Name: _________________________________________
Othello Take-Home Quiz
Acts 4 & 5
100 points
Please write your answers to the following questions on a separate sheet of
paper. Each question MUST be answered in full and complete sentences,
and must include specific details and references to the text (if applicable) to
give your answer(s) validity. Attach this sheet to your answer sheet when
you hand it in.
1. After Iago lied and told Othello that Cassio confessed to going to bed with
Desdemona, what advice did he give to the overwhelmed Othello? (Hint: 4.1.86-101).
How is this actually a trick by Iago to lead Othello to believe that Cassio was gloating
and bragging about his alleged affair with Desdemona (Hint: 4.1.107-157).
2. Read Act 4 Scene 1, lines 158-194. Why is Bianca angry with Cassio, and how did her
return with the handkerchief help Iago’s plan?
3. While it can be debated whether or not Iago’s character is psychotic (crazy) or pure
evil, it does appear that the character of Othello does begin to go crazy. Explain in
your own words the events and actions that lead to his breakdown and decide
whether Othello could have done anything to change his circumstances or is he just a
victim of them? BE SPECIFIC!
4. Why does Othello strike Desdemona? What was Lodovico’s reaction toward Othello’s
behavior toward Desdemona? How does Iago later explain Othello’s behavior to
Lodovico? (Act 4 Scene 1)
5. Read Act 4, Scene 2, lines 196-264. At the beginning of this scene between Iago and
Roderigo it seems as if Roderigo has finally figured out Iago’s true motives, however,
as the scene progresses that all changes. Explain fully how Iago convinces Roderigo
to kill Cassio and explain why Roderigo consents to think about it?
6. Iago states the following lines in the beginning of 5.1. Explain what Iago is saying in
these lines, specifically in reference to what he would gain from Roderigo’s death and
what he would gain from Cassio’s death? (In other words, why must, according to
Iago, both of them die?)
I’ have rubb’d this young quat almost to the sense,
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 restitution large
Of gold and jewels that I bobb’d 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. Be’t so; I hear him coming. (5.1.11-22)
7. Explain what happens in the fight between Cassio and Roderigo in 5.1. What does
Iago do after he wounds and kills Roderigo? BE SPECIFIC. GIVE DETAILS!!!!
8. Explain how Desdemona was faithful to Othello even to the end. Use specific scene
and line numbers to explain. TEXT BASED EVIDENCE!!!!
9. Which character(s) reveal the truth about Iago? How is Roderigo able to accomplish
this even in his death?
10. Explain what happens to Othello, Iago and Cassio in the end of the play. In reference
to Othello, explain what he says (realizes) in Act 5, Scene 2, lines 390-408.
BONUS: As compared to other works of literature, what makes or prevents the resolution
of Othello from being either satisfying or unsatisfying to you as a reader?