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.