Othello Questions – Act 4
Act 4, Scene 1
1) What are Othello and Iago discussing at the beginning of the scene? What physical reaction does
Othello have to Iago’s information?
2) Whom do Iago and Cassio discuss while Othello is hiding? What does Cassio say about her? Whom does Othello think they are discussing and why?
3) Who enters at the end of Iago’s and Cassio’s conversation? What does she say to Cassio and what does she give him?
4) How does Othello plan to kill Desdemona? How does Iago suggest he do it? What is Othello’s response to Iago’s suggestion?
5) Who is Lodovico? How does Othello treat Desdemona in Lodovico’s presence, and what does
Lodovico say about Othello’s behavior? What does Iago tell Lodovico about Othello’s behavior?
Act 4, Scene 2
1)What does Othello ask Emilia at the beginning of the scene, and how does Emilia respond?
2) What does Othello say to Desdemona and how does Desdemona respond? Is Othello treating
Desdemona fairly?
3) When Desdemona and Emilia tell Iago about Othello’s behavior, how does Iago respond? What does
Iago say he thinks is the cause of Othello’s anger? What does Emilia think is the cause?
4) Why is Roderigo angry and how does he threaten Iago? In response, what does Iago say Roderigo must do and why? According to Iago, what will be Roderigo’s reward if he follows Iago’s advice?

Act 4, Scene 3
1)What does Othello command Desdemona to do, and how does Desdemona respond?
2) According to Desdemona, who was the maid Barbary and what happened to her?
3) What are Desdemona’s views about women who cheat on their husbands? What are Emilia’s views?
What does Emilia give as the reasons a woman might cheat?
!!IMPORTANT!!
BRAINSTORM: Think of all of the situations that you see taking place throughout the play. What are some of the most significant topics that are addressed by Shakespeare in the play? Make a list or “storm” below.
MOTIFS: a recurring object, concept, or structure in a work of literature example: light and darkness images throughout Romeo and Juliet (Romeo = moon, Juliet = sun)
With a partner, list all of the motifs you can find that are demonstrated throughout the play.

ACT 3, SCENE 4 QUESTIONS
Please answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper to keep with your notes.
1.
The clown at the beginning of this scene has two purposes. What are they?
2.
What is Desdemona worried about?
3.
What is Desdemona’s point of view about men?
4.
What is Emilia’s point of view about men?
5.
Although the conversation between Othello and Desdemona begins very formally, he remembers his affection for her and calls her by her nickname, “chuck”, however, he quickly becomes angry with her again, why? What does this change in mood indicate about Othello?
6.
What does Othello accuse Desdemona of? What is her explanation?
7.
What is Othello’s story of the handkerchief’s history?
8.
What can the handkerchief represent in the play?
9.
What are Emilia’s thoughts about jealousy?
10.
What are Cassio and Bianca arguing about?
11.
Which two characters show a deep contrast to Othello in this scene?
12.
What is the dramatic irony that is present throughout the whole scene?
DIG A LITTLE DEEPER
1.
Who is Emilia loyal to? Has her loyalty changed?
2.
How are the three women in the play similar/different than each other? Draw a Venn diagram to demonstrate their similarities and differences.
3.
What is Iago’s role in this scene? Why is his presence (or lack of) important?