Othello

Drama | William Shakespeare
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Brief Questions in Othello

Brief Questions in Othello

  • What was the source of Othello?
Ans: Cinthio’s tale, “The Moor of Venice.”
  • Who is Roderigo?
Ans: A rich Venetian and Iago’s foolish dupe.
  • Who is Cassio?
Ans: A professional soldier, Othello’s lieutenant.
  • Why and how does Roderigo wake Brabantio?
Ans: On Iago’s orders, he shouts at night.
  • What message does Roderigo give Brabantio?
Ans: Desdemona has eloped with Othello.
  • What is Iago’s treachery against Roderigo?
Ans: He deceives Roderigo and reports lies.
  • How is Othello received by the Duke?
Ans: The Duke welcomes him and seeks his help.
  • What complaints does Brabantio make to the Duke?
Ans: He says Othello used witchcraft to marry.
  • What stories did Othello tell at Brabantio’s house?
Ans: Adventures, battles, slavery, and strange lands.
  • How did Desdemona react to those stories?
Ans: She wept, admired him, and loved him.
  • How does Othello explain his “witchcraft”?
Ans: Love, not magic, won Desdemona’s heart.
  • Why does Desdemona beg to go to Cyprus?
Ans: She wants to be with her husband.
  • Why does Roderigo intend to commit suicide?
Ans: He failed to win Desdemona’s love.
  • What advice does Iago give Roderigo?
Ans: Disguise, gather money, and follow to Cyprus.
  • What intrigue does Iago plan against Othello?
Ans: Poison Othello’s mind against Cassio.
  • How does Iago twist Cassio’s courtesy?
Ans: He calls hand-holding proof of love.
  • What ill-advice does Iago give Roderigo?
Ans: Start a fight with Cassio at night.
  • Why is Montano wounded by Cassio?
Ans: He stops drunk Cassio; Cassio wounds him.
  • How will Iago entrap Cassio, Desdemona, Othello?
Ans: He recasts help as love to spark jealousy.
  • When does Desdemona offer the handkerchief?
Ans: When Othello complains of a headache.
  • How does the handkerchief fall?
Ans: Othello angrily throws it to ground.
  • What is special about the handkerchief?
Ans: Strawberries embroidered; Othello’s first gift.
  • Who picks up the handkerchief?
Ans: Emilia finds and picks it up.
  • How does Iago use the handkerchief?
Ans: He plants it in Cassio’s room.
  • How does Othello become sure of guilt?
Ans: He sees the handkerchief with Cassio.
  • Why do Lodovico and Gratiano come?
Ans: They recall Othello and appoint Cassio.
  • Why does Othello slap Desdemona?
Ans: He misreads her joy for Cassio.
  • What is Desdemona’s reaction to accusation?
Ans: She is shocked and speechless.
  • What is Desdemona’s irony of fate?
Ans: She begs help from Iago, her enemy.
  • How is Roderigo killed, and by whom?
Ans: Cassio wounds him; Iago kills him.
  • How is Desdemona killed by Othello?
Ans: He smothers her on the bed.
  • Who reveals Iago’s wickedness?
Ans: Emilia exposes the plot and handkerchief.
  • How does Emilia die?
Ans: Iago stabs her; she dies.
  • How does Othello die?
Ans: He stabs himself beside Desdemona.
  • What is Iago’s ultimate fate?
Ans: He is arrested for torture and judgment.
  • When and where does the play open?
Ans: Late night, a Venetian street near Brabantio’s.
  • Why is Cassio grief-stricken?
Ans: He lost rank and reputation.
  • What is “Othello-syndrome”?
Ans: Pathological jealousy in love.
  • What was the original title of Othello?
Ans: The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice.
  • What is Othello’s tragic flaw?
Ans: He trusts too easily and grows jealous.
  • Why did Othello go to Cyprus?
Ans: To defend it from the Turks.
  • How did Desdemona fall in love?
Ans: She loved his brave life stories.
  • Who is called “a woman of the world”?
Ans: Emilia is called worldly and practical.
  • Why does Roderigo intend to commit suicide?
Ans: He despairs of Desdemona’s love.
  • Why did Iago envy Othello?
Ans: Othello’s success and Cassio’s promotion.
  • How does Iago obtain the handkerchief?
Ans: He snatches it from Emilia’s hand. 

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