15 Questions
What is the setting of Act II, scene i in Othello?
The shores of Cyprus.
Who confirms that the Turkish fleet lost most of their ships in the storm?
Cassio.
Who arrives on the ship with Iago?
Emilia, Desdemona, and Roderigo.
Who does Cassio inform that Othello has not yet arrived?
Desdemona.
Who criticizes women during the wait for the third ship?
Iago.
Who is Othello's malevolent ensign?
Iago
Where does the story of Othello primarily take place?
Cyprus
Who is Othello's wife in the play?
Desdemona
What is the primary theme of Othello?
Passion
Who is Othello's friend that complains to Iago about the recent secret marriage?
Roderigo
What is the primary function of a passive voice construction?
To express the theme or patient of the main verb
In a passive sentence, what role does the subject play?
Denotes the patient rather than the agent of the action
What is the valence-decreasing process associated with turning an active sense of a verb into a passive sense?
Detransitivizing process
What is typically expressed by the subject in passive clauses?
What is usually expressed by the object of the verb
What is the main contrast between passive voice and active voice?
The subject expresses the theme or patient in passive voice, while it has the agent role in active voice
Study Notes
Act II, Scene i
- The scene takes place on the shores of Cyprus, where Montano, the governor, and two gentlemen observe a storm.
- Montano predicts that the Turkish fleet of ships could not survive the storm, which is confirmed by a third gentleman who witnessed the Turks losing most of their fleet during the tempest.
- The fate of Othello's ship remains uncertain, but hope rises when a sail is spotted offshore.
- However, the new ship turns out to be carrying Iago, Emilia, Desdemona, and Roderigo, rather than Othello.
- Desdemona disembarks and is informed by Cassio that Othello has yet to arrive.
- A friendly shot announces the arrival of a third ship, leaving the company waiting for its arrival.
Iago's Character
- Iago takes advantage of the situation to criticize women, particularly Emilia, who is teased by Cassio and Desdemona for being a chatterbox.
- This showcases Iago's misogynistic nature and foreshadows his further manipulation of characters.
Test your knowledge of Othello Act II: Scenes i & ii with this summary and analysis quiz. Explore the events on the shores of Cyprus, the predictions about the Turkish fleet, and the arrival of Cassio.
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