Othello Unit Test
Weight 3
Knowledge ________ Inquiry ________ Communication ________ Application ________
Overall Expectations:
* Reading for Meaning: read and demonstrate an understanding of a variety of literary, informational, and
graphic texts, using a range of strategies to construct meaning;
* Reading With Fluency: use knowledge of words and cueing systems to read fluently;
* Developing and Organizing Content: generate, gather, and organize ideas and information to write for an
intended purpose and audience;
* Using Knowledge of Form and Style: draft and revise their writing, using a variety of literary, informational,
and graphic forms and stylistic elements appropriate for the purpose and audience;
* Applying Knowledge of Conventions: use editing, proofreading, and publishing skills and strategies, and
knowledge of language conventions, to correct errors, refine expression, and present their work effectively;
Part 1: Identify and Define the Significance: (1 mark definition + 2 marks importance = 3 marks per
term)
Answer four (5) of the following (5 x 3 = 15 marks Knowledge):
Monsters
Roderigo
Justice
The Scientific Method
Brabanizo
Clown
The Handkerchief
Willow Song
Monsters – Are used to symbolize the theme of jealousy and to demonstrate that being jealous is like
being monstrous. It also serves to show what Othello becomes by the end of the play, a jealous
monster.
Justice – A major theme in Othello. Often justice in the play is not handed out as in the case of
Desdemona’s lack of trial and death and the Duke’s poor ability to hold Othello accountable
for marrying Desdemona.
The Scientific Method – It was created and became popular around Shakespeare’s time. It is a
manner in which we use observation and methodology to prove something is true.
Shakespeare points out the danger in this when he discusses its flaws in terms of Othello’s
madness.
Brabanizo – Is the father of Desdemona. He represents the theme of loss of reputation as he
feels he is wronged when his daughter marries Othello without his knowledge. He is
presented as being unintelligent and dies off stage.
Roderigo – A rich man who loves Desdemona. He is manipulated and eventually killed by Iago.
He demonstrates further what happens to someone who is so consumed by jealousy that they
cannot see the situation they are in clearly.
Clown – A minor character and Othello’s servant. The Clown demonstrates the whit and savvy
of the poor and how much they often know of what is going on around them even if they are
not privy to the court style life.
The Handkerchief – A major symbol in Othello. It first symbolizes love when Desdemona has it
(as Othello received it from his mother), but then changes to a symbol of her chastity when its
stolen by Emila and used to manipulate Othello into believing that Desdemona cheats on him
with Cassio.
Willow Song – This song represents death and creates an image of a willow tree wilting. It is
sung whenever a female character dies or is about to die. The song was from Desdemona’s
former nanny that she sung before she died after her husband went mad and left her.
Part 2: Short Answer Questions: (Inquiry / Application)
1. Create a mind map of Iago’s revenge plan. Who does it affect and what happens to
them as a result of it?
Mind Maps will vary, but all must contain a central idea and smaller ideas that link to one
another. In order to achieve a level 4 students must have provided detail and significant
links from one concept to another.
2. The Scientific Method is used in the play. How is it used? Explain in detail and what
is Shakespeare’s overall message about The Scientific Method.
The scientific method is used throughout the play by various characters to attempt to
manipulate and ‘prove’ their ideas to be true. Iago presents a question of Desdemona’s
loyalty to Othello, gives him a hypothesis of her being unfaithful with Cassio, presents him
evidence such as the handkerchief and stories of Cassio dreaming of Desdemona, allows him
to observe Cassio with the handkerchief, then Othello draws the conclusion from the
evidence that she is unfaithful, and his solution is to kill her. This demonstrates the
scientific method as being untrustworthy as the senses over and over deceive Othello.
Part 3: Sight Passage: Read the Following Passage from Othello and answer the questions below.
(Inquiry)
Act 2 Scene 2
RODERIGO
Adieu.
Exit
IAGO
That Cassio loves her, I do well believe it;
That she loves him, 'tis apt and of great credit:
The Moor, howbeit that I endure him not,
Is of a constant, loving, noble nature,
And I dare think he'll prove to Desdemona
A most dear husband. Now, I do love her too;
Not out of absolute lust, though peradventure
I stand accountant for as great a sin,
But partly led to diet my revenge,
For that I do suspect the lusty Moor
Hath leap'd into my seat; the thought whereof
Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards;
And nothing can or shall content my soul
Till I am even'd with him, wife for wife,
Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor
At least into a jealousy so strong
310
315
320
That judgment cannot cure. Which thing to do,
If this poor trash of Venice, whom I trash
For his quick hunting, stand the putting on,
I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,
Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb-For I fear Cassio with my night-cap too-Make the Moor thank me, love me and reward me.
For making him egregiously an ass
And practising upon his peace and quiet
Even to madness. 'Tis here, but yet confused:
Knavery's plain face is never seen tin used.
325
330
Question:
1.
Explain with making specific reference to lines in the passage, how Iago plans to manipulate
Othello.
Iago plans to use Cassio’s courtesy towards Desdemona to make Othello jealous. He says in lines 327
to lines 328, “I'll have our Michael Cassio on the hip,/Abuse him to the Moor in the rank garb—.” This
means that he will tell Othello that Cassio is trying to steal his wife and that he will tell Cassio that
everything is ok. He also discusses that he will use Othello’s character against him calling him ‘lusty’
on line 317. This demonstrates that Iago will take advantage of Othello’s weakness and make him
very jealous of Cassio.
2.
Explain the theme of jealousy in the play as discussed in the quotation above.
Above Iago demonstrates his jealousy for Cassio as he has no reason to hate him or to harm Othello
except for Cassio’s promotion and his passing over by Othello. Also, Iago discusses how he will use
jealousy to ruin Othello in the same way that he was hurt by jealousy previously. Iago knows the
effects of jealousy himself. He says on lines 322 – 324 that he will, “that I put the Moor/ At least into a
jealousy so strong/ That judgment cannot cure.” This yet again demonstrates the effects that jealousy
can have on someone as Iago is willing to use it to ruin innocent people’s lives because he himself is
jealous.
Part 4: Essay Question (Communication / Application)
1.
In a five (5) paragraph essay (using all parts of an essay), answer one of the following
questions making reference to specific scenes, characters, and moments in the play.
Discuss the role of reputation and its significance to play. In a five (5) paragraph essay,
analyze how this theme drives/moves the plot of the play, and how specific characters
engage with it.
Or
There are three women who appear in the play (Desdemona, Emila, and Bianca). In a five (5)
paragraph essay discuss the representation of these women in the play from a Feminist
perspective. Answer the following question for each woman in order to form your thesis:
“How is the relationship between men and women portrayed?”
Answers will vary, but be in 5 paragraph essay form and discuss 3 character’s reputations
and how important they are. For example: they might discuss Othello and how he is enraged
to be a “cuckold” or Desdemona’s father’s feeling of loss of reputation with regards to his
daughter eloping and marrying Othello before the play. Students should discuss how this will
affect the overall plot of the play and drive the play as Othello becomes so enraged that he
eventually kills unnecessary Desdemona. They could also discuss the play’s view on
reputation as demonstrated by Iago when he discusses that reputation is not something you
make on your own, but something given to you by others that you have little control of.
For the second question answers will also vary but be in 5 paragraph form and discuss 3
reasons why jealousy is Othello’s tragic flaw. Students will make reference to specific
moments in the play where Othello demonstrates his ease of becoming jealous with Iago’s
manipulation. For example: students might discuss the use of the scientific method and how
Iago manipulates Othello with the handkerchief and Cassio’s proximity to Desdemona.
Specific examples and good communication skills as well as overall analysis of the play is
necessary here for a level 4.