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English p1 > Othello Scene summaries > Flashcards

Othello Scene summaries Flashcards

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1
Q

1.1 At what time of day does the scene take place and why is this significant?

A

Night- associated with Iago’s evil progress: Cassio loses job at night, is wounded in the street at night, Emilia and Desdemona are killed at night. Darkness to conceal Iago’s plotting.

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2
Q

1.1 What does Roderigo want and how will he achieve this?

A

To marry Desdemona; he is paying Iago to make it happen- Iago will sabotage Desdemona and Othello’s marriage.

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3
Q

1.1 What does Iago do in order to sabotage D and O?

A

Inform Brabantio about D and O’s secret marriage.

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4
Q

1.1 How does Brabantio react to Iago’s taunts and why?

A

He sets out to find Othello; because Othello is black. He also states that he wishes D had married R- despite previously condemning this proposal.

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5
Q

Summarise what happens in 1.1

A

Iago and Roderigo wake Brabantio to inform him of Othello’s marriage to Desdemona. Brabantio is outraged and seeks to find Othello.

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6
Q

1.2 What does Iago tell Othello at the beginning of the scene?

A

That Roderigo has been spreading false reports of Othello’s behaviour, and that Iago is appalled at this

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7
Q

1.2 What does Iago ask Othello in regard to Desdemona?

A

Whether they’ve consummated the marriage. Othello replies evasively.

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8
Q

1.2 Why doesn’t Othello fear Brabantio?

A

He believes that his reputation will speak for him.

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9
Q

1.2 What news does Cassio bring?

A

There has been a war broken out in Cyprus and Othello will likely be needed.

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10
Q

1.2 What does Brabantio accuse Othello of and what does he do as a result?

A

Stealing his daughter, arrests him.

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11
Q

SUmmarise wha happens in 1.2

A

Iago tells Othello that Roderigo has been bad-mouthing him to Brabantio. Cassio arrives with news of war in Cyprus, and Brabantio arrives to arrest Othello.

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12
Q

1.3 How is Othello regarded by the Duke and the Senate?

A

Highly- he’s well-respected in a military sphere; he’s NEEDED by the army to defeat the Turks; Furthered since Brabantio is acknowledged after Othello (less important)

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13
Q

1.3 What does Brabantio tell the Senate and how do they react?

A

That his daughter has been stolen by witchcraft; Senate immediately condemn but later are more sympathetic once they realise Othello is the accused.

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14
Q

1.3 How does Othello redeem the situation with Desdemona

A

Speaks briefly about their love story in ‘Othello music’ and suggests they send for Desdemona to get her testimony. He then gives the senate the whole story and Desdemona supports it.

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15
Q

1.3 How does Desdemona defy her father?

A

Is in support of Othello, stating that her duty is now with her husband, not her father. Also speaking out defies her supposed gentle, timid nature.

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16
Q

1.3 Where do the senate tell Othello that he must go?

A

To Cyprus to defeat the Turks, and he decides to bring Desdemona with him.

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17
Q

1.3 What does Iago tell Roderigo to reassure him about the situation?

A

Plays on stereotypes of Venetian women and their sexuality- stating that she will tire of Othello.

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18
Q

1.3 What does Iago reveal his motives are?

A

Othello promoted Cassio- rather than Iago- to deputy. He also believes Othello slept with his wife. He reveals his plan to plant the idea that Desdemona is having an affair.

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19
Q

Summarise what happens in 1.3

A

They arrive at the Senate and the Duke expresses their need for Othello, only later noticing Brabantio. Brabantio brings up the situation with Desdemona, and Othello testifies. When Desdemona arrives, she swears loyalty to her husband over her father and agrees to go to Cyprus with him. The scene ends with Iago stating his plan to imply Desdemona is having an affair.

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20
Q

2.1 How does the scene open? What is the significance?

A

In chaos- a storm is full fledged and boats arrive individually; the Turks are nowhere to be seen, but neither is Othello. Significant since it immediately associates Cyprus with chaos. Fears around Othello also reinforce Othello’s military importance.

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21
Q

2.1 When Desdemona arrives, what does Cassio do?

A

Demand respect for her; gets everyone to kneel, and then greets her friendlily.

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22
Q

2.1 What does Desdemona do in her conversation with Iago about women?

A

Defies his traditional ideals, and goes against idea that she’s passive. Defends Emilia.

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23
Q

2.1 When Othello arrives, what does he do?

A

Immediately greets Desdemona, they speak about their love for each other and their satisfaction in this state.

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24
Q

2.1 What does Iago tell Roderigo to reassure him, and what does he tell Roderigo to do?

A

He tells him that Desdemona and Cassio are in love, and tells Roderigo to provoke Cassio’s temper; reveals his plot to make Othello jealous.

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25
Summarise what happens in 2.1.
The scene opens in storm, and while everyone awaits Othello's arrival Desdemona and Iago argue over his views on women. Othello arrives and speaks fondly to Desdemona, and Cassio reveals his plot to make it seem as though Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair.
26
2.2 What is announced in this short scene?
The Turkish fleet has been destroyed and Othello wants everyone to celebrate- doubles celebration with a wedding feast.
27
2.3 What does Othello put Cassio in charge of? What is Othello doing instead?
Ensuring that the celebrations don't get too out of hand. Othello takes Desdemona to bed.
28
2.3 What does Iago to provoke Cassio to admit, and what does he encourage him to do?
That he finds Desdemona to be attractive; also that he has a poor head for drink. Iago encourages him to drink.
29
2.3 What does Iago reveal that his plan is?
To get Cassio into a drunken brawl.
30
2.3 What does Iago tell Montano about Cassio?
Cassio frequently gets drunk, and Othello has misplaced his trust. Montano should inform Othello of this.
31
2.3 What does Roderigo do to set up Cassio?
Provokes a fight and sounds an alarm.
32
2.3 What happens when Othello arrives to the scene?
The fight is broken up. No one speaks in favour of Cassio, and so Othello dismisses Cassio from his position. Cassio has now lost his reputation.
33
2.3 How does Iago suggest Cassio should redeem his position?
By appealing to Desdemona to help him to regain status.
34
Summarise what happens in 2.3
Iago gets Cassio drunk and sets him up to fight Rodrigo. Othello enters and restores calm, and fires Cassio. Iago tells Cassio to go about regaining his status by appealing to Desdemona.
35
3.1 What does Cassio get for Othello and Desdemona?
Musicians; the clown calls them bad, makes a dirty joke about the instrument.
36
3.1 What does Emilia tell Cassio?
That Desdemona is sticking up for him and that Othello wants to reinstate him when the time is right.
37
3.2 Significance of this short scene?
Reminds us of Othello's importance and commanding power.
38
3.3 What does Iago suggest is strange at the opening of the scene?
That Cassio left the scene immediately when Iago and Othello arrived; he'd previously been speaking to Desdemona.
39
3.3 What does Desdemona reveal about Othello's courtship of her?
Cassio helped Othello to woo her.
40
3.3 What does Iago ask Othello for more information about, and what is his intention?
Cassio's role in wooing Desdemona. He intends to plant seeds of doubt in Othello's mind about Desdemona.
41
3.3 What does Iago warn Othello of?
Jealousy, and Desdemona's deceit (eg. defying her father)
42
3.3 How does Othello react to this?
He demands evidence for this claim, and states that he is not worried, but asks Iago to get Emilia to keep an eye on her.
43
3.3 What does Desdemona do with Othello's handkerchief? What happens to it after this?
Drops it. Emilia picks it up to give it to Iago.
44
3.3 When Othello re-enters the scene, what happens?
He admits he can't stop thinking about what Iago has told him, and Iago says he's seen Cassio with Othello's handkerchief.
45
Summarise what happens in 3.3
It's revealed that Cassio helped Othello to court Desdemona, ad Iago begins to plant the seeds of jealousy in Othello's mind. Desdemona drops Othello's handkerchief and Emilia picks it up to give to Iago. Iago then tells Othello he has seen Cassio with the handkerchief.
46
3.4 What does Othello ask Desdemona for?
His handkerchief, which she realises she's lost.
47
3.4 How does Desdemona respond?
That she's lost it, and pushes back against Othello about Cassio.
48
3.4 What does Othello claim is important about the handkerchief?
It has magical properties which helped him get Desdemona.
49
3.4 What does Cassio give Bianca at the end of the scene?
The handkerchief, which Iago planted in his quarters.
50
Summarise what happens in 3.4
Desdemona and Othello quarrel over her having lost the handkerchief, and her determination for Othello to reinstate Cassio. At the end of the scene, Cassio gives the handkerchief to Bainca.
51
4.1 What causes Othello's fit?
Iago claiming he's heard Cassio boast about sleeping with Desdemona.
52
4.1 Why does Iago tell Othello to hide?
He wants to question Cassio and incriminate him; Othello hides in the cupboard.
53
4.1 What does Bianca accuse Cassio of and what does Othello infer from this?
Infidelity; that she has his handkerchief is Othello's 'ocular proof' of Desdemona and Cassio sleeping together.
54
4.1 What do Othello and Iago plan to do as a result of this 'ocular proof'?
Kill Cassio and strangle Desdemona in bed.
55
4.1 What does Othello do to Desdemona after this plan is set?
Strikes her and calls her a devil. He then demonstrates her subservience to him in a derogatory way.
56
Summarise what happens in 4.1
Othello has a fit over the thought of Desdemona betraying him, and then hides in the cupboard while Cassio questions Cassio. Bianca enters, inciting an argument with Cassio about his infidelity, and giving him back the handkerchief. After seeing this, Othello and Iago plan to kill Cassio and Desdemona. When Othello encounters her, he strikes her and speaks to her in a very derogatory way.
57
4.2 What does Emilia swear?
That Desdemona is honest- on her life.
58
4.2 Which Christian belief does Desdemona swear on?
Keeping her body pure for her husband; Othello cries.
59
4.2 What does Desdemona instruct Emilia to put on her bed?
Her wedding sheets.
60
4.2 Why does Emilia believe Othello has turned on Desdemona?
She believes someone has abused her to him.
61
4.2 What does Roderigo threaten Iago with and how does Iago respond?
He threatens to withdraw money and inform Desdemona of Iago's plot. Iago persuades Roderigo to kill Cassio
62
Summarise what happens in 4.2
Emilia swears on her life that Desdemona is honest, and Desdemona affirms that she is keeping her body pure for her husband. Desdemona then instructs Emilia to put her wedding sheets on her bed, and in conversation with Iago and Emilia, Emilia states that she thinks that someone has abused her to him. At the end of the scene, Roderigo threatens to withdraw money, but instead is roped into killing Cassio.
63
4.3 What does Desdemona ask of Emilia at the beginning of the scene?
To be shrouded i her wedding sheets if she dies first.
64
4.3 What did Desdemona's mother's maid sing about?
Disappointment in love as she died; willow song.
65
4.3 What does Emilia claim the downfall of women is due to?
Their husbands.
66
Summarise what happens in 4.3
Desdemona asks to be shrouded in her wedding sheets if she dies before Emilia. They have a conversation about marriage; Desdemona's mother's maid died singing about disappointment in love, and Desdemona doesn't believe that any woman would deceive or hurt their husband as husbands do. Emilia says that she would, to ennoble him, but that ultimately men are responsible for failures in marriage.
67
5.1 Who does Iago tell the audience he wants to die?
Either Roderigo or Cassio; both would be to his benefit.
68
5.1 What role does Iago play in Cassio and Roderigo's fight?
He wounds Cassio and kills Roderigo in the darkness and chaos.
69
5.1 What does Othello believe when he sees Cassio wounded?
Iago has killed him; he then prepares to kill Desdemona, unknowing that Cassio is only wounded.
70
5.1 What role does Bianca play in the fight scene?
She is incriminated for Cassio's injury by Iago, and tries to counter the idea that she's a prostitute.
71
Sumamrise what happens in 5.1
Roderigo attacks Cassio, and they have a brawl in which Iago sneakily wounds Cassio and kills Roderigo. Othello sees and thinks that Cassio is dead, so prepares to kill Desdemona, and Bianca is slut-shamed and incriminated for Casio's injury.
72
5.2 What reason does Othello give for needing to kill Desdemna?
To achieve justice and prevent her from hurting more men.
73
5.2 What does Othello ensure before he kills Desdemona?
That she has prayed, and that her head is clear of sin- he doesn't want her to go to hell.
74
5.2 What does Othello find out about the fight in 5.1 from Emilia?
Rodrigo, not Cassio, has been killed.
75
5.2 What does Desdemona say when she wakes up?
That it is her fault- not Othello's- that she is dead.
76
5.2 What does Othello admit once Desdemona has died?
That it is him who killed her, since she is a sinner and a whore.
77
5.2 What does Emilia realise when Othello says that it is Iago who informed him of Desdemona's infidelity?
That Iago has orchestrated Desdemona's death and that they have all been deceived.
78
5.2 What admission leads Iago to stab Emilia?
That it is she who found Desdemona's handkerchief and Iago who caused the chaos.
79
5.2 What does Emilia die doing?
Praising Desdemona's virtue.
80
5.2 How does Othello urge people to remember him?
As a valiant warrior, and all the good virtues he holds.
81
Sumamrise what happens in 5.2
Othello justifies killing Desdemona and ensures that she has prayed, as he doesn't want her to go to Hell. She begs for mercy; banishment not death, and he smothers and kills her. Emilia enters and reveals that Cassio is not dead, Roderigo is, and realises that Iago has orchestrated a plan to kill Desdemona. She admits to taking the handkerchief, and Iago stabs her, and Othello finally has an anagnorisis. He begs for people to remember him well, and kills himself. Iago is arrested.

English p1 (4 decks)

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