Name ____________________
Period _____
Othello
Act II, Making Meaning Questions (Post Reading)
Reviewing the Text
a. In the order of appearance, list the characters who arrive from Venice in Scene 1.
b. What becomes of the Turkish threat?
c. What trouble does Iago stir up to disturb the peace of the island?
d. How does Othello react to the disturbance?
e. What advice does Iago give the remorseful Cassio?
First Thoughts
1. How does the setting change from Act I to Act II?
2. What are some possible symbolic meanings of this change?
3. How does Cassio speak of Desdemona before she arrives form Venice?
What does his greeting of her and Emilia reveal about his character?
4. Describe Iago’s views of women as he expresses them to Desdemona in Scene 1
(lines 146-156).
How does his language contrast with Casio’s when Cassio speaks of Desdemona
(lines 61-65 and 74-82)?
5. Although Othello and Desdmona’s reunion is joyful and passionate, the language of
the scene hints at other emotions in Othello. Which lines could foreshadow trouble?
6. What emotion does Iago play on to get Roderigo to provoke Cassio?
What weakness of Cassio’s does Iago take advantage of? What do these actions
reveal about Iago and his methods?
7. Iago often uses imagery of hell, darkness, disease, and traps when speaking of
himself and his plots. Find instances of such images in his soliloquy at the end of
Scene 3.
8. Although most of the characters in the play are deceived, we in the audience know
that Iago is a villain. Some critics see Iago as pure evil, whereas others say he is
motivated by common human emotions. What do you think of Iago? Is he merely a
stage villain, or are some people in the world very much like him? Explain your
answer.
9. Some critics suggest that Othello, the career soldier who is used to action and
physical deprivation, cannot tolerate prolonged intimacy and contentment and so
must destroy his own happiness. What do you think of this remark? Do you think
there is any evidence for this reading in the play so far?
Name ____________________
Period _____
Othello
Act II Study Guide/Work Packet
Plot Synopsis and Literary Focus
Act II
Scene 1
In the midst of a fierce storm, Montano, the governor of Cyprus, and other
gentlemen stand on the shore, awaiting news of the Turkish fleet. They are informed that
a Venetian ship has entered the harbor with a report that the Turkish ships have been
destroyed at sea and Othello’s ship was lost sight of in the gale. Cassio then enters and
tells of Othello’s marriage to Desdemona. Soon the sip carrying Desdemona, Iago, and
his wife, Emilia, arrives, and those three come onstage. Cassio greets Desdemona with
gallant praises. She thanks him cursorily and expresses her concern or Othello’s safety.
Immediately another ship, presumably Othello’s, is sighted. Cassio greets Emilia with a
kiss, and Iago engages in some clever but mean-spirited commentary on his wife’s open
nature and on women in general. At first, Desdemona humors Iago, but finally she is put
off by his cynical wit. When the courtly Cassio kisses Desdemona’s hand, Iago, in an
aside, vows, “with as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio” (lines
166-167). Othello then arrives, and he and Desdemona have an impassioned reunion,
which inflames Iago’s desire for revenge.
Left alone with Roderigo, Iago sets his plan in motion by convincing Roderigo that
Desdemona is in love with Cassio. In a long prose speech, Iago stokes Roderigo’s
jealousy by portraying Desdemona as tired of the older Othello and captivated by the
younger, handsomer Cassio. He paints Cassio as a zealous opportunist and asks
Roderigo to provoke Cassio’s anger, assuring him that by doing so he will win
Desdemona. Alone, Iago mulls over his own feelings and motives. He admires Othello
but hates him, perhaps because of Othello’s virtuous nature. Iago says that he, too, loves
Desdemona, but more out of vengefulness that desire.
Literary Focus
The scene continues to characterize Iago as a clever, hypocritical
villain. Iago puts on a false face to all, pretending to be the loyal servant of Othello and
Desdmona while secretly plotting to destroy their happiness. He even manipulates his
confederate, Rodrigo. In his scene-ending soliloquy the audience gets a direct view of
Iago’s twisted soul, which seems to take pleasure in giving pain. Many critics, including
Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Bernard Spivack, have seen Iago’s plotting as ‘motiveless
malignity’ and consider his dramatic role as evil incarnate to be an outgrowth of the Vice
figure in medieval morality plays.
Iago’s foil Cassio is all flattery and grand manners. He praises women, particularly the
fair Desdemona, as extravagantly as Iago belittles them. Unlike the introspective Iago,
the sunny Casso has little insight into his own or others’ motives.
Scene 2
A herald, or messenger, reads a proclamation to the people of Cyprus from
Othello. It announces that a festival will be held that evening to celebrate the destruction
of the Turkish fleet and the wedding of Othello. Food and drink are to be provided, an all
are invited to enjoy themselves.
Literary Focus
During this brief scene both leader and people are given permission
to enjoy the fruits of good fortune. The public and private domains are in harmony, and
there is a pause in the movement of Iago’s plan to undermine Othello’s happiness.
Scene 3
Othello, in Desdemona’s presence, asks Cassio to be sure the celebrations
do not get out of hand. He and Desdemon then leave, and Iago enters and engages Cassio
in conversation. Cassio admits that he cannot tolerate liquor yet gives in to Iago’s urging
to drink with Montano and some of the Cypriots. Cassio departs drunkenly, and Iago
suggests to Montano that the lieutenant is often unfit for duty. At Iago’s prodding,
Cassio gets into a fight with Roderigo. Montano, shocked by the brawling, intervenes
and is wounded by Cassio just as Othello arrives to find out the cause of the commotion,
which has disturbed his private hours with Desdemona and the peace of the island. Iago,
instigator of the entire incident, pretends to be innocent of its cause and desirous of
protecting Cassio. Giving way to anger for the first time. Othello strips Cassio of his
rank as lieutenant.
Alone with Iago, a remorseful Cassio laments the loss of his good name, “the immortal
part of myself” (line 262-263). Pretending to be sympathetic and helpful, Iago suggests
that Casio seek Desdemona’s aid in getting his position back: “this broken joint between
you and her husband entreat her to splinter” (lines 322-323). When alone, Iago takes
delight in the destruction he is engineering, associating himself with images of hell.
...Divinity of hell!
When devils will the blackest sins put on.
They do suggest at first with heavenly shows,
As I do now.
—lines 350-353
The scene ends with Roderigo declaring that he will return to Venice and Iago persuading
him to stay.
-moreLiterary Focus
This scene reveals further weaknesses in the essentially good characters of Othello and
Cassio. Like Othello, Cassio is credulous and easily led by the crafty Iago. Cassio, too,
seems unable to distinguish the appearance of friendship from the reality. Although he is
aware of his inability to tolerate alcohol, he gives in to Iago’s urging to take a drink.
Othello, who knows the need to control his temper, allows himself to fly into a rage when
he sees that his lieutenant, whom he charged with keeping the peace, is the person most
responsible for disturbing it.
Iago, in this scene, is portrayed as an evil, predatory figure. He uses images of hunting
and trapping to describe himself, taking pleasure, for example, in making “the net / That
shall enmesh then all” (lines 361-362).