Shakespearean Literature 09/10
Mr. Sullivan
Part I: Short Answer (Give textual citations for all of your answers.)
Othello
Reading Packet
Othello Act 1
1. At the end of 1.1, what does Brabantio indirectly speculate is the way that Othello has
wooed Desdemona? (He makes the accusation explicitly in 1.2)
2. Against whom are the Venetians fighting?
3. How, according to Othello, did he woo Desdemona?
4. What does Desdemona request of the Duke?
5. Why does Roderigo say he wants to drown himself?
Part II: Questions for discussion. Two questions are provided; you must write two of your
own. For all four questions, write notes that will help you to contribute to the discussion in
class.
1. What do you make of the racial tensions exhibited so far in the play?
2. In his soliloquy at the end of Act 1, what does Iago reveal about his hatred for Othello?
3.
4.
Part III: Casting: Whom would you cast as Othello (other than Laurence Fishburne or James
Earl Jones)?
Shakespearean Literature 09/10
Mr. Sullivan
Othello
Reading Packet
Part I: Short Answer (Give textual citations for all of your answers.)
Othello Act 2
1. What has happened to the Turks?
2. What is the plan that Iago unfolds to Roderigo in 2.1?
3. According to Iago, why does he desire Desdemona? Why does he fear Cassio?
4. After the brawl, Cassio is most upset to have lost what?
5. Iago suggests that Cassio should ask whom to put in a good word for him with Othello?
Part II: Questions for discussion. Two questions are provided; you must write two of your
own. For all four questions, write notes that will help you to contribute to the discussion in
class.
1. What do you make of Iago’s relationship with Desdemona?
2. Why does Iago think Othello’s slept with Emilia?
3.
4.
Part III: Casting: Whom would you cast as Iago (other than Ian McKellen or Kenneth
Branagh)?
Shakespearean Literature 09/10
Mr. Sullivan
Othello
Reading Packet
Part I: Short Answer (Give textual citations for all of your answers.)
Othello Act 3
1. How does Desdemona respond to Cassio’s request that put in a good word for him?
2. What was Cassio’s role in the relationship between Othello and Desdemona?
3. What does Othello say about being in doubt, and what does that mean?
4. What does Iago say to Othello about Desdemona’s father, and why is it relevant?
5. What does Emilia find, why is she glad to have found it, and what is her plan with it?
Part II: Questions for discussion. Two questions are provided; you must write two of your
own. For all four questions, write notes that will help you to contribute to the discussion in
class.
1. Do you agree with Othello’s statement about how knowledge and jealousy work: “I saw ‘t
not, thought it not, it harmed not me”?
2. Describe the method that Iago uses to make Othello jealous.
3.
4.
Part III: Design: Describe another context (besides early modern Italy) in which you could set
this play in order to help it make sense to a modern audience.
Shakespearean Literature 09/10
Mr. Sullivan
Part I: Short Answer (Give textual citations for all of your answers.)
Othello
Reading Packet
Othello Act 4
1. How does Iago orchestrate his own conversation with Cassio so that Othello will come to
suspect Cassio even more?
2. What does Othello do that shocks Lodovico?
3. As he exits 4.1, Othello delivers one of the best exclamations in Shakespeare. What is it?
Give an example of how you might use it in your everyday speech.
4. Early in 4.2, what does Desdemona speculate might be the reason for Othello’s anger
toward her?
5. According to Emilia, if wives are unfaithful, whose fault is it? Why?
Part II: Questions for discussion. Two questions are provided; you must write two of your
own. For all four questions, write notes that will help you to contribute to the discussion in
class.
1. Does Othello’s jealousy seem proportionate to the evidence he has of Desdemona’s
infidelity?
2. Does Iago’s abuse of Othello seem proportionate to the reasons he has to dislike Othello?
3.
4.
Part III: Casting: Whom would you cast as Emilia, and what qualities would an actress
playing Emilia need to have?
Shakespearean Literature 09/10
Mr. Sullivan
Othello
Reading Packet
Part I: Short Answer (Give textual citations for all of your answers.)
Othello Act 5
1. In 5.1, what are the reasons Iago gives why Roderigo and Cassio must die?
2. What ends up happening to Roderigo and Cassio? What injuries does each take as a result
of their encounter, and how do those injuries happen?
3. Early in 5.2, what reason does Othello give why Desdemona must die?
4. How does Emilia die?
5. Who governs Cyprus at the end of the play?
Part II: Questions for discussion. Two questions are provided; you must write two of your
own. For all four questions, write notes that will help you to contribute to the discussion in
class.
1. Who is most responsible for Desdemona’s death? Othello? Iago? Desdemona? Emilia?
2. What do you make of Iago’s last lines?
3.
4.
Part III: Casting: Describe the stage setting in which the last scene take place. Where does it
happen? How are characters dressed?