Othello
Sections to Read
I.i-ii
I.iii
II.i-ii
II.iii
III.i-ii
III.iii
IV.i
IV.ii
IV.iii
V.i
V.ii
Focus (taken from Unit 5 on Curriculum Guide)
1. Analyze claims by examining smaller sections of the text
2. Write informatively about complex concepts and ideas using solid support and evidence
3. Analyze complex ideas by using solid support and evidence
4. Determine text meaning by analyzing word choice
5. Effectively organize ideas, content, and analysis in a piece of writing
6. Identify and analyze the needs of a community, the priority of resources, and what is
important to a community
Focus (taken from Unit 5 DBA)
1. Analyze what a text says and what can be inferred using evidence from the text
2. Analyze development of author’s ideas by looking at smaller sections of the text
3. Develop a topic by using ample support
4. Assess the usefulness of a print or digital source and integrate that information into a
piece of writing
Activities for interacting with the text
-translate sections into everyday language
-summarize sections
-annotate sections to identify themes, rhetoric, author’s point of view, and central idea
-annotate sections that show the needs of the community or what’s important to them
-select key quotes from text and explain and analyze their importance
-identify sections of text and events that connect to present day and explain the connection and
importance
-identify specific character actions and evaluate, justify, and explain their importance
-evaluate the order of events and assess the effectiveness of that order
Extended writing activities (use evidence from the text and other sources as support)
-How does the community affect the characters?
-What are the priorities of the people living in Cypress and how do you know?
-Is a communal bond important to the characters—why or why not?
-what is the major theme of Othello and how does Shakespeare develop that theme?
-Compare and contrast any two film versions of the play
-Compare and contrast at least three film versions of the same character—Othello, Iago,
Desdemona, etc.
- Analyze the reasons for Iago’s actions. How far ahead does he plan and how much harm did he
intend?
-Which characters in the play are outsiders and why?
-Does Desdemona bear any of the responsibility for the tragedy? Why or why not?
-Does Othello fall as the result of a tragic flaw? Why or why not?
-Should Othello be played by a black or white actor? Does it matter? Why or why not?
-Evaluate film adaptations of Shakespeare plays. Can they compete with stage versions? Are
stage versions closer to the Shakespearean original?
-Evaluate Othello as villain and hero, paying special attention to his final speech.
-Is Othello a noble moor or a dangerous savage and why?
-Discuss prejudice in Othello. What points do you think Shakespeare was attempting to make?
-Why does Othello marry Desdemona? Why does she marry him? Was the destruction of the
marriage inevitable or was Iago’s malice necessary?
Supplemental activities
-quick write topics during reading to keep students engaged
-quick write topics as bell ringer or exit slip
-have students create their own scene interpretations of various scenes
-analysis with support at the end of each act addressing summarizing, theme analysis, personal
reaction, literary devices and most important events
Othello
Quick write topics for bell ringer/exit slips
-What does Iago mean when he says, “I am not what I am” and why is this important?
-Summarize why Iago wants revenge on Othello and how he plans to get it (Act I).
-What kind of followers are there according to Iago? Do you agree with him—why or why not?
-What is Iago’s view of human nature and love? Use at least 3 pieces of evidence from the text
as support.
-Do you think what Iago is trying to do fair or unfair and why (Act II)?
-Explain the importance of the quote, “My Lord is not my Lord” and how it can apply to present
day (Act III).
-How does Shakespeare show that Desdemona truly loves Othello? Use at least 3 pieces of
evidence from Act III.
-How would you describe a cuckold (a man whose wife cheats on him)? What are other
examples of well-known cuckolds (present and past)?
-How does Desdemona foreshadow her death in Act IV, scene iii? Use support from the text as
evidence.
-Does Desdemona seem weak or foolish because of her love for Othello? Why or why not?
Support you answer with evidence from the text.
-Why does Desdemona say that she has killed herself, not that it was Othello who killed her?
-In Act V, did Othello act without thinking or did he have good reasons for his actions? Support
your answer with evidence from the text.
-Is Othello a good man—why or why not? Use at least 3 pieces of evidence from the text as
support.
-Was Iago justified in the actions he took—why or why not? Use at least 3 pieces of evidence
from the text as support.
-What is Shakespeare’s point of view about jealousy and how do you know? Use specific quotes
from the text as support.
-Was Iago really good at manipulating people or where the other characters clueless about what
was going on? Use at least 3 pieces of evidence from the text as support.
Othello
Quick Write Act Questions
Act I
1. Why is Iago mad at or even hate Othello? What does this say about Iago and why?
2. Why is Roderigo jealous of Othello? Is this a good reason to be jealous—why or why
not?
3. Why is Othello no worried about Brabantio’s wrath? What does this say about Othello?
What does it say about Brabantio?
4. What is Othello accused of when Brabantio confronts him and why? How would you
describe Othello’s when he responds?
5. According to Othello, he won over Desdemona by doing what? What does this say about
Desdemona and why?
6. What is Othello’s tone during scene 3 and why?
7. Who does Desdemona say she owes obedience to and why is this important?
8. What does the Duke mean when he says, “If virtue no delighted beauty lack/ Your sonin-law more fair than black” and why is this meaningful?
9. What is Iago’s opinion of Roderigo during Iago’s soliloquy at the end of scene 3?
Act II
1. Iago views Othello as “different.” Why does he think Desdemona will lose her love for
Othello? Do you think he is right—why or why not?
2. Is there any indication that Othello feels like an outsider in scene 1? Why or why not?
3. How does Iago convince Roderigo that Cassio must be dishonored and “removed” and
why is this important?
4. Why does Iago believe “fair and foolish” women would do well with men? What does
this say about Iago and why?
5. Why does Iago believe Othello slept with his wife? Who else does Iago believe did the
same and why?
6. Which characters believe that Iago is honest and why?
7. Why does Iago want Cassio to talk with Desdemona about getting his rank back instead
of talking with Othello? How does he convince Cassio to do this and what does it say
about Cassio and why?
8. Is Iago comical, pitiable, or something else by the end of scene 3 and why?
Act III
1. How could Cassio upset Iago’s plan by the end of scene 1?
2. Why does Othello become suspicious of Desdemona?
3. Why is Iago able to raise questions about Desdemona in Othello’s mind and why is this
important?
4. What does Desdemona talk to and kiss and why? What could this indicate about her and
why?
5. Why is the handkerchief so important to Act III and the characters?
6. Why does Othello become consumed with jealousy? Predict what will happen because of
this jealousy and why.
Act IV
1. What does Othello think Cassio is bragging about to Iago and why? Why might this be
important?
2. Iago tells Othello it’s best to know what? Do you really think Iago believes this—why or
why not?
3. What is the purpose for having Bianca show up in scene 1? Why does Othello say on
moment she is a sweet creature and the next talk of letting her rot?
4. Why does Othello hit Desdemona? How and why does Desdemona react to and feel
about this?
5. Why does Othello try to get Desdemona to confess to cheating? What is his state of mind
at this point and why?
6. What does Emilia say about women who commit adultery? Would you agree with her—
why or why not?
Act V
1. What are two reasons why Iago wants Cassio dead and why?
2. Describe the violence in this act? Summarize what happens to multiple characters and
why.
3. What is Othello’s mood during his soliloquy at the beginning of scene 2 and how do you
know?
4. In scene 2, when Othello says he’s going to “put out thy light,” what does he mean?
What might we say in present day?
5. How and why does Desdemona lie?
6. Why does Emilia defy Othello? What does this say about her and why?
7. When and why does Othello realize the mistake he’s made? Why is this important?
8. What does Othello compare his mistake to and why?
9. What will the future be like for Cassio and Iago and why?