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Othello
Name ______________________________Period ____
Act I, scene i
1. Often in plays, the setting is not just “where the story happens,” but includes the geographical, historical, social,
economic, or philosophical setting. Explain the type of setting that Shakespeare establishes at the beginning of the play.
What does the setting convey to the audience?
2. How does Iago believe that people are promoted within the ranks? What effect does his commentary have on the
audience?
3. What does the audience learn about the relationship between Roderigo and Iago? How does Iago manipulate
Roderigo?
4. Shakespeare begins the play with two secret acts. Explain each deception and the effect that these deceptions have on
the tone of the play.
5. Make a list of the images that Shakespeare uses to describe Othello. What do the images suggest about Othello?
6. Using examples from the play, illustrate how Brabantio’s attitude toward Roderigo changes throughout the first act. Why
do you think that Brabantio’s attitude changes?
Act I, scene ii
1. Explain the irony in Iago’s discussion with Othello after Iago has just left Roderigo at Brabantio’s house.
2. Explain the confusion when Iago and Othello see men approaching Othello’s home. What do we learn about the men’s
characters in this conflict?
3. Why is Iago unwilling to be present when he is talking about Othello’s marriage to Desdemona? Cite two instances
where Iago avoids being involved.
4. How does Othello contradict the image that Iago has portrayed of him to the audience?
Act I, scene iii
1. Explain the parallels and symbolism between the distraction of the Turks approaching Venice and Iago’s deceptions.
2. Explain the difference in tone between these two references to Othello:
RODERIGO: To the gross clasps of a lascivious Moor—(I.i.137)
FIRST SENATOR: Here comes Brabantio and the valiant Moor. (I.iii.53)
Act II, scene i
1. Explain the purpose of the descriptions at the beginning of the act.
2. Describe the nature of the weather as the scene opens. What might the weather indicate about the “nature of things”?
3. What do we learn about Othello’s character from the trouble at sea?
4. Using your understanding of the imagery in the following passage, characterize the relationship between Cassio and
Othello.
CASSIO: His bark is stoutly timber’d, and his pilot
Of very expert and approved allowance;
Therefore my hopes, not surfeited to death,
Stand in bold cure. (lines 53-56)
5. Early in scene i, as Iago and Desdemona’s ship approaches, Cassio describes Desdemona to the Gentlemen with
whom he is speaking:
CASSIO: Most fortunately: he hath achieved a maid
That paragons1 description and wild fame;
One that excels the quirks2 of blazoning pens,
And in the essential vesture3 of creation
Does tire the ingener.4
1outdoes
2figures of speech
3clothing (i.e., her natural traits)
4one who might describe her
and later refers to Desdemona as “the riches of the ship” (line 91).
Reread Iago’s description of women as he characterizes them in line 115 through line 177. Contrast the two descriptions
of women. Why does Shakespeare include both of the descriptions? What do the commentaries tell us about the person
making the assertions?
6. After the interchange between Desdemona and Iago, how would you characterize Desdemona?
7. What is the purpose of the following aside?
IAGO: (Aside.) He takes her by the palm; ay, well said, whisper.
With as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fl y
as Cassio. Ay, smile upon her, do; I will gyve5 thee in
thine own courtship. You say true; ‘tis so, indeed. If such
tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had
been better you had not kissed your three fingers so often
which now again you are most apt to play the sir6 in.
Very good. Well kissed! an excellent courtesy! ‘tis so,
indeed. Yet again your fingers to your lips? Would they
were clysterpipes7 for your sake! [Trumpet within.] The
Moor! I know his trumpet.
(II, i, 180-185)
5shackle
6gentleman
7enema pipes
8. Read the following section and explain how it functions as an example of foreshadowing:
OTHELLO: …If it were now to die,
Twere now to be most happy; for I fear
My soul hath her content so absolute
That not another comfort like to this
Succeeds in unknown fate.
(II, I, 202-206)
9. What does Othello mean when he states, “News friends: our wars are done, the Turks are drown’d.” (II, i, 219)
10. Why do Iago and Roderigo stay behind after all the others have left to travel to Cyprus? What is further revealed about
Iago’s plan? How does Roderigo respond to Iago’s claims?
11. What does Iago instruct Roderigo to do?
12. Read the soliloquy that ends the scene. What does the reader learn about Iago’s plan? What are the possible
motivations for Iago’s revenge? What do you believe is the reason for Iago’s anger at Cassio and Othello?
Act II, scene ii
1. Explain the occasion on which the Herald is giving his proclamation. Summarize the Herald’s proclamation.
Act II, scene iii
1. On what occasion are Iago and Cassio going to spend time together? Explain the dramatic irony in the situation and in
Othello’s statement, “Iago is most honest.” (II, iii, 7)
2. Read the fi rst 42 lines of Act II, scene iii again. Using examples from the text, explain the differences between how
Othello speaks about and to Desdemona and how Cassio and Iago discuss the current “situation” between Othello and
Desdemona. What might these speeches tell the audience about the characters of the men?
3. Analyze the conversation between Iago and Cassio in lines 13 through lines 41 in Act II, scene iii. What do you believe
Iago is trying to accomplish?
4. When Iago learns that his plan to influence Cassio’s feelings about Desdemona has failed, what does he try to do?
Analyze Iago’s speech and explain Iago’s purpose in his actions.
IAGO: If I can fasten but one cup upon him,
With that which he hath drunk tonight already,
He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense
As my young mistress’ dog. Now my sick fool Roderigo,
Whom love hath turn’d almost the wrong side out,
To Desdemona hath tonight caroused
Potations pottledeep;8 and he’s to watch:
Three lads of Cyprus, noble swelling spirits,
That hold their honors in a wary distance,9
The very elements of this warlike isle,
Have I tonight fl uster’d with fl owing cups,
And they watch too. Now, ‘mongst this flock of
drunkards,
Am I to put our Cassio in some action10
That may offend the isle. But here they come:
If consequence11 do but approve12 my dream,13
My boat sails freely, both with wind and stream.
(II, iii, 42-58)
8potfuls of alcohol
9consider honor a very sensitive subject
10situation
11what happens after this
12prove true
13vision of things
5. Explain the significance of the following line by first explaining the speaker, the audience, and the situation in which the
line is contextualized.
“He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar and give direction.”
6. Summarize what happens after Cassio and Iago drink with the men.
7. Trace the use of the word “honest” through Act II. Explain the irony in how it is used in lines 132 and 133.
8. Explain Othello’s insinuation when he states, “Are we turn’s Turks, and to ourselves do that which heaven hath forbid
the Ottomites?” (II, iii, 162-164)
9. Why do you think the men will not answer Othello’s questions about what happened between the men?
10. When Iago is explaining to Othello what happened to cause the fight, why do you think he leaves Roderigo’s name out
of the narration?
11. What action does Othello take against Cassio upon hearing that Cassio is responsible for the fight?
12. Describe the relationship between Desdemona and Othello as it appears at this point in the play.
13. Explain the difference between the way Cassio and Iago view reputations. Is the view of reputation that Iago explains
to Cassio an accurate depiction of how he really feels? How do we know?
14. How does Cassio misunderstand the “devil” in the situation?
15. Explain the imagery in Iago’s soliloquy. What do we learn about Iago’s character through this speech? What do we
learn about his plan?
IAGO: And what’s he then that says I play the villain?
When this advice is free I give and honest,
Probal14 to thinking, and indeed the course
To win the Moor again? For ‘tis most easy
The inclining Desdemona to subdue
In any honest suit. She’s framed15 as fruitful16
As the free elements. And then for her
To win the Moor, were’t to renounce his baptism,
All seals and symbols of redeemed sin,
His soul is so enfetter’d17 to her love,
That she may make, unmake, do what she list,
Even as her appetite shall play the god
With his weak function. How am I then a villain
To counsel Cassio to this parallel course,
Directly to his good? Divinity of hell!
When devils will the blackest sins put on,
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
As I do now. For whiles this honest fool
Plies Desdemona to repair his fortune,
And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor,
I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear,
That she repeals him for her body’s lust;
And by how much she strives to do him good,
She shall undo her credit with the Moor.
So will I turn her virtue into pitch,18
And out of her own goodness make the net
That shall enmesh them all.
(II, iii, 321-347)
14likely
15made
16generous
17enslaved [literally. “in chains”]
18a sticky trap
16. At this point in the play, we must investigate the motivation behind Iago’s scheme in order to understand Iago’s
strategies and how his plan to destroy Othello is put into place. You may need to refer to previous scenes in the play.
A. What do you believe is Iago’s motivation in his destruction of Othello?
B. How does Iago immediately ensnare Roderigo as an accomplice in his plan?
C. Examine the conversations between Iago and Othello throughout the play thus far.
What technique does Iago use in speaking to Othello that helps to advance his plan?
D. Reread Iago’s last three speeches at the end of Act One. What does it appear is his
motivation for his hatred of Othello? Find an example from the text to support your
answer.
E. Explain the Cassio phase of Iago’s plan to dishonor, discredit, and destroy Othello.
17. Examine Iago’s language at the end of Act Two. How does the language change? What might have been a reason for
Shakespeare to employ this change at the end of the act?
Act III, scene i
1. Explain the action and purpose at the beginning of the scene.
2. How is the concept of honesty contrasted in the conversation between Iago and Cassio?
3. What request does Cassio make of Emilia?
Act III, scene ii
1.Summarize the events in this scene.
Act III, scene iii
1. What is significant about the action at the beginning of the scene? What do we learn about the conversation between
Desdemona and Cassio?
2.Explain the foreshadowing in the following lines:
CASSIO: Ay, but, lady,
That policy may either last so long,
Or feed upon such nice and waterish diet,
Or breed itself so out of circumstance,
That, I being absent and my place supplied,
My general will forget my love and service.
(III, iii, 15-20)
3. How does Iago take advantage of Cassio’s departure as soon as Othello enters the garden?
4. Explain the irony in Desdemona’s statement “I have no judgement in an honest face….” (III, iii, 54)
5. Explain Desdemona’s tone in her conversation with Othello concerning Cassio
6. After Desdemona compels Othello to speak to Cassio, she leaves. Othello states the following:
OTHELLO: Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul,
But I do love thee! and when I love thee not,
Chaos is come again.
(III, iii, 100-103)
Why do you think Iago is able to sow the seed of jealousy in Othello’s heart, if Othello loves Desdemona as much as he
claims he does? How does Iago influence Othello’s thoughts?
7. Explain the meaning in Othello’s speech:
OTHELLO: Why, why is this?
Think’st thou I’ld make a lie of jealousy,
To follow still the changes of the moon
With fresh suspicions?19 No! To be once in doubt
Is once to be resolved. Exchange me for a goat,
When I shall turn the business of my soul
To such exsuffl icate20 and blown surmises,
Matching thy inference. ‘Tis not to make me jealous
To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
Is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well;
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous.
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt;
For she had eyes, and chose me.
No, Iago, I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;
And on the proof, there is no more but this,
Away at once with love or jealousy!
(III, iii, 199-215)
19i.e., change suspicions as often as the moon changes
20inflated
8. What does the image of the “green-eyed monster” signify, and how is it represented as a theme throughout the play?
Read the following lines and explain the irony.
IAGO: O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyes monster, which doth mock
The meat it feeds on.
(III, iii, 165-167)
9. Read the following speech. How does Iago use Othello’s personality as a part of his plan to ruin the Moor? What advice
does he give Othello?
IAGO: I am glad of it; for now I shall have reason
To show the love and duty that I bear you
With franker spirit: therefore, as I am bound,
Receive it from me. I speak not yet of proof.
Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;
Wear your eye thus, not jealous nor secure:
I would not have your free and noble nature,
Out of selfbounty, be abused; look to’t.
I know our country disposition well;
In Venice they do let heaven see the pranks
They dare not show their husbands; their best conscience
Is not to leave’t undone, but keep’t unknown.
(III, iii, 216-227)
10. What does Iago reveal about his character in his interaction with Othello?
11. Read the following lines from Act Three. How does Othello compare himself with Desdemona? What do we learn
about Othello’s view of himself and Iago?
OTHELLO: This fellow’s of exceeding honesty,
And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,
Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,21
Though that her jesses22 were my dear heartstrings,
I’ld whistle her off23 and let her down the wind
To prey at fortune.24 Haply, for I am black
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers25 have, or for I am declined
Into the vale of years—yet that’s not much—
She’s gone. I am abused, and my relief
Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage,
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad,
And live upon the vapor of a dungeon,
Than keep a corner in the thing I love
For others’ uses. Yet, ‘tis the plague of great ones;
Prerogatived26 are they less than the base;
‘Tis destiny unshunnable, like death:
Even then this forked plague27 is fated to us
When we do quicken. Desdemona comes….
(III, iii, 289-308)
21a wild hawk; Othello compares Desdemona to a falcon in the next lines
22leashes
23let her go
24as she wished
25gentlemen
26privileged
27the curse of having a cuckold’s horns [men who were the victims of adultery were commonly
pictured with horns]
12. Desdemona’s handkerchief becomes an important piece of stage business. Why did Desdemona produce it? What
happens to it? What does Emilia plan to do with it? Finally, who gets it, and what is to be done with it?
13. How would you characterize the relationship between Iago and Emilia?
14. Iago’s first step in his plan to dishonor Othello is to ruin the Moor’s opinion of Cassio. That being accomplished, Iago
then attempts to make Othello jealous. Again, with only so much as a word, Iago is able to accomplish the task. After he
retrieves the handkerchief from Emilia, how does he prompt Othello to discuss the proof again?
15. Why do you think Othello is willing to believe Iago without confronting his wife with the accusation? What do you
believe Shakespeare is saying about the relationships between men and women during this time?
16. Analyze Iago’s view of love as is illustrated in his following statement:
It is impossible you should see this
Were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys,
As salt as wolves in pride, and fools as gross
As ignorance made drunk.
(III, iii, 448-451)
17. As Iago continues to fuel Othello’s mistrust, Othello begins to respond to Iago’s insinuations in short bursts of speech.
Analyze Act III, scene iii, lines 373-530 and draw a conclusion about Othello’s state of mind. Answers the following
questions:
A. Which of the lines illustrate Othello’s emotional confusion between rationally analyzing the situation between
Desdemona and Cassio and doubting Desdemona’s love and fidelity?
B. Which of the lines illustrate Iago’s ability to turn Othello into the “green-eyed monster”?
C. Which of the lines illustrate Othello’s weaknesses that allow him to fall into Iago’s trap?
18. At the end of Act III, scene iii, Othello makes a request. What does he ask of Iago? What becomes of Iago?
Act III, scene iv
1. Explain how the scene’s beginning is in direct contrast to the end of the previous scene.
2. What do you believe is the symbolism associated with the handkerchief?
3. Othello and Desdemona see each other for the first time since Iago has poisoned Othello’s mind. How does Othello
seem to be treating Desdemona? What language gives away the complexity behind Othello’s emotions?
4.Explain the significance of the following speech.
OTHELLO: This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart:
Hot, hot, and moist. This hand of yours requires
A sequester28 from liberty, fasting and prayer,
Much castigation,29 exercise devout,
For here’s a young and sweating devil here
That commonly rebels. ‘Tis a good hand,
A frank one.
(III, iv, 39-45)
28withdrawal
29purifi cation
5. After Othello describes the importance of the handkerchief (lines 60-73), he tries to elicit a response from Desdemona
about where she may find the handkerchief. Evaluate the language between Desdemona and Othello. What do you notice
about Othello’s demeanor as it is illustrated through his language?
6.How does Desdemona interpret Othello’s questions in lines 75-107?
7. What do you believe is the central conflict at this point in the play? What do you believe will be Iago’s further role in the
conflict?
8. Explain the symbolism in the following lines:
EMILIA: But jealous souls will not be answer’d so;
They are not ever jealous for the cause,
But jealous for they are jealous. ‘Tis a monster
Begot upon itself, born on itself.
(III, iv, 169-172)
Explain the connection and the irony between Iago’s earlier reference to the green-eyed monster and Emilia’s reference to
the monster above.
9. A foil is a character who contrasts or parallels a main character in a play or story. Some people characterize Emilia and
Bianca as foil for Desdemona. How would you explain Emilia as a foil for Desdemona?
10. In the fi nal scene Act III, Bianca is angry at Cassio. How do Bianca and Othello parallel each other in their
relationships with their significant others?
11. In this scene, Othello recounts the way in which he came to have the handkerchief that Desdemona has lost. What
does Othello’s speech highlight about his character? How does this play into Iago’s manipulation of the scenario between
Othello, Cassio, and Desdemona? Cite an example from the play that illustrates Iago’s use of Othello’s
perceived weakness.
Act IV, scene i
1. How does the scene begin? Explain the significance of the following conversation between Iago and Othello. Explain
the symbolism of the handkerchief.
IAGO: So they do nothing, ‘tis a venial30 slip:
But if I give my wife a handkerchief
OTHELLO: What then?
IAGO: Why, then, ‘tis hers, my lord, and being hers,
She may, I think, bestow’t on any man.
OTHELLO: She is protectress of her honour too:
May she give that?
IAGO: Her honour is an essence that’s not seen;
They have it very oft that have it not:
But, for the handkerchief-OTHELLO: By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it:
Thou said’st—it comes o’er my memory,
As doth the raven31 o’er the infected house,
Boding to all--he had my handkerchief.
30fleshly
31the raven is thought to bring disease
2. What physical reactions does Othello have to the news about Desdemona and Cassio? How might the audience
interpret this response?
3. How does Othello misinterpret the dialogue between Cassio and Iago? How might an observant person realize that
Cassio is speaking of Bianca rather than Desdemona?
4. With what does Othello charge Iago? How does Iago further influence Othello as they discuss Cassio’s and
Desdemona’s murders?
5. How has Desdemona and Othello’s relationship changed since the beginning of the play?
6. Who is Lodovico? Explain what his presence in the play highlight about Othello’s character.
7. Explain the events as they transpire when Lodovico arrives. What do the events illustrate about Othello’s
transformation? Cite a textual example that supports this recognized change in Othello’s behavior. How does this
contribute to Othello’s ultimate demise?
8. Explain the irony in the following speech. How does Shakespeare continue to highlight the theme of appearance versus
reality?
IAGO: Alas, alas!
It is not honesty in me to speak
What I have seen and known. You shall observe him,
And his own courses will denote him so
That I may save my speech: do but go after,
And mark how he continues.
LODOVICO: I am sorry that I am deceived in him.
(IV, i, 299-305)
9. Pay attention to Othello’s language in this scene. How does his use of language parallel his language in Act III? What
does Othello’s use of language explain about his character?
Act IV, scene ii
1. How does Emilia prove to be a friend to Desdemona? How does her characterization of the cause of Othello’s mistrust
parallel Emilia’s beliefs about men and marriage?
2. In the following speech, to what does “it” refer?
EMILIA: I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest,
Lay down my soul at stake. If you think other,
Remove your thought; it doth abuse your bosom.
If any wretch have put this in your head,
Let heaven requite it with the serpent’s curse!
For, if she be not honest, chaste, and true,
There’s no man happy; the purest of their wives
Is foul as slander.
(IV, ii, 14-21)
3. Explain the rhetorical strategy that Shakespeare uses in the following passage. What is its effect?
OTHELLO: Was this fair paper, this most goodly book,
Made to write “whore” upon? What committed?
Committed! O thou public commoner!
I should make very forges of my cheeks,
That would to cinders burn up modesty,
Did I but speak thy deeds. What committed!
Heaven stops the nose at it and the moon winks;
The bawdy wind that kisses all it meets
Is hush’d within the hollow mine of earth,
And will not hear it. What committed!
Impudent strumpet!
(IV, ii, 79-89)
4. Read the following interchange between Iago, Desdemona, and Emilia. What question does Desdemona ask of Iago?
How does he initially respond? What does this say about his character?
IAGO: What’s the matter, lady?
EMILIA: Alas, Iago, my lord hath so bewhored her,
Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her,
As true hearts cannot bear.
DESDEMONA: Am I that name, Iago?
IAGO: What name, fair lady?
DESDEMONA: Such as she says my lord did say I was.
EMILIA: He call’d her whore; a beggar in his drink
Could not have laid such terms upon his callet.32
IAGO: Why did he so?
DESDEMONA: I do not know; I am sure I am none such.
IAGO: Do not weep, do not weep. Alas the day!
EMILIA: Hath she forsook so many noble matches,
Her father and her country and her friends,
To be call’d whore? would it not make one weep?
DESDEMONA: It is my wretched fortune.
IAGO: How comes this trick upon him?
DESDEMONA: Nay, heaven doth know.
EMILIA: I will be hang’d, if some eternal villain,
Some busy and insinuating rogue,
Some cogging, cozening33 slave, to get some offi ce,
Have not devised this slander; I’ll be hang’d else.
IAGO: Fie, there is no such man; it is impossible.
(IV, ii, 130-152)
32whore
33deceiving
5. Roderigo is absent throughout much of the play. Explain Roderigo’s infl uence in the action in the play despite his
invisibility. How is this a testimony to Iago’s manipulation? What is Roderigo’s purpose in this scene?
6. What exposition are we given through the conversation between Iago and Roderigo? What is Roderigo able to learn
about Iago’s character that the other characters in the play have not?
7. How does Iago manipulate Roderigo at the end of scene two? How do we know that Iago is manipulating Roderigo?
Act IV, scene iii
1. Explain the meaning of Emilia’s statement, “I would you had never seen him!” (IV, iii, 19) What is the context in which
she makes the statement? How does Desdemona respond to Emilia’s statement, and what does this illustrate about
Desdemona’s
character?
2. Shakespeare uses foreshadowing in this final scene of act four to show what is going to happen to Desdemona. Cite
several examples of foreshadowing in the scene and explain what they imply about Desdemona’s knowledge of her
death.
3. Explain the purpose of the final conversation between Emilia and Desdemona. Of what do the two women speak?
4. Read Emilia’s final speech in Act Four. What comment do you believe Shakespeare might be trying to make about the
relationships between men and women through Emilia’s speech at the end of Act Four? How does Emilia’s speech
contrast Desdemona’s beliefs about the relationships between men and women during the Renaissance?
EMILIA: Yes, a dozen, and as many to the vantage34 as would
store35 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,36
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.
(IV, iii, 89-108)
34besides
35enough besides to populate the whole world
36withhold our allowance out of spite
Act V, scene i
1.Explain what the following speech illustrates about Iago’s character.
IAGO: I have rubb’d this young quat37 almost to the sense,38
And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio,
Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,
Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo,
He calls me to a restitution39 large
Of gold and jewels that I bobb’d40 from him,
As gifts to Desdemona;
It must not be. If Cassio do remain,
He hath a daily beauty in his life
That makes me ugly; and besides, the Moor
May unfold me to him; there stand I in much peril:
No, he must die. But so: I hear him coming.
(V, I, 11-21)
37pimple
38quick
39repayment
40stolen
2. For what two reasons does Iago say he wants Cassio dead?
3.In the battle, who is responsible for the wounds?
4. Explain Othello’s reaction to Roderigo’s and Casio’s injuries. With what does he give Iago credit? Explain the irony in
Othello’s words.
OTHELLO: ‘Tis he. O brave Iago, honest and just,
That hast such noble sense of thy friend’s wrong!
Thou teachest me. Minion, your dear lies dead,
And your unblest fate hies. Strumpet, I come!
Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted;
Thy bed, lust-stain’d, shall with lust’s blood be spotted.
(V, i, 32-37)
5. How is Iago able to manipulate the situation even further? How does his manipulation of the scene connect to the
theme of the play?
6. Why does Roderigo say to Iago, “O, damn’d Iago! O inhuman dog!”?
7. Explain Iago’s implication of Bianca. Explain why you believe he chooses to implicate her.
8. Read the following speech, paying particular attention to the aside. What does Iago’s statement lead us to believe
about him?
IAGO: Kind gentlemen, let’s go see poor Cassio dress’d.
Come, mistress, you must tell’s another tale.
Emilia, run you to the citadel,
And tell my lord and lady what hath happ’d!
Will you go on? [Aside] This is the night
That either makes me or fordoes me quite.
(V, i, 138-143)
Act V, scene ii
1.Read Othello’s speech at the beginning of scene. Explain Othello’s state of mind. How does his use of language
compare with his use of language in Act Four? As he contemplates murdering Desdemona, with what does he compare
taking her life? Explain the uses of diction as Shakespeare employs them in this speech.
OTHELLO: It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul.
Let me not name it to you, you chaste stars!
It is the cause. Yet I’ll not shed her blood,
Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow
And smooth as monumental alabaster.
Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men.
Put out the light, and then put out the light.
If I quench thee, thou fl aming minister,
I can again thy former light restore,
Should I repent me; but once put out thy light,
Thou cunning’st pattern of excelling nature,
I know not where is that Promethean heat41
That can thy light relume.42 When I have pluck’d the rose,
I cannot give it vital growth again,
It must needs wither; I’ll smell it on the tree. [Kisses her.]
O, balmy breath, that dost almost persuade
Justice to break her sword! One more, one more;
Be thus when thou art dead, and I will kill thee,
And love thee after. One more, and this the last:
So sweet was ne’er so fatal. I must weep,
But they are cruel tears; this sorrow’s heavenly,
It strikes where it doth love. She wakes.
(V, ii, 1-22)
41essence of life [Prometheus was a mythical figure who stole fire from the gods and gave it to man]
42relight
2.Why does Othello ask Desdemona if she prayed before she went to sleep?
3. How does Desdemona try to convince Othello not to kill her? What is the effect of her final conversation with Othello?
4. Explain the symbolism and recognition of the handkerchief in this final scene.
5.When Othello tells Desdemona of Cassio’s death, what is her reaction? How does Othello interpret this reaction?
6.Othello believes that he has killed Desdemona. Explain his reaction to her death.
OTHELLO: Yes: ‘tis Emilia. By and by. She’s dead.
‘Tis like she comes to speak of Cassio’s death.
The noise was here. Ha! no more moving?
Still as the grave. Shall she come in? were’t good?
I think she stirs again. No. What’s best to do?
If she come in, she’ll sure speak to my wife:
My wife! My wife! What wife? I have no wife.
O, insupportable! O heavy hour!
Methinks it should be now a huge eclipse
Of sun and moon, and that the affrighted globe
Should yawn43 at alteration.44
(V, ii, 110-120)
43open, as in an earthquake
44the change
7.Explain the events in the following lines from Act Five. Why does Desdemona say what she says?
EMILIA: Alas, what cry is that?
OTHELLO: That? what?
EMILIA: Out, and alas! That was my lady’s voice.
Help! help, ho! help! O lady, speak again!
Sweet Desdemona! O sweet mistress, speak!
DESDEMONA: A guiltless death I die.
EMILIA: O, who hath done this deed?
DESDEMONA: Nobody; I myself. Farewell;
Commend me to my kind lord. O, farewell! [Dies]
(V, ii, 141-149)
8. Why does Emilia repeat the phrase, “My husband!” three times?
9. How does Shakespeare reveal Iago’s duplicity after Desdemona’s murder?
10. How is Emilia’s fate parallel to Desdemona’s?
11. What is the implication behind Gratiano’s speech?
GRATIANO: Poor Desdemona! I am glad thy father’s dead:
Thy match was mortal to him, and pure grief
Shore his old thread in twain; did he live now,
This sight would make him do a desperate turn,
Yea, curse his better angel from his side,
And fall to reprobation.45
12. Explain the irony in Iago’s statement.
IAGO: Demand me nothing: what you know, you know:
From this time forth I never will speak word.
(V, ii, 348-349)
45damnation
12. How does darkness function in the scene?
13. Explain the imagery in Othello’s final speech. What is he requesting? How does the imagery speak to Othello’s
character?
OTHELLO: Soft you; a word or two before you go.
I have done the state some service, and they know’t.
No more of that. I pray you, in your letters,
When you shall these unlucky deeds relate,
Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate,
Nor set down aught in malice. Then must you speak
Of one that loved not wisely but too well;
Of one not easily jealous, but, being wrought
Perplex’d in the extreme; of one whose hand,
Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away
Richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdued eyes,
Albeit unused to the melting mood,46
Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees
Their medicinal gum. Set you down this;
And say besides, that in Aleppo once,
Where a malignant and a turban’d47 Turk
Beat a Venetian and traduced the state,
I took by the throat the circumcised dog,
And smote him, thus.
(V, ii, 388-406)
46crying
47dishonored