Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why does Iago say he hates Othello?
Why does Iago say he hates Othello?
Othello gave the position he wanted to Cassio, and it's rumored that Othello slept with Iago's wife.
What are Iago's criticisms of Cassio?
What are Iago's criticisms of Cassio?
He thinks he's book smart and not suited for his position due to lack of experience in war.
What two kinds of followers are there, according to Iago?
What two kinds of followers are there, according to Iago?
Actual loyal and those who pretend to be loyal.
How do Iago and Roderigo attempt to create trouble for Othello?
How do Iago and Roderigo attempt to create trouble for Othello?
What is Brabantio's reaction to what Iago and Roderigo tell him?
What is Brabantio's reaction to what Iago and Roderigo tell him?
What words are used to describe Othello during this scene?
What words are used to describe Othello during this scene?
Why does Iago leave before Brabantio leaves his house?
Why does Iago leave before Brabantio leaves his house?
Why does Iago say he wished to kill Roderigo? What reason does he give Othello for not killing him?
Why does Iago say he wished to kill Roderigo? What reason does he give Othello for not killing him?
What is Othello's response to Iago?
What is Othello's response to Iago?
What message does Cassio bring Othello?
What message does Cassio bring Othello?
Of what does Brabantio accuse Othello?
Of what does Brabantio accuse Othello?
What causes Brabantio to change his original plan of arresting Othello and bringing him to jail?
What causes Brabantio to change his original plan of arresting Othello and bringing him to jail?
What is Brabantio's new plan?
What is Brabantio's new plan?
About what are the Venetian Duke and his Senators concerned?
About what are the Venetian Duke and his Senators concerned?
How does the Senate respond to Brabantio's accusations?
How does the Senate respond to Brabantio's accusations?
How does Othello respond to the accusations? What does this reveal about him?
How does Othello respond to the accusations? What does this reveal about him?
What is Othello's suggestion for proving whether or not he tricked Desdemona into loving him?
What is Othello's suggestion for proving whether or not he tricked Desdemona into loving him?
How did Othello win Desdemona's love?
How did Othello win Desdemona's love?
After Brabantio's charges are proven false, what is Desdemona's request to the Duke?
After Brabantio's charges are proven false, what is Desdemona's request to the Duke?
What might Brabantio mean when he tells Othello to 'look to her Moor, if thou hast eyes to see/ she has deceived her father, and may thee?'
What might Brabantio mean when he tells Othello to 'look to her Moor, if thou hast eyes to see/ she has deceived her father, and may thee?'
What is Iago's response to Roderigo's claim that he will drown himself?
What is Iago's response to Roderigo's claim that he will drown himself?
What is Iago's advice to Roderigo regarding how to eventually win Desdemona's love?
What is Iago's advice to Roderigo regarding how to eventually win Desdemona's love?
In Iago's soliloquy, what does he reveal about his feelings for Roderigo, his true reasons for hating Othello, and his plan to bring down Othello?
In Iago's soliloquy, what does he reveal about his feelings for Roderigo, his true reasons for hating Othello, and his plan to bring down Othello?
What news does the audience learn about the Turkish fleet of ships?
What news does the audience learn about the Turkish fleet of ships?
What is Cassio's hope for Othello?
What is Cassio's hope for Othello?
What does Iago observe Cassio do that Iago believes will serve his plan?
What does Iago observe Cassio do that Iago believes will serve his plan?
According to Iago, why will Desdemona eventually lose her affection for Othello?
According to Iago, why will Desdemona eventually lose her affection for Othello?
In Iago's soliloquy, what does he reveal about his plan to discredit Cassio?
In Iago's soliloquy, what does he reveal about his plan to discredit Cassio?
What announcement is made by the Herald?
What announcement is made by the Herald?
What is Othello's opinion of Iago? In what way is this an example of dramatic irony?
What is Othello's opinion of Iago? In what way is this an example of dramatic irony?
Why is Cassio reluctant to have a drink?
Why is Cassio reluctant to have a drink?
Iago instructs Roderigo to provoke Cassio. What happens?
Iago instructs Roderigo to provoke Cassio. What happens?
When Othello does not get a straight answer as to who started the fight, what temperament of Othello do we see?
When Othello does not get a straight answer as to who started the fight, what temperament of Othello do we see?
What is Cassio's punishment for getting into the fight?
What is Cassio's punishment for getting into the fight?
What advice does Iago give Cassio?
What advice does Iago give Cassio?
In Iago's soliloquy he says of Desdemona, 'So will I turn her virtue into pitch and out of her own goodness make the net that shall enmesh them all.' What does he mean?
In Iago's soliloquy he says of Desdemona, 'So will I turn her virtue into pitch and out of her own goodness make the net that shall enmesh them all.' What does he mean?
What are the next two moves that Iago plans?
What are the next two moves that Iago plans?
Why does Cassio need to speak to Emilia, Desdemona's lady-in-waiting?
Why does Cassio need to speak to Emilia, Desdemona's lady-in-waiting?
What does Emilia tell Cassio?
What does Emilia tell Cassio?
What does Othello give to Iago?
What does Othello give to Iago?
What worries Cassio now, despite the fact that he knows he will eventually get his job back?
What worries Cassio now, despite the fact that he knows he will eventually get his job back?
According to Desdemona, why will she speak to Othello on Cassio's behalf?
According to Desdemona, why will she speak to Othello on Cassio's behalf?
As Iago enters, what does he observe that causes him to say, 'Ha, I like not that!'?
As Iago enters, what does he observe that causes him to say, 'Ha, I like not that!'?
What is the result of Desdemona's plea to reinstate Cassio?
What is the result of Desdemona's plea to reinstate Cassio?
What is Othello's response to Iago's suggestion that he should be jealous of Desdemona?
What is Othello's response to Iago's suggestion that he should be jealous of Desdemona?
What does Iago remind Othello of regarding Desdemona?
What does Iago remind Othello of regarding Desdemona?
What does Desdemona drop on the floor? What does Iago plan to do with this object?
What does Desdemona drop on the floor? What does Iago plan to do with this object?
What story does Iago tell Othello to make it appear that Cassio and Desdemona are lovers?
What story does Iago tell Othello to make it appear that Cassio and Desdemona are lovers?
What is Iago's last piece of evidence against Desdemona?
What is Iago's last piece of evidence against Desdemona?
After making Iago his lieutenant, what order does Othello give him?
After making Iago his lieutenant, what order does Othello give him?
Why is Desdemona hesitant to admit to Othello that she has lost the handkerchief that he gave her?
Why is Desdemona hesitant to admit to Othello that she has lost the handkerchief that he gave her?
What does Othello demand of Desdemona?
What does Othello demand of Desdemona?
When Cassio asks Desdemona about his situation, what does she tell him?
When Cassio asks Desdemona about his situation, what does she tell him?
Why is Bianca angry with Cassio? Provide two reasons.
Why is Bianca angry with Cassio? Provide two reasons.
How does Othello react to Iago's news that Cassio has admitted to him his affair with Desdemona?
How does Othello react to Iago's news that Cassio has admitted to him his affair with Desdemona?
Who does Cassio speak of to Iago? Who does Iago want Othello to think Cassio is talking about?
Who does Cassio speak of to Iago? Who does Iago want Othello to think Cassio is talking about?
What is significant about the fact that Cassio gives the handkerchief to Bianca? (In regard to Iago's plan)
What is significant about the fact that Cassio gives the handkerchief to Bianca? (In regard to Iago's plan)
What news does Lodovico bring from Venice?
What news does Lodovico bring from Venice?
How does Desdemona react to the news?
How does Desdemona react to the news?
What does Othello do to Desdemona? How does she respond?
What does Othello do to Desdemona? How does she respond?
What does Lodovico ask Iago about Othello? What is Iago's response?
What does Lodovico ask Iago about Othello? What is Iago's response?
What does Othello call Desdemona? What is her response to this insult?
What does Othello call Desdemona? What is her response to this insult?
How does Desdemona try to convince Othello of her fidelity?
How does Desdemona try to convince Othello of her fidelity?
What is Emilia's theory on why Othello has turned on Desdemona?
What is Emilia's theory on why Othello has turned on Desdemona?
What is Iago's response to Emilia's theory?
What is Iago's response to Emilia's theory?
Why is Roderigo upset with Iago? How does Iago appease him?
Why is Roderigo upset with Iago? How does Iago appease him?
What does Iago want Roderigo to do for him?
What does Iago want Roderigo to do for him?
What request does Desdemona make to Emilia if she is to die before her?
What request does Desdemona make to Emilia if she is to die before her?
What does Desdemona ask Emilia regarding women/wives? What is her response?
What does Desdemona ask Emilia regarding women/wives? What is her response?
What is Iago's plan for Cassio?
What is Iago's plan for Cassio?
For what two reasons does Iago want Cassio dead?
For what two reasons does Iago want Cassio dead?
Iago believes he could also benefit if Cassio kills Roderigo. Why?
Iago believes he could also benefit if Cassio kills Roderigo. Why?
What saves Cassio?
What saves Cassio?
What does Iago do to Roderigo? Why does Roderigo scream, 'O Damned Iago! O inhuman dog!'?
What does Iago do to Roderigo? Why does Roderigo scream, 'O Damned Iago! O inhuman dog!'?
What is the meaning of Iago's aside to the audience at the end of the scene, 'This is the night / That either makes me or for-does me quite'?
What is the meaning of Iago's aside to the audience at the end of the scene, 'This is the night / That either makes me or for-does me quite'?
According to his soliloquy at the beginning of the scene, what has Othello decided? How do we know?
According to his soliloquy at the beginning of the scene, what has Othello decided? How do we know?
At what news does Desdemona begin to weep? Why does this upset Othello?
At what news does Desdemona begin to weep? Why does this upset Othello?
According to Desdemona, who has killed her?
According to Desdemona, who has killed her?
Why does Emilia repeat the phrase 'My Husband' three times?
Why does Emilia repeat the phrase 'My Husband' three times?
Why does Othello draw his sword on Emilia?
Why does Othello draw his sword on Emilia?
Why does Iago want Emilia to leave? Why does she refuse?
Why does Iago want Emilia to leave? Why does she refuse?
What is revealed when Othello assures Gratiano that he won't flee?
What is revealed when Othello assures Gratiano that he won't flee?
What is Othello's response to Cassio's shock that he and Iago planned his murder?
What is Othello's response to Cassio's shock that he and Iago planned his murder?
What is Othello's request of Lodovico?
What is Othello's request of Lodovico?
What does the future hold for Cassio? For Iago?
What does the future hold for Cassio? For Iago?
What are the dangers of isolation?
What are the dangers of isolation?
What is the danger of jealousy?
What is the danger of jealousy?
What are the animal motifs in the play?
What are the animal motifs in the play?
What are the monster/demon motifs?
What are the monster/demon motifs?
What role do clowns play in the play?
What role do clowns play in the play?
Study Notes
Iago's Motive and Manipulation
- Iago hates Othello due to losing a promotion to Cassio and rumors of Othello's infidelity with his wife.
- Iago criticizes Cassio as lacking practical experience, believing he is merely book-smart.
- Iago distinguishes between genuinely loyal followers and those who are merely pretending to be loyal.
Brabantio's Outrage
- Iago and Roderigo incite chaos by revealing Othello's secret marriage to Brabantio, leading to Brabantio's angry reaction.
- Brabantio accuses Othello of witchcraft to explain his daughter's marriage.
Othello's Character
- Othello is depicted with derogatory terms suggesting he is animalistic and othered: "old black ram," "Barbary horse."
- He remains composed under scrutiny, revealing his calmness and rationality in the face of accusations.
Desdemona's Loyalty
- Desdemona's love for Othello is established through her admiration of his war stories, which ultimately enamor her.
- After Brabantio's charges are dismissed, Desdemona requests to accompany Othello to Cyprus, signaling her unwavering support.
Iago's Schemes
- Iago crafts plans to provoke jealousy in Othello, aiming to make Othello believe Desdemona is unfaithful with Cassio.
- Iago uses Desdemona’s goodness against her, intending to ensnare Othello’s trust in her.
Themes of Jealousy and Betrayal
- Othello’s jealousy transforms him into a more brutish version of himself, illustrating the destructive power of suspicion.
- Emilia hints at manipulation behind Othello's turn against Desdemona but remains unaware of Iago's true nature.
Clashing Characters and Irony
- Dramatic irony is evident as Othello perceives Iago as honest, while he is in fact orchestrating his downfall.
- Cassio's struggle with alcohol leads to his disgrace, emphasizing the theme of personal flaws leading to tragedy.
The Climax of Deceit
- Iago's manipulation leads to a series of unfortunate events, culminating in Othello’s tragic decision to kill Desdemona.
- Othello arrives at the wrong conclusions based on Iago's carefully crafted deceit, leading to irreversible tragedy.
Conclusions and Justice
- Desdemona’s death marks the ultimate tragedy, with Emilia revealing Iago's treachery as the catalyst for Othello's final act.
- The aftermath sees Cassio rewarded, while Iago's fate becomes uncertain, highlighting the chaotic resolution of their intertwined fates.
Symbolism and Motifs
- Animal motifs illustrate the dehumanization present in the characters’ perceptions of each other.
- References to monsters and demons emphasize themes of jealousy and the primal instincts driving the characters’ actions.
Moments of Relief
- Comedic elements are introduced through the clown character, offering dramatic relief amid the unfolding tragedy.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
This quiz contains flashcards focusing on key themes and characters in Shakespeare's Othello. Each card prompts critical thinking about Iago's motivations and perceptions of other characters. Perfect for studying character dynamics and understanding the play's underlying conflicts.
