Othello Act 1 Questions
Q) Where are Roderigo and Iago in the beginning of the play?
A) In the streets of Venice, going to Brabantio’s home.
Q) Why are Iago and Roderigo going to see Brabantio?
A) To tell him that Othello has married his daughter
Q) Who does Roderigo love?
A) Desdemona
Q) Who is Desdemona?
A) Brabantio’s daughter
Q) What is Brabantio’s position?
A) He is a senator in Venice
Q) Who is Desdemona married to?
A) Othello
Q) Who is Cassio?
A) Cassio is an honorable lieutenant to Othello
Q) Who is asking of Othello’s presence?
A) The Duke of Venice
Q) Who comes rushing in to apprehend Othello?
A) Brabantio and Roderigo
Q) Why is Brabantio coming to Othello?
A) Because he thinks that Othello has stolen Desdemona against her will
Q) What are the Duke of Venice and the senators talking about?
A) How nobody is able to come to an agreement
Q) Why does the Duke of Venice want to see Othello?
A) He needs Othello to go to Cyprus
Q) Why does Brabantio come to see the Duke as well?
A) To tell him that Othello has done something with his daughter
Q) What has Othello actually done with Desdemona?
A) He has married her
Q) Why is Brabantio so angry that Othello has married his daughter, Desdemona?
A) He thinks that he has done so against her will
Q) Why does Brabantio think this?
A) Because he thought that Desdemona would never want to get married
Q) What does the first senator ask Othello?
A) He asks Othello if he has married Desdemona against her will
Q) Does Desdemona love Othello?
A) Yes, she loves him just as he loves her
Q) How does Brabantio react to this news?
A) He is angry with her and Othello
Q) Does the Duke of Venice allow Desdemona to go to Cyprus?
A) Yes
Othello Act 2 Questions
Q) Whose ship is the first to arrive at Cyprus?
A) Cassio’s
Q) Who is the second to arrive?
A) Desdemona, Emilia, Iago, and Roderigo
Q) Who is the last to arrive?
A) Othello
Q) Why are they all at Cyprus?
A) To fight the Turkish fleet
Q) Do they have to fight the turks?
A) No
Q) Why don’t they have to fight the turks?
A) Because the Turkish fleet was sunk by a storm
Q) Who does Iago get drunk?
A) Cassio
Q) Why does Iago try to get Cassio drunk?
A) So that he will get himself into trouble
Q) Who does Cassio get drunk with?
A) Iago and Montano
Q) What happens after they are all drunk?
A) There is a fight
Q) Who is the fight between?
A) Cassio and Montano
Q) Who does Cassio strike first?
A) Roderigo
Q) Why does Cassio attack Roderigo?
A) Because Roderigo said something to insult him
Q) Why does Cassio attack Montano?
A) Because Montano tries to get between Cassio and Roderigo
Q) What does Othello do about the fight?
A) He strips Cassio of his rank
Q) Who talks to Cassio about the fight and his wounds?
A) Iago
Q) Does Iago actually care if Cassio is hurt or not?
A) No
Q) How does Iago act when Othello is around, compared to when he is not?
A) When his is around Othello, he acts like he is his friend, but when he isn’t around he plots to kill
him
Q) Who does Act 2 end with?
A) Iago, talking about overthrowing Othello
Othello Act 3 Questions
Q) What does Cassio do to try to make up with Othello?
A) He gets musicians to play outside of Othello’s window
Q) Who does Othello send to tell the musicians to go away?
A) His servant
Q) What does Cassio try to get the clown to do?
A) Get Emilia to speak with him
Q) Why does Cassio want to speak with Emilia?
A) So that he can talk to Desdemona
Q) What does Emilia tell Cassio?
A) That Othello and Desdemona have been discussing Cassio’s case
Q) Why would it be impractical to reappoint Cassio?
A) Because of Montano’s influence in Cyprus
Q) Does Emilia allow Cassio to come in and talk to Desdemona?
A) Yes
Q) Where are Iago and Othello in the beginning of scene 2?
A) At the citadel
Q) What does Othello give Iago to deliver?
A) Some letters
Q) Who does Othello catch talking to Desdemona and Emilia?
A) Cassio
Q) What does Desdemona want Othello to do about Cassio?
A) She wants him to reinstate him as a lieutenant
Q) What is wrong with Othello before he is expected at dinner?
A) He has a pain in his head
Q) What does Desdemona offer to do about Othello’s headache?
A) She offers him her handkerchief
Q) What does Othello do about her offer?
A) He pushes it away, saying it is too small
Q) What happens to the handkerchief?
A) It falls to the floor, where Emilia picks it up and gives it to Iago
Q) What does Iago plan to do with the handkerchief?
A) Plant it in Cassio’s room
Q) What does Iago tell Othello that he can give him?
A) Circumstantial evidence that Desdemona is sleeping with Cassio
Q) What does Iago say Cassio did while he was sleeping?
A) He says that Cassio called out Desdemona’s name in his sleep
Q) Who gave the Handkerchief to Othello’s mother?
A) An Egyptian sorceress
Q) Why does Othello bring up the handkerchief when he is talking to Desdemona?
A) Because he suspects that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio
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Othello Act 4 Questions
Who are Iago and Othello talking about in the beginning of the act?
A) Cassio and Desdemona
What is Iago telling Othello that Cassio has done?
A) He is telling him that Cassio has slept with his wife
Are Cassio and Desdemona actually having relations?
A) No
What does Othello plan to do to his wife?
A) He plans to kill her with poison
What does Iago suggest that Othello do to kill Desdemona?
A) Strangle her
Who else does Othello confront about his wife and Cassio?
A) Iago’s wife, Emilia
What does Emilia tell Othello?
A) That Desdemona is honest and that she and Cassio have not actually done anything
In which scene does Othello first confront Desdemona?
A) Scene 2
How does Iago react to the news that Othello thinks Desdemona is sleeping with Cassio?
A) He acts surprised
What do Roderigo and Iago talk about at the end of scene 3?
A) Desdemona and Cassio
What was the name of Desdemona’s mothers maid?
A) Barbary
What song did Barbary sing?
A) “Willow”
Where does Othello send Desdemona to wait for him?
A) To the bed
What kind of song is “Willow?”
A) A sad love song
After hearing the news of Desdemona from Iago, what does Othello do?
A) He falls into a trance
What does Othello want to do after he hears about Desdemona and Cassio?
A) He want to kill Cassio
What is the meaning of the word “procreants?”
A) Covers
What does Emilia mean when she tells Othello that Desdemona is honest?
A) That she is faithful to Othello
What is Othello going to do to Desdemona while she is sleeping?
A) Kill her
What is a measure of linen?
A) A yard of fine linen
Othello Act 5 Questions
Q) What are Roderigo and Iago talking about in the beginning of Act 5?
A) Roderigo is planning to attack Cassio
Q) Why isn’t Roderigo able to wound Cassio?
A) Because Cassio’s coat is stronger than expected
Q) Who wounds Cassio in the leg from behind?
A) Iago
Q) Who stabs Roderigo?
A) Iago
Q) What does Iago say about that night?
A) That it will be the night that either makes him or ruins him
Q) What is Othello about to do in the beginning of scene 2?
A) He is about to kill Desdemona
Q) Why does Othello say that Desdemona must die?
A) So that she cannot betray more men
Q) Does Desdemona wake up before Othello can kill her?
A) Yes
Q) Who comes in right after Othello kills Desdemona?
A) Emilia
Q) What does Desdemona say right before she dies?
A) That nobody killed her, and that she killed herself
Q) What does Othello tell Emilia about Iago?
A) That it was he who told him that Desdemona was having an affair
Q) When Emilia calls Iago out, does he admit to giving false information to Othello?
A) Yes
Q) Does Othello finally realize that Desdemona has been honest?
A) Yes
Q) Why does Iago want to stab Emilia?
A) Because she has uncovered his plans
Q) Who disarms Othello when he runs at Iago?
A) Montano
Q) Who stabs Emilia?
A) Iago
Q) Who wounds Iago?
A) Othello
Q) Why doesn’t Othello kill Iago?
A) Because in his eyes, it is happiness to die
Q) How did Cassio actually get Desdemona’s handkerchief?
A) He found it
Q) How does Othello kill himself?
A) He stabs himself
Othello Act 1 Summary
The play opens in Venice, Italy, at night. Iago and Roderigo, who is in love with Desdemona, are on the
street outside of the home of Brabantio, Desdemona's father. Iago tells Roderigo that he hates Othello,
mainly because Othello has made Cassio his lieutenant instead of Iago. They call out to Brabantio, telling
him that his daughter, Desdemona has been stolen away and has married Othello. Brabantio is
infuriated, and he goes with his servants to find Othello. Meanwhile, Iago is the first to find Othello, and
then Brabantio shows up. In the next scene, the Duke of Venice and the senators are talking about the
Turkish fleet and Cyprus. Brabantio, Othello, Cassio, and Roderigo, all enter and Brabantio tells them
what Othello has done with his daughter. Othello replies that he has not stolen Desdemona but has
legally married her, although without her father's consent. Desdemona is sent for, and when she arrives,
she admits to them that she has married Othello and she is in love with him. The duke tells Othello that
he must go to Cyprus to defend against the Turks. Othello asks that Desdemona go with him, and the
duke gives her permission to go. At the end of the act, everyone leaves for Cyprus. Iago says that
Othello will soon change his mind and that he will help Roderigo win Desdemona. After Roderigo exits,
Iago is talking to himself, and he reveals his plans to betray Othello.
Othello Act 2 Summary
Act 2 opens in Cyprus, in a storm. The entire Turkish fleet was sunk by the storm, and everyone
arrives at Cyprus. Cassio is standing guard after they are all at Cyprus, and Iago is trying to get him
drunk. Cassio says that he has already had a drink and he doesn’t need anymore, but Iago is able to
convince him to have a drink. After Cassio is drunk, Roderigo says something that angers Cassio, and
Cassio attacks Roderigo. Montano tries to step in between Roderigo and Cassio, telling Cassio that he is
drunk. This only angers Cassio, and so he and Montano begin to fight. Othello comes in and breaks up
the fight, but they are both already injured. Othello then strips Cassio of his rank and then leaves to
tend to Montano’s wounds. Cassio and Iago are left alone talking, because Cassio thinks that Iago is
actually his friend. Iago sets part of his plan into emotion by telling Cassio that he should get back onto
Othello’s good side through Desdemona.
Othello Act 3 Summary
At the beginning of act 3, Emilia speaks to Cassio and tells him she will work on his behalf with
Desdemona. Then, Cassio is finally able to speak to Desdemona himself. Othello comes in and Cassio
runs away quickly so that he doesn’t see him. Iago makes a comment about how he does not like seeing
Cassio speaking with Desdemona. This bothers Othello, and he starts to become jealous. Desdemona
and Othello make up, and everything seems fine. However, Desdemona, through her support of Cassio,
contributes to his growing jealousy. After Desdemona and Emilia exit, Iago starts talking to Othello
again, suggesting that Cassio and Desdemona have betrayed him. He tells Othello that Desdemona
deceived her father when she married him, suggesting that she is not honest. Othello has a headache
and Desdemona gets out her handkerchief to wipe off his head, but he knocks it out of her hand. Emilia
picks up the handkerchief, saying that her husband has asked her to take it for him. She gives it to Iago
then leaves. Iago then says that he will leave the handkerchief in Cassio's lodgings to be used as
evidence against him. Iago then tells Othello that he has seen Desdemona’s handkerchief in Cassio's
possession. Othello vows to have Desdemona put to death. When Desdemona enters, Othello asks her
for the handkerchief. Desdemona is unable to produce it, and Othello takes this as evidence of her
betrayal.
Othello Act 4 Summary
In Act 4 of the play, Iago tells Othello that Desdemona and Cassio have been having relations
with each other. Othello falls into a trance, and when he wakes, he wants to kill Cassio. Iago convinces
him that he should kill Desdemona instead, so Othello plans to poison her. Iago then tells Othello that
he should strangle her instead, so he makes plans to do so. When Othello confronts Desdemona, she
denies his claims that she has been unfaithful in their marriage. Othello asks Emilia if Desdemona has
been having an affair, and Emilia defends Desdemona, saying that she is a honest woman. When
Desdemona tells Iago about the accusations that Othello has made, he acts surprised and tries to act like
he is going to help Desdemona. Later in the act, Othello sends Desdemona to bed, because he plans to
kill her that night. Before going to bed, Desdemona talks with Emilia, and then sings a song called
“Willow.” Emilia exits, and the act ends.
Othello Act 5 Summary
In the beginning of Act 5 of “Othello,” Roderigo is planning to attack Cassio, but when he tries to, he is
unsuccessful. Iago sneaks around and stabs Cassio in the back of the leg, and then exits. Later in the act,
Othello is in Desdemona’s chamber, because he is about to kill her. He goes on a monologue, talking
about the reasons that he must kill her, stating that if he kills her, then she will not be able to betray any
more men. Desdemona wakes up and Othello tells her that he is going to kill her. Desdemona tries to
convince him otherwise, but she fails. Othello smothers her, and then Emilia enters. Emilia tells Othello
that Desdemona was an honest woman, and then Othello realizes that he has been deceived by Iago. By
this time, Iago and others are in Desdemona’s chamber as well. Iago gets tired of Emilia talking and
revealing his secrets, so he stabs her and then runs off. Iago is then captured and brought back, and
Othello wounds him, but doesn’t kill him, stating that it is happiness to die. Distraught with grief and the
realization that he has killed Desdemona, who was an honest woman from the start, he stabs himself
and dies.
Notes on the Moors

The moors were nomadic people of the northern shores of Africa

They originated from Mauretania

They were converted to Islam and became Muslim

They spread into the southwestern parts of Africa, and into parts of Spain

Under the rule of Tarik Ibn Ziyad, they crossed Gibraltar in 711, and overran the visigothic
kingdom of Roderick

They spread into France, but were turned back by Charles Martel

In 756, Abd Ar-Rahman I established the Umayyad Dynasty at Cordoba

The Moors were people of Arab and Berber orgins

After conquering Spain, the Moors developed Anclalusia and Cordoba as the main cities of the
country

The Moors were patrons of medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and made many great
achievements in these fields

The Moors paved the way for the European Renaissance
Othello Major Character List

Othello- A noble Moor, and a General in the service of the Venetian state

Brabantio- Desdemona’s father, and a senator in Venice

Cassio- A Lieutenant to Othello

Iago- A villainous ancient to Othello

Roderigo- A Venetian gentleman

Duke of Venice- The Duke of Venice

Desdemona- Othello’s wife, and daughter of Brabantio

Emilia- Wife to Iago

Bianca- Mistress to Cassio

Montano- Othello’s predecessor as governor of Cyprus

Gratiano- A noble Venetian, and Brabantio’s brother

Lodovico- A noble Venetian, and a kinsman to Brabantio
Other Minor Characters
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Senators
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Clown
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Sailors
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Messengers
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Herald
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Officers
Relationship between Desdemona and Emilia
In “Othello,” Emilia and Desdemona have a good relationship. They remain friends throughout
the play, and they are both similar to each other in several ways. Desdemona and Emilia are both
unable to realize what Iago is trying to do, although there were instances where his actions around
the two would have been suspicious. Desdemona is the wife of an honest man, whereas Emilia is the
wife of one of the greatest villains of all time. The only wrong that is done by either of these women
is by Emilia, when she steals Desdemona’s handkerchief. (III. Iii. 289) Emilia takes it, seeking her
husband’s approval, without realizing the consequences that there will be because of her actions.
Emilia gives the handkerchief to Iago, and he uses it as the main piece of evidence against
Desdemona. (III. Iii. 313)
Relationship between Cassio and Emilia
Throughout the play, Emilia and Cassio remain on good terms, and could even be called friends,
although they were not very close. In Act 3, Emilia acts as a sort of median between Cassio and
Desdemona, when Cassio was trying to talk her in order to get Othello’s favor. (III. ii. 38) The
relationship between Cassio and Emilia starts to become more apparent when Emilia is helping
Cassio and Desdemona try to get he and Othello back together, because Othello was angry at Cassio
for starting a fight.
Cassio’s Dream
In Act 3 of “Othello,” Othello is asking Iago for proof that his wife, Desdemona has been
unfaithful to him. Iago comes up with a story about Cassio having a dream one night when he was
lying in the bed with Iago. Iago tells Othello that Cassio was calling out Desdemona’s name while he
was dreaming about an encounter that he had with her. He tells Othello that Cassio grabbed Iago,
and wrapped his leg over his thigh while they were sleeping. Othello takes this as some proof that
Desdemona and Cassio are sleeping together.
History behind the Handkerchief
Othello gave the handkerchief to Desdemona as a first gift, and it is a token of his love for her. This is
the reason that Iago wanted the handkerchief, because he knew how important it was to Othello. Iago
also knows that, for Othello, the handkerchief symbolizes Desdemona's faithfulness. When Othello
realizes that Cassio has possession of the handkerchief, he is convinced that Desdemona is unfaithful.
The handkerchief is spotted with red strawberries, and Othello tells Desdemona that the strawberries
were hand stitched with thread that has been dyed with blood from maidens' hearts.. So, in Othello's
mind, the napkin represents her faithfulness in the marriage, and as long as it is in her possession, she is
honest. If the handkerchief is not in her possession, or if it is in the possession of another man, then she
is being dishonest.
Relationship between Cassio and Desdemona
In “Othello,” Cassio is believed to be having sexual relations with Desdemona. Although he is
not, Iago is feeding fake stories to Othello, making him believe otherwise. In reality, however; Cassio and
Desdemona never do anything wrong. After Cassio was stripped of his rank as lieutenant, he was trying
to get back onto good terms with Othello. Desdemona was on Cassio’s side, whereas Othello was
hesitant to make up with him. Desdemona and Cassio are nothing more than friends, even though
Othello thinks otherwise.
 Evidence that Othello and others believe Iago to be honest
 Throughout the play, Iago lies to everyone, but they are mostly oblivious to it
 Othello believes all of the lies that Iago tells him about Cassio and Desdemona
 Cassio is under the impression that he and Iago are actually friends
 Nobody ever questions what Iago has to say, they just believe him
 Evidence of Iago’s villainy in Acts 1 and 2
 In the first scene of Act 1, Iago reveals to Roderigo that he hates Othello, the Moor
 At the end of Act 1, Iago has a monologue, and he states his plans to overthrow Othello
 In Act 2, Iago tries to get Cassio drunk while he is supposed to be standing guard
 Iago gets Cassio drunk so that he will get into a fight and into trouble with Othello
 Evidence of Jealousy and Betrayal
 Evidence of Jealousy

Iago is jealous of Cassio, because Cassio was promoted to Lieutenant by Othello before he
was
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Roderigo is jealous of Othello, because Othello married Desdemona, while Roderigo loves
her

Othello gets jealous of Cassio, when he thinks that he and Desdemona are having an affair
 Evidence of Betrayal

Iago betrays Othello, by planning to overthrow him

Cassio betrays Othello by getting drunk and getting into a fight with Montano

Emilia betrays Desdemona when she steals the handkerchief given to Desdemona by Othello

Othello betrays Desdemona by taking her life after being fed lies by Iago
 Evidence of Friendship
 Othello and Cassio

Othello and Cassio are good friends in the beginning of the play

Othello appointed Cassio as his lieutenant

Othello turns against Cassio, when he is fed lies by Iago
 Iago and Othello

Although this wasn’t a friendship to Iago, it was in Othello’s eyes

Othello always trusts Iago

Iago always seems to be there for Othello when he need to be

Iago is Othello’s best friend when he thinks that Cassio and Desdemona are having relations
 Emilia and Desdemona
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Emilia and Desdemona remain good friends throughout the play

Emilia is always there for Desdemona, and vice versa
 Appearance vs. Reality
 In this play, things are not always what they seem
 Othello is under the impression throughout the play that Iago is a true friend, when in reality,
Iago is constantly telling lies to Othello, and is secretly plotting to overthrow him
 Othello also thinks that Cassio and his wife, Desdemona are having sexual encounters, when in
reality, they are not, and Iago is the one telling him that they are because he is going to betray
Othello
 Cassio thinks that Iago is a good friend as well, because he has been there for Cassio, but Iago is
only making it appear this way in order to make things less suspicious
William Shakespeare

Baptized on April 26, 1564

Died on April 23, 1616

Regarded as the greatest writer in the English language

Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon

At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway
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He had three children
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Produced most of his well-known work between 1589 and 1613
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His early plays were mainly comedies and histories
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Towards the end of his career, however, he wrote mainly tragedies

Shakespeare’s company, The Lord Chamberlains Men, built the Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre was destroyed by a fire on June 29, 1613

The Theatre was rebuilt in June of 1614