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Name: ________________________
Date: _______________________
Period: _________________________
Othello Test
MATCHING: Choose a name from the following list to respond to the descriptions below. One
name will be used more than once (1 point each).
IAGO
BIANCA
DESDEMONA
THE DUKE
OTHELLO
EMILIA
RODERIGO
CASSIO
BRABANTIO
1. The Moor
2. The wife of Iago
3. The man who helps Iago follow through with his evil plans
4. The prostitute who thinks she is Cassio’s girlfriend
5. The one who sends Othello to Cyprus
6. Father of Desdemona
7. The man demoted for fighting with Roderigo
8. The one who loses her handkerchief
9. The one who is constantly labeled “honest”
10. The only character to commit suicide
MULTIPLE CHOICE: (2 points each)
11. As the play opens, Iago and Roderigo are discussing the fact that Othello has chosen
WHOM to be his officer?
a. Montano
b. Iago
c. Cassio
d. Roderigo
12. When Brabantio calls Iago a villain, Iago responds that Brabantio is something equally
repulsive, a __________________.
a. Pig
b. Scurvy knave
c. Senator
d. Devil
13. When Brabantio meets with Othello, what does he accuse Othello of using to win
Desdemona’s affection?
a. A sword
b. Black magic
c. Threats
d. Poetry
14. What lie does Iago tell Roderigo about Desdemona?
Questions provided by:
Barbara Doug Powell
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a. She is in love with the Duke
b. She is in love with Cassio
c. She is dying
d. She is a witch
15. What seems to be Iago’s opinion of his wife, Emilia, and all women?
a. They are worthy and honorable
b. They are beautiful and most blessed
c. They are foul and foolish
d. They are frightening and intimidating
16. What does Iago claim to have witnessed when sleeping near Cassio?
a. Cassio talking in his sleep about Desdemona
b. Cassio secretly reading a letter from Desdemona
c. Cassio writing sonnets about Desdemona
d. Cassio snoring
17. What physical illness seems to plague Othello at the beginning of Act IV?
a. Diabetes
b. Epilepsy
c. A stomachache
d. A bad cold
18. As she dies, WHOM does Desdemona say is at fault for her murder?
a. Emilia
b. Cassio
c. Herself
d. Othello
19. Who stabs and kills Emilia?
a. She kills herself
b. Othello
c. Iago
d. A stranger
20. At the end of the play, who is left in charge of Cyprus?
a. Iago
b. Montano
c. Cassio
d. Lodovico
FILL IN THE BLANK: Fill in the blank with the appropriate word (2 points each).
21. Iago and ___________ convince Brabantio that Othello has seduced Desdemona and taken
her away.
22. Othello gives Desdemona a _____________that he received from his mother.
23. Cassio gives this object to _________________.
24. The play opens in the city of ___________________.
Questions provided by:
Barbara Doug Powell
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25. Othello is sent to_____________ to fight the Turks.
26. Othello suspects that Desdemona is sleeping with ______________.
27. While he is hiding, Othello thinks that Iago and Cassio are talking about Desdemona but they
are actually talking about __________________.
28 and 29 . Iago stabs and kills ________________ and __________________.
30. Othello kills Desdemona by _________________________.
QUOTATION MATCHING: Choose 5 quotes from the list below. Identify the speaker and give
a 1-2 sentence explanation for each quotation that you choose (1 point for identifying correct
speaker, 2 points for explaining the meaning of the quote).
31-35. Choose from:
“Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: / She has deceived her father, and may thee.”
“Reputation, reputation, reputation! O I have lost my reputation! / I have lost the immortal part
of myself, and what remains is bestial.”
“They are all but stomachs, and we all but food. / To eat us hungerly, and when they are full, /
They belch us.”
“Heaven keep that monster from Othello’s mind.”
“Speak of me as I am, nothing extenuate,/ Nor set down aught in malice: then must you speak/
Of one that loved not wisely but too well.”
“Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. / From this time forth I never will speak
word.”
“ … I hate the Moor, / And it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets ‘Has done my office. I
know not if’t be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, / Will do as if for surety.”
E. SHORT ANSWER: In one to three complete sentences each, answer the following questions
(5 points each, for thoroughly answering the question).
36. Give two reasons why Iago wishes to harm Othello.
37. Describe Iago’s portrayal of Othello in Act I, Scene 1, and compare this with Othello himself
in Scenes 2 and 3.
38. Describe the methods used by Iago to convince Othello of Desdemona’s infidelity.
39. What do you think is Othello’s tragic flaw? Explain your answer.
40. What lesson or moral can we glean from this play?
ESSAY QUESTION: Choose one of the following essay questions below and write a 2 to 3
paragraph response (10 points).
Questions provided by:
Barbara Doug Powell
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1. Do you think Desdemona is too passive, or do you think her obedience to Othello is
justified? Do you think she could have prevented her own death and restored her relationship
with Othello? Explain your answer.
2. Is Othello's downfall a consequence of his own weakness or circumstances beyond his
control? How responsible is Othello for the play’s tragic outcome? Explain your answer.
BONUS QUESTION: (Up to 5 EXTRA points)
41. Why Shakespeare?
Questions provided by:
Barbara Doug Powell