Desdemona

Question 1

In Act 2, Scene 1, what dramatically ironic proclaim does Desdemona make upon being reunited with Othello?

Answer 1

“The heavens forbid but that our loves and comforts should increase, even as our days do grow!”

Question 2

In Act 3, Scene 3, how does Desdemona assure Cassio that she will won’t relent from trying to reinstate his favour with Othello?

Answer 2

“If I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it to the last article: my lord shall never rest”

Question 3

In Act 5, Scene 2, what does Desdemona respond when Emilia asks who has murdered her?

Answer 3

“Nobody; I myself”

Question 4

In Act 5, Scene 2, how does Desdemona plead with Othello to let her live?

Answer 4

“Kill me tomorrow, but let me live tonight!”

Question 5

In Act 5, Scene 2, how does Desdemona respond to Othello’s accusations that she is having an affair with Cassio? (2 Examples)

Answer 5

• “No, by my life and soul! Send for the man, and ask him”
• “He found it then; I never gave it to him: send for him hither, let him confess a truth”

Question 6

In Act 4, Scene 3, what does Desdemona respond when asked by Emilia if she’d ever be unfaithful?

Answer 6

“No, by this heavenly light!”

Question 7

In Act 4, Scene 2, how does Desdemona beg Iago to help her repair her relationship with Othello?

Answer 7

“Here I kneel…”

Question 8

In Act 4, Scene 2, what does Desdemona remark Othello’s unkindness may do to Iago?

Answer 8

“His unkindness may defeat my life, but never taint my love”

Question 9

In Act 1, Scene 3, how does Desdemona express her divided loyalty to her father and to Othello?

Answer 9

“I do perceive here a divided duty”

Question 10

In Act 3, Scene 4, how does Desdemona fail to recognise Othello’s jealousy?

Answer 10

“My noble Moor is true of mind and made of no such baseness as jealous creatures are”

Question 11

In Act 3, Scene 4, how does Desdemona express surprise at Othello’s frustrated manner?

Answer 11

“Why do you speak so startingly and rash?”

Question 12

In Act 3, Scene 4, how does Desdemona antagonise Othello through her relentless mentions of Cassio? (2 Examples)

Answer 12

• “Talk me of Cassio”
• “Let Cassio be received again”

Question 13

In Act 3, Scene 4, how does Desdemona acknowledge Othello’s change in behaviour?

Answer 13

“My lord is not my lord”

Question 14

In Act 4, Scene 2, how does Desdemona express her lack of understanding as to why Othello is frustrated?

Answer 14

“I understand a fury in your words, but not the words”

Question 15

In Act 4, Scene 2, how does Desdemona demonstrate her loyalty to Othello in regards to her father?

Answer 15

“If you have lost him, why, I have lost him too”

Question 16

In Act 4, Scene 2, how does Desdemona deny Othello’s accusations she is unfaithful? (3 Examples)

Answer 16

• “By heaven, you do me wrong!”
• “No, as I am Christian”
• “Be not to be a strumpet, I am none”

Question 17

In Act 4, Scene 3, how does Desdemona foreshadow her death when speaking to Emilia?

Answer 17

“If I do die before three prithee, shroud me in one of those same sheets”

Question 18

In Act 4, Scene 3, how does Desdemona express her inability to comprehend women being unfaithful?

Answer 18

“Tell me, Emilia, that there be women do abuse their husbands in such gross kind?”

Question 19

In Act 3, Scene 3, what simile does Desdemona use to express her relentless urging of Othello to reinstate Cassio?

Answer 19

“His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift”