Othello – Act II study guide
Name ___________________________________________ Period ______ Date ___________
Act II, scene i
1) How were the Turks defeated?
2) Why didn’t Othello return at the same time Cassio did?
3) What gestures of respect does Cassio show Desdemona that Iago says he can later use against
Cassio? What others are there even as the scene continues?
4) In this scene, Iago makes a comment that is actually insulting towards Emilia’s personality.
What does he say about her?
5) Why does Desdemona continue to continue the banter with Iago despite his harsh words?
6) What is ironic about the things Iago says to Desdemona?
7) Until this point, Iago has not actually told a direct lie. What blatant lie does he finally tell?
8) Iago begrudgingly compliments Othello. Cite the line and explain the significance of this
admittance.
9) Why does Iago say that he loves Desdemona?
10) What do we know about Iago’s plan thus far?
Act II, scene ii
11) What two reasons are given for celebration?
Othello – Act II study guide
12) What do you think is the significance of including this scene? What bigger picture is it
adding to? How does it contribute to the play? Despite its brevity, Shakespeare put it in for
a reason; what might that reason be?
Act II, scene iii
13) How is the fight scene between Cassio and Roderigo similar to the fight between Tybalt and
Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet?
14) Why do you think Cassio is running after Roderigo with a sword? How do you think the
brawl began?
15) Othello seems to believe that Cassio began the fight due to the fact that he cannot hold his
liquor. Do you agree with this assessment? Explain your answer. Cite your evidence.
16) Explain how Iago uses the truth for his own purposes throughout this scene.
17) Why is Roderigo ready to return home?
18) In Act II, Shakespeare seems to go in an out of iambic pentameter more than in any other act.
Why do you think he keeps reverting to prose in this act?
19) Iago seems to be able to prey on a person’s weaknesses. The reader has witnessed the weak
traits in others he’s preyed upon, but is there evidence that Othello is susceptible to jealousy?
Why do you think Iago selected jealousy?
20) From what you know of Iago’s scheme thus far, do you think it will work? Do you think
Othello will be as susceptible to jealousy as Iago thinks he will? What complications do you
foresee? Explain your answers.