Othello Unit Test
Weight 3
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 (4) of the following (4 x 3 = 12 marks Knowledge):
The Turks – The army that Othello was supposed to fight that was destroyed in the storm. They
are important as they give both historical context to the play and demonstrate the lack of
importance of war if your domestic life is not in check.
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.
Tragedy - A Shakespearean type of play that focuses on the downfall of a major character
(Othello) from a place of high esteem. The character is endowed with a tragic flaw that they
cannot escape from (jealously).
Bianca – Minor character and contusion or prostitute in Othello. She dates Cassio and is
portrayed as a lower class citizen. She demonstrates strength of women when she stands up to
Cassio, Iago and Emilia with regards to her incitement of having Cassio killed and him not
being serious with her.
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.
Part 2: Sight Passage: Read the Following Passage from Othello and answer the Question below: (12
marks Inquiry)
Yes, a dozen; and as many to th’ vantage as
Would store the world they played for.
[But I do think it is their husbands’ faults
If wives do fall. Say that they slack their duties,
And pour our treasures into foreign laps;
Or else break out in peevish jealousies,
Throwing restraint upon us. Or say they strike us,
Or scant our former having in despite.
Why, we have galls, and though we have some grace,
Yet have we some revenge. Let husbands know
Their wives have sense like them. They see, and smell,
And have their palates both for sweet and sour,
As husbands have. What is it that they do
When they change us for others? Is it sport?
I think it is. And doth affection breed it?
I think it doth. Is ‘t frailty that thus errs?
It is too. And have not we affections,
Desires for sport, and frailty, as men have?
Then let them use us well. Else let them know,
The ills we do, their ills instruct us so.]
Question:
1.
Critically analyze this passage from Othello. In paragraph form explain the significance of the
passage. Be sure to give details surrounding themes, plot development as relates to the scene
itself, and social commentary surrounding the passage (what does this mean on a grander
social scale).
This is a quotation from Act 4 Scene 3 where Emilia discusses the role of women in society
with Desdemona. Emilia says that women are equal in many ways to men. She says that
women have the ‘frailty’ and desire for ‘sport’ that men have thus discussing that women have
the same sorts of desires for other men as men have for other women. In this scene
Desdemona says that she will be loyal to Othello no matter the situation and she holds true to
this until the end of the play. In response, Emilia says she doesn’t want to cheat on Iago, but
that if the situation were correct she would not be opposed to it when she states that, “wives
do fail,” and that they, “pour their treasures onto foreign laps,” Emilia agues earlier that this is
necessary to gain an advantage for their husbands in the future. Overall, this passage
demonstrates the will of women to not always do as their husbands tell them and that they
should be held to a higher esteem in society.
Part 3: Long Answer Question (12 marks Communication, 12, Marks Application 12)
1.
In paragraph form, answer the following question making reference to specific scenes,
characters, and moments in the play.
Discuss the role of reputation and its significance to play. Analyze how this theme drives the
plot of the play, and how specific characters engage with it. Lastly, as a high school student,
relate your answer and the play to your overall feeling of importance of reputation in today’s
society.
Answers will vary, but be approximately two paragraphs in length and discuss at between 2
and 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.
Specific examples and good communication skills as well as overall analysis of the play is
necessary here for a level 4.