Othello (use these ones)

Question 1

Who is Iago in relation to Othello?

Answer 1

A soldier under Othello who feels bitter for being passed over for promotion.

Question 2

What motivates Iago to conspire against Othello?

Answer 2

His resentment for being passed over for promotion in favor of Michael Cassio.

Question 3

What does Brabantio accuse Othello of when he learns about Desdemona’s marriage?

Answer 3

Using witchcraft to win Desdemona’s love.

Question 4

What does Desdemona claim about her love for Othello in front of the Venetian council?

Answer 4

She fell in love with him for his stories of bravery and hardship.

Question 5

What is the Duke’s decision regarding Othello’s marriage and military role?

Answer 5

He rules in Othello’s favor and sends him to Cyprus to defend Venice against the Turks.

Question 6

What event leads to the celebration in Cyprus?

Answer 6

The destruction of the Turkish fleet by a storm.

Question 7

What does Iago do to Cassio to initiate conflict?

Answer 7

He manipulates him into drunkenly fighting Roderigo.

Question 8

What advice does Iago give to Cassio to regain Othello’s favor?

Answer 8

To seek Desdemona’s help.

Question 9

How does Iago begin to manipulate Othello’s perception of Desdemona?

Answer 9

By suggesting that Desdemona and Cassio are too close.

Question 10

What item becomes the ‘ocular proof’ of Desdemona’s alleged infidelity?

Answer 10

Desdemona’s handkerchief, which Iago plants as evidence.

Question 11

What happens when Othello confronts Desdemona about her supposed infidelity?

Answer 11

She is unaware of why he is angry and remains steadfast in her innocence.

Question 12

What does Othello do to Desdemona in a fit of jealousy?

Answer 12

He smothers her to death.

Question 13

What does Emilia reveal before she is killed by Iago?

Answer 13

She exposes Iago’s treachery and confesses to stealing Desdemona’s handkerchief.

Question 14

What is Othello’s final act after realizing his mistake?

Answer 14

He takes his own life.

Question 15

What is a key theme highlighted in Othello’s story?

Answer 15

Jealousy and its destructive power.

Question 16

True or False: Iago’s manipulation is central to the play’s tragedy.

Answer 16

True.

Question 17

Fill in the blank: Othello’s identity as a ______ in Venetian society underscores themes of racism and outsider status.

Answer 17

Moor

Question 18

What are the key themes identified in Othello?

Answer 18

• Jealousy
• Manipulation
• Gender and Patriarchy
• Race and otherness

Question 19

What does Othello declare about his love for Desdemona before he dies?

Answer 19

He loved not wisely but too well.

Question 20

What is the setting of Act 1, Scene 1 of Othello?

Answer 20

Venice

Question 21

Who is the first character to appear in Othello?

Answer 21

Iago

Question 22

True or False: Othello is a Venetian general.

Answer 22

True

Question 23

What does Iago reveal to Roderigo in Act 1?

Answer 23

That he hates Othello.

Question 24

Who is Othello’s wife?

Answer 24

Desdemona

Question 25

Fill in the blank: Iago refers to Othello as a _____ in Act 1, Scene 3.

Answer 25

Moor

Question 26

Which character seeks revenge against Othello for promoting Cassio?

Answer 26

Iago

Question 27

What is the main conflict introduced in Act 1?

Answer 27

Iago's manipulation and jealousy.

Question 28

In Act 2, Scene 1, what news does Cassio bring?

Answer 28

That Othello is arriving.

Question 29

What item does Iago use to manipulate Othello's perception of Desdemona?

Answer 29

A handkerchief

Question 30

Who is the character that serves as a foil to Othello?

Answer 30

Iago

Question 31

What event occurs in Act 3, Scene 3 that significantly impacts Othello?

Answer 31

Iago plants the seeds of doubt about Desdemona's fidelity.

Question 32

Fill in the blank: Othello's tragic flaw is his _____ .

Answer 32

Jealousy

Question 33

What is the climax of the play?

Answer 33

Othello's confrontation with Desdemona and his decision to kill her.

Question 34

Who ultimately reveals Iago's treachery?

Answer 34

Emilia

Question 35

What theme is explored through the relationship between Othello and Iago?

Answer 35

Trust and betrayal.

Question 36

True or False: Othello kills himself in the end.

Answer 36

True

Question 37

What does Othello do after he learns the truth about Desdemona's fidelity?

Answer 37

He kills himself.

Question 38

What literary device is prominent in Iago's soliloquies?

Answer 38

Irony

Question 39

In which act does Desdemona lose the handkerchief?

Answer 39

Act 3

Question 40

Fill in the blank: The handkerchief symbolizes _____ in the play.

Answer 40

Love and fidelity

Question 41

Who is the character that represents innocence and loyalty?

Answer 41

Desdemona

Question 42

What role does Emilia play in the development of the plot?

Answer 42

She is Iago's wife and Desdemona's maid, revealing key truths.

Question 43

What does Othello call Desdemona when he believes she has betrayed him?

Answer 43

A strumpet

Question 44

In Act 5, what is Iago's fate?

Answer 44

He is arrested but does not face execution.

Question 45

Multiple Choice: What is the primary genre of Othello? A) Comedy B) Tragedy C) History

Answer 45

B) Tragedy

Question 46

Describe act 1.

Answer 46

The play begins in Venice, where Iago, a soldier under Othello, expresses his bitterness for being passed over for promotion in favour of Michael Cassio. Iago conspires with Roderigo, a wealthy suitor of Desdemona, Othello's wife, to ruin Othello. Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, is informed by Iago and Roderigo that Desdemona has secretly married Othello, the Moor general. Enraged, Brabantio accuses Othello of using witchcraft to win Desdemona's love. Othello defends his marriage before the Venetian court, explaining that Desdemona fell in love with him for his stories of bravery and hardship. Desdemona defends her love for Othello in front of the Venetian council. The Duke, recognising Othello's value as a military leader rules in Othello's favour, and sends him to Cyprus to defend Venice against the Turks. Desdemona joins him accompanied by Iago, who secretly plots to ruin Othello, vowing to exploit his trust.

Question 47

Describe act 2.

Answer 47

In Cyprus, the Turkish fleet is destroyed by a storm, and the characters celebrate, but the danger shifts to interpersonal conflict. Iago begins his scheme to destroy Othello. He manipulates Cassio into drunkenly fighting Roderigo, causing Othello to demote Cassio from his lieutenant position. Iago advises Cassio to seek Desdemona's help in regaining Othello's favour, knowing it will give the appearance of an inappropriate relationship. Cassio seeks Desdemona’s help to regain Othello's favour, and her innocent pleas play directly into Iago’s plan. Privately, Iago begins planting doubts in Othello's mind, suggesting that Desdemona and Cassio are too close, hinting at an inappropriate relationship between Cassio and Desdemona. Iago convinces Othello to view her kindness as evidence of infidelity, deepening his suspicions. This marks the beginning of Othello’s descent into jealousy.

Question 48

Describe act 3.

Answer 48

Iago continues to manipulate Othello by hinting at Desdemona's infidelity without providing direct proof, driving Othello into a state of paranoia. Iago arranges for Desdemona to innocently plead for Cassio, further fuelling Othello's jealousy. Iago’s wife, Emilia, unknowingly helps him by stealing Desdemona's handkerchief—a gift from Othello—which Iago plants as "evidence" of her affair with Cassio. Othello confronts Iago, demanding proof, and Iago feigns reluctance before “confirming” Desdemona’s betrayal. This handkerchief becomes the "ocular proof" Othello needs to believe Iago’s lies. Othello, tormented by the thought of her unfaithfulness, resolves to take revenge. This act highlights the fragile trust and manipulation within their relationships.

Question 49

Describe act 4.

Answer 49

Othello confronts Desdemona about her supposed infidelity, but she is unaware of why he is angry and remains steadfast in her innocence. Othello becomes increasingly enraged, publicly striking Desdemona. Meanwhile, Iago convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio, promising that it will help Roderigo win Desdemona. However, the attempt fails as Cassio wounds Roderigo instead. Iago secretly kills Roderigo to cover his tracks.

Question 50

Describe act 5.

Answer 50

In their bedroom, Othello, consumed by jealousy and rage, smothers Desdemona to death. Emilia arrives and exposes Iago’s treachery after finding Desdemona’s handkerchief. Horrified by what he has done, Othello realises his mistake too late. Iago kills Emilia to silence her, but his schemes are uncovered. Othello, overcome with guilt, takes his own life. Iago is arrested, but his ultimate fate remains ambiguous.