalf. ◦She is incredibly naïve to put her marriage in the hands of another, whether she thinks they're a friend or not. ‣ Cass asked Des to speak on his behalf to Oth, & look how well that turned out.
- Em is ranting to Iago & Des that the only reason for Oth's behavior is b/c someone else is manipulating him, all to get some position or high standing. ◦Irony, since her own husband is doing just that.
◦Iago replies that no one's that bad.
- Rod is angry with Iago for seeming to hinder his progress with Des; he thinks Iago is trying to keep him & Des apart How does Iago plan Cass's murder? How does he convince Rod that Cass must die? Why do you think he involves Rod instead of handling it himself? Ans✔✔- ◦ Iago plans to have Rod nab Cass between 12-1 in the morning as he goes to have dinner with Bianca. ◦Iago tells Rod that he needs to kill Cass so that Oth & Des will remain in Cyprus for a while longer. ◦He involves Rod so that Rod will take the fall for Cass's death instead of himself; he wants to distance himself from the responsibility of Cass's death as much as possible. Put Oth's soliloquy ("Had it pleased Heaven...") in your own words. Ans✔✔- ◦ If God had simply made Oth poor & a slave, he could've handled that; he even could've handled being laughed at & scorned his whole life. ◦What he couldn't handle is having his own wife reject him & cheat on him with another man. ‣ Des has ruined all future descendants b/c of what she's done.
- Who do you think Des obeys Oth so meekly when he sends her to bed? Do you think she suspects Oth intends to hurt her? Ans✔✔- Des likely doesn't want to question Oth's requests in an effort to not anger him more than he's already been with her. ‣ She also has been taught to obey the men who are her Lord, & it's not in her to deny a direct order. ◦Des has no reason to believe that Oth would actually hurt her (physically).
