Act 2 Extra Points

Question 1

How is Cyprus-an isle removed from the social and political sense of Venice-described?

Answer 1

as a “warlike isle”

Question 2

Act 2 Scene 1 opens with a storm; what does this storm foreshadow?

Answer 2

this foreshadows the passions that will be unleashed in this new setting, and more specifically the storm which Iago will unleash in Othello’s mind.

Question 3

What is the purpose of Shakespeare’s use of the storm?

Answer 3

To dispose of the external Turkish threat to the narrative, in order to replace it with the internal threat of Iago

Question 4

How does scene 1 mirror Act 1?

Answer 4

as the characters in Cyprus are cannot see clearly what is happening and are full of fear; enabling Shakespeare to mirror the confusion of Act 1 Scene 1

Question 5

Why is it ironic that at the same moment of the storm, Montano voices his concern for “the warlike Moor”? in scene 1

Answer 5

as ironically, Othello, who is looked upon as Cyprus’s saviour will prove as destructive as any tempest

Question 6

Symbolically what can be suggested from the fact that Iago arrives in Cyprus before Othello in scene 1 ?

Answer 6

as this places him in the position of power in this new setting

Question 7

Why is Cyprus a fitting-and ironic- setting for a tragedy about love?

Answer 7

as this was where the goddess of love was thought to have risen from the sea

Question 8

How is it indicated that Iago, the villain will triumph in the tragedy?

Answer 8

because a soliloquy by Iago closes the scene by which Othello has just arrived in Cyprus

Question 9

What attributes dominate Iago’s soliloquy in scene 1?

Answer 9

a personal and professional jealousy

Question 10

How does Cassio mock Iago in scene 1?(quote)

Answer 10

“you may relish him more in the solider than in the scholar”

Question 11

How does Iago’s presence cast a dark shadow over the reunion between Othello and Desdemona in Scene 1?

Answer 11

as his asides undermine the couple’s joy

Question 12

What do Iago’s asides provide in Act 1?

Answer 12

an alarming running commentary which the audience know the characters should fear

Question 13

Why is it ironic that Cassio mocks Iago? explain + quote

Answer 13

as we know that it is his social and professional inferior who is in control and will spin a ‘web’ to ‘ensnare as great a fly as Cassio’

Question 14

Why does the setting of Cyprus allow the Shakespearean audience to identity the island as a place of danger and isolation?

Answer 14

as there were continuous wars between Christian and Muslims for control of the Mediterranean during the Renaissance

Question 15

What part of the play parallels Iago’s statement in scene 1 that he can only stand a quiet woman who will “ne’er disclose her mind”?

Answer 15

in Act 5 when he stabs Emilia in the back for exposing his stratagem.

Question 16

What evidence is there within Act 1 and Act 2 which indicates that Iago does not attribute the heroine as possessing any real worth?

Answer 16

the fact that he earlier described Desdemona as a “land carrack” in Act 1 and instigated an impudent chat with Cassio in Act 2 scene 3 which demonstrates that Desdemona’s and Othello’s marriage is so inexplicable that it must be dismissed as lust

Question 17

How does Othello address Desdemona upon arrival in scene 1?

Answer 17

as a “fair warrior”

Question 18

What does the Herald’s joyful proclamation do in the opening of scene 2?

Answer 18

this marks the return to civil order

Question 19

Why is it ironic that scene 2 opens with the Herald’s joyful proclamation, marking the return of civli order?

Answer 19

as by scene 3, Cyprus will become the location of drunken street fighting

Question 20

What theme dominates scene 3 ?

Answer 20

reputation

Question 21

Who and how do two characters lose control and diminish their reputations in scene 3?

Answer 21

Cassio ruins his in a drunken brawl

Othello undermines his reputation as a cool-headed commander by losing his temper

Question 22

In contrast to Cassio and Othello, how does Iago enhance his reputation in scene 3 as an honest and conscientious solider?

Answer 22

through being masterful at self control and the control of others, for example Rodrigo’s actions and Cassio’s drinking

Question 23

By destroying Desdemona’s reputation, what would Iago be able to destroy?

Answer 23

Othello’s sanity, marriage and honour

Question 24

How are the audience aware that Desdemona and Othello’s love is not secure?

Answer 24

as the consummation of their marriage is interrupted by brawling and degraded by Iago’s coarse discussion with Cassio about Desdemona
“The purchase made, the fruits are to ensue”

Question 25

How does Iago focus on Desdemona’s sexuality in scene 3?

Answer 25

he names her a “sport for Jove” and “full of games”

Question 26

What is the significance of the fact that in scene 3 Iago presents Desdemona as a “sport for Jove” and “full of games” yet Cassio describes her attractions as “fresh and delicate”

Answer 26

As Shakespeare presents these two versions of Desdemona to foreshadow the choice Othello will have to make

Question 27

How does Iago describe Othello’s love for Desdemona?

Answer 27

that he is “so enfettered to her love” (restrained and shackled) suggesting that he believes that love is weakness.

Question 28

Why can Iago be described as a stage director of Act 2 scene 3?

Answer 28

as he skilfully manages a large cast of characters and events which he has set in motion while also playing a convincing actor; changing roles in order to manipulate his vicitms

Question 29

How is Roderigo Iago’s first victim? (explain + quote)

Answer 29

as he begins the play as a wealthy landowner but has by the end of Act 2, been “exceedingly well cudgelled” (stick used as a weapon), used by Iago to augment the tragedy.

Question 30

What does Iago reveal he will do to Othello in scene 3?

Answer 30

“pour pestilence into his ear”

Question 31

What can be said from the fact that in his soliloquy, Iago reveals that he will “pour pestilence into his ear”?

Answer 31

the imagery of poison fits his role as a Machiavellian, using a definite statement to reflect his confidence in his powers of verbal persuasion. This power can be suggested from the fact that the sentence structure hints Othello will be a passive recipient to the “pestilence.” The sound patterning (alteration of the ‘p’ and sibilance of ‘s’) used in this line about poisoning adds emphasis and intensity to Iago’s okay, heightening the tension for the audience.

Question 32

Othello and Desdemona’s meeting in scene 1 reveals what?

Answer 32

the intensity and sincerity of their mutual affection; in addition to their assured sexual attraction

Question 33

In Act 2 scene 3 how does Iago act with Cassio?

Answer 33

as coarse and genial offering plausible, practical advice

Question 34

What does Iago make Othello believe by resisting to admit Cassio’s drunkenness?

Answer 34

that he is loyal ,conscientious and noble minded; his show of reluctance is devastatingly effective.

Question 35

What is the quote which foreshadows the whole play in scene 3 by Iago?

Answer 35

“out of her goodness [he will] make the net/That shall enmesh them all”

Question 36

explore

“out of her goodness [he will] make the net/That shall enmesh them all”

Answer 36

the imagery suggests that Iago is setting a trap for his prey and indicates that he has contempt for innocence and goodness. Iago’s intended exploitation of her goodness prepares us for his abuse of the other female characters, Emilia and Bianca, later in the play.

Question 37

How does Cassio parallel Othello in scene 3?

Answer 37

as Cassio is inexperienced as solider, becoming drunk and violent while he should be keeping order and discipline- this compares to Othello’s inexperience as a lover.

Question 38

What is a sign of Cassio’s worthiness in scene 3?

Answer 38

the fact that he feels deeply ashamed of his part in the drunken brawl

Question 39

What is a dramatic difference between Cassio and Othello?

Answer 39

While Cassio is an educated Florentine gentleman, a cultural insider, Othello due to his race is a cultural outsider. Florence has a common reputation as a city of culture, so unlike his general, he os a social sophisticate

Question 40

Why does Iago want revenge on both Cassio and Othello?

Answer 40

he claims that both have slept with Emilia, giving him movie against both men. Both men are exploited and their frailties played on

Question 41

The audience can see that Cassio’s praise of Desdemona is innocent and sincere however his gentlemanly exterior seems to conceal some unsavoury qualities, when?

Answer 41

when he interacts with Bianca; his treatment of his mistress is often callous. While he shows her some affection, he refers to her contemptuously as a”fitchew” (Polecats) which were known as smelly and lecherous, suggesting that this is a very abusive term.

Question 42

To shakespearean audiences, Cassio’s casual liaison with a courtesan would not have been enough to detract from his qualities. What must be remember from Cassio’s life that Iago detests so much as a “demi- devil”

Answer 42

his “daily beauty”, and so his worthiness outweights his weakness.

Question 43

“O, I have lost my reputation, I have ____ __ _______ ____ ___ _____”

Answer 43

lost the immortal part of myself

Question 44

explore “O, I have lost my reputation, I have lost the immortal part of myself”

Answer 44

Cassio’s obsession with his reputation mirrors Othello’s obsession and his sorrow foreshadows Othello’s misery when he thinks he has lost Desdemona’s love.

Question 45

Iago believes that “the lusty Moor/Hath leaped into my seat” what does this suggest about his sexual jealousy?

Answer 45

that he is prompted by competitiveness as well as possessiveness

Question 46

Iago tells Cassio “ Our general’s wife is now the general” what does this suggest?

Answer 46

that Iago both loathes and fears women. Part of his contempt for Othello is clearly located in his fear that Desdemona has power. We know from this mocking reference that her female influence is a power in which he refutes to be reality. He loathes the idea of a man being in thrall to a woman, believing that Othello is weakened and trapped by love.