I. GENERAL REVIEW QUESTIONS:
1. Where are we as Act 2 begins? What is the situation at sea?
2. What has happened to the Turkish fleet?
3. Which ship from Venice arrives first?
4. Which ship arrives second? Why is it surprising that it arrives before Othello’s?
5. What does the discussion between Desdemona and Emilia tell us about their
relationship?
6. Who is Emilia?
7. How does Cassio greet Desdemona and Emilia?
8. Why does Iago want Roderigo to anger Cassio?
9. What is the purpose of Iago's plan?
10. What evidence is Iago using to rationalize his plan? Is his evidence solid?
11. What keeps Roderigo from seeing the truth instead of Iago’s lies?
12. What emotion seems to be governing Iago’s thoughts and actions?
13. How does Iago see Desdemona, and how does Cassio see Desdemona?
14. Why does Iago want Cassio to drink more wine?
15. What is the outcome of Cassio’s drinking?
16. What lie does Iago tell Montano about Cassio?
17. Why does Othello strip Cassio of his rank?
18. Why does Iago want Cassio to ask Desdemona for help in restoring Othello's faith in
Cassio?
19. How does Iago get back in Othello’s good graces?
20. What is Roderigo’s complaint, and how does Iago answer it?
II. ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Act II, Scene 1
1. Describe how Cassio acts when he lands at Cyprus, especially when Desdemona
comes ashore. (2:1, lines 42 -- 97)
2. Why does Iago verbally attack his wife at 2:1, lines 99 -- 110?
3. According to Iago what is all the most accomplished woman in the world is good for?
(2:1, lines 146 -- 158)
4. Explain what Iago is talking about at 2:1, lines 165 -- 175.
5. How does Iago convince Roderigo that Cassio is in love with Desdemona?
6. What is ironic about Roderigo's response to this news at 2:1, lines 248 --249?
7. In Act I, 3 we hear how Othello's life story helped win the love of Desdemona. In Act
2:1, lines 220 -- 225 we learn Iago's reaction to the same story. What?
8. What has changed since 1:3, in Iago's explanation of why he wants revenge on Othello
and others? (2:1, lines 285 -- 311) Why has it changed?
Act II, Scene 2
9. In 2:2, lines 12 -- 29, what is Iago trying to get Cassio to do? Why?
10. How does Iago's personality change from the way he's behaved in the past? Why the
change?
11. What is unattractive about Cassio's behavior as a drunk?
12. How does Iago manipulate the gentlemen of Cyprus to object to Cassio's behavior?
13. Look at 2:2, lines 177 -- 182. Why did Iago use those particular words?
14. What new aspect of Othello's personality do we see in 2:2, lines 201 -- 215?
15. Describe how Iago, while apparently defending his friend Cassio actually encourages
Othello to take action against him? (2:2, lines 218 -- 244)
16. Explain why Cassio reacts as he does at 2:2, lines 260 -- 263?
17. Explain why Iago's advice at 2:2, lines 264 -- 325 is a perfectly natural response?
18. In Iago's explanation of his revenge plot at 2:2, lines 333-- 359 are there any new
motives for his behavior?