Act 1

Question 1

Quote: Iago admitting he is deceptive and selfish.

Answer 1

“In following him, I follow but myself.”

Question 2

Quote: Iago’s language is full of disease and poison.

Answer 2

“poison his delight”.
“plague him with flies”

This suggests a darker purpose.

Question 3

Quote: Iago’s appearance v what he is really like.

Answer 3

“I am not what I am”

This shows his mysterious nature and unwillingness to share his true thoughts.

Question 4

Quote: Iago maintaining an appearance of loyalty to Othello.

Answer 4

“I must show out a flag and sign of love”

Question 5

Quote: Iago manipulating Brabantio.

Answer 5

Iago uses language to manipulate Brabantio, by identifying his fears and preying on them - he repeats “thieves” four times (lines 80-82) to encourage Brabantio to believe Othello has stolen his daughter - he also uses bestial, sexual language to exaggerate the sinfulness of the marriage.

Question 6

Quote: How does Iago refer to Cassio’s abilities?

Answer 6

He says he has no more knowledge of war than “a spinster”.

Question 7

Quote: Iago describing Desdemona and Othello’s marriage.

Answer 7

Iago says Desdemona and Othello are “making the beast with two backs”.
Iago’s references to sex involve animal imagery - he makes their marriage seem unnatural and sinful.

Question 8

Quote: Racist language towards Othello.

Answer 8

Roderigo calls him “thick-lips”.
He’s called a “devil”and a “lascivious Moor”.
This shows how Othello is defined by his race, unlike the other white characters.

Question 9

Quote: Iago’s changing nature and loyalties.

Answer 9

“Come, sir, I am for you.”

Shows Iago’s loyalty to Othello by reversing his alliances. He calls Othello “sir” and threatens to attack Roderigo:

Question 10

What does Iago associate with that emphasises his two-faced nature?

Answer 10

Janus, a two-faced Roman god.

Question 11

Quote: How is Othello described by Brabantio?

Answer 11

“loving his own pride and purposes.”

Question 12

Quote: How does Othello describe himself?

Answer 12

As having a “perfect soul.”

Question 13

Quote: What humiliating terms are used to describe Othello?

Answer 13

“thing” “old black ram.”

Question 14

Quote: How does Othello describe his feelings for Desdemona?

Answer 14

“I love the gentle Desdemona.”

Question 15

Quote: At the beginning of the play, how is imagery of battle used to show Othello is noble?

Answer 15

“Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them.”

Question 16

Quote: How is Othello described as immoral?

Answer 16

He is called a “foul thief” using “foul charms”by Brabantio.

Question 17

What is Othello’s language like during Act 1?

Answer 17

Eloquent.

Question 18

Quote: What racist language does Brabantio use towards Othello?

Answer 18

He describes Othello’s “sooty bosom,” and dehumanises him by calling him a “thing.”

Question 19

Quote: What does Brabantio accuse Othello of using to win Desdemona’s love?

Answer 19

“chains of magic” to force her into marriage. By using language of witchcraft, he shows he can’t imagine she would marry Othello through her own choice.

Question 20

Quote: How does Brabantio believe Desdemona should think of Othello?

Answer 20

He thinks that Desdemona should “fear” Othello, rather than “delight” in him.

Question 21

Quote: What is the rhyming couplet at the end of Act 1, Scene 1?

Answer 21

“For if such actions may have passage free // Bond-slaves and pagans shall our statesmen be”

Question 22

What does the rhyming couplet at the end of the scene show?

Answer 22

It emphasises Brabantio’s view that Othello’s marriage to Desdemona has turned the world upside down as “bond-slaves” shall become “statesmen.”

Question 23

Quote: How does Brabantio foreshadow what will happen later on in the play?

Answer 23

He warns Othello: “She has deceived her father, and may thee.”

Question 24

When does Iago later echo Brabantio’s claims of deception?

Answer 24

Act 3, Scene 3

Question 25

Quote: Iago echoing Brabantio’s claims of deception?

Answer 25

“She did deceive her father, marrying you.”

Question 26

Quote: Othello’s ironic comment regarding Desdemona’s fidelity.

Answer 26

“My life upon her faith!”

Question 27

Quote: How does Brabantio see Desdemona as his property?

Answer 27

Brabantio sees Desdemona as his property - describing her as a “jewel.” He echos Iago’s accusation that Othello is a thief by saying that she has been “stolen” from him.

Question 28

Quote: What role did Desdemona play at the beginning of their relationship?

Answer 28

“half the wooer” and that their relationship is based on equal affection rather than lust.

Question 29

Quote: Although she pledges her “…” to Othello…

Answer 29

Desdemona pledges her “duty” to Othello, but she also has a say in their relationship, as shown when she demands to be allowed to go with Othello to Cyprus.

Question 30

Quote: Iago accuses Othello of being fickle.

Answer 30

“These moors are changeable in their wills.” He doesn’t believe their love can last.

Question 31

Quote: What does Iago believe is the only thing holding together their marriage?

Answer 31

He tells Roderigo that the only things keeping them together are “sanctimony and a frail vow.”

Question 32

Quote: How does the Duke defend their marriage?

Answer 32

“I think this tale would win my daughter too”

Question 33

Quote: How does the Duke refer to Othello?

Answer 33

He calls him “Valiant” and “fair.”

Question 34

Quote: How does Iago describe Othello?

Answer 34

Iago describes Othello as a “barbarian.” This could refer to where Othello is from, but it also suggests savagery. It links to Iago’s comparison of Othello to a “Barbary horse.”

Question 35

Quote: How does Brabantio think Desdemona should have thought about Othello’s race?

Answer 35

Brabantio thinks Desdemona should have “feared to look on” Othello because of his race, and that their love is “against all rules of nature.”

Question 36

Quote: What does Brabantio believed possessed his daughter into marrying Othello?

Answer 36

That only “practices of cunning hell” would convince a white woman to fall in love with a black man.

Question 37

Quote: How did Othello win Desdemona’s love?

Answer 37

The only “witchcraft” Othello used was to tell the story of his life. This challenges the stereotypes that would have been held by Shakespeare’s audience.

Question 38

Quote: Emilia highlighting the race stereotypes the audience would have believed.

Answer 38

In Elizabethan times, blackness was associated with evil - later, Emilia shows this when she calls Othello “the blacker devil!” However, in this scene, the Duke praises Othello by highlighting his nobility to show that Brabantio’s racial prejudices are unjustified.

Question 39

Quote: How did Desdemona listen to Othello’s tales of war?

Answer 39

She listened to them with a “greedy ear.”

Question 40

Quote: Desdemona wanting to be involved with Othello’s military life.

Answer 40

She wants to be part of his military career, requesting to go to Cyprus with him and refuses to be a “moth of peace.” The inclusion of war within their marriage foreshadows future turmoil.

Question 41

Quote: Iago believing that Cassio has slept with Emilia.

Answer 41

“twixt my sheets // He’s done my office.”

Question 42

What are Iago’s two main motives for his plotting?

Answer 42

He is jealous of Cassio and Othello, but also enjoys it.

Question 43

Quote: How does Iago show he enjoys his plotting?

Answer 43

He calls it a “sport”.

Question 44

Quote: Iago referring to his plan as a birth

Answer 44

“There are many events in the womb of time, which will be delivered.” In his soliloquy, Iago describes his plan as something that is “engendered” and talks about its “monstrous birth.” Iago twists the language of birth and new life to talk about something deadly. What will be “delivered” won’t be positive, but instead will be a plan for death and destruction.

Question 45

Quote: Iago’s hellish language.

Answer 45

He talks about “Hell and night” and says he will use “all the tribe of hell,” which associates Iago with dark forces.

Question 46

Quote for Othello’s honesty.

Answer 46

Iago admits is of a “free and open nature.”

Question 47

Quote: What word does Othello use to describe Iago?

Answer 47

“honest” - Iago reveals he plans to take advantage of Othello’s trusting nature.

Question 48

Quote: How does Iago use animalistic language to describe Othello?

Answer 48

He compares men like Othello to “asses” as they can be easily led - this use of animalistic language dehumanises Othello.

Question 49

Where does this Act open?

Answer 49

Venice - there is tension in the air.

Question 50

How does the play open?

Answer 50

The scene begins mid-conversation and the audience are unclear about what Roderigo and Iago are discussing - this sets a tone of confusion and conflict for the rest of the play, reinforced by the use of critical and crude language that they use to describe Othello.

Question 51

What is significant about the opening setting being at night?

Answer 51

The uncertainty is emphasised by the action taking place at night - Iago tells Roderigo to “rouse” Brabantio from his sleep - links to darkness could be seen as a metaphor for a lack of seeing - this becomes a theme in the play as characters struggle to distinguish appearance from reality.

Question 52

What does the tense atmosphere at the beginning show?

Answer 52

Very tense atmosphere within this scene - foreshadows the major disputes later in the play. Also shows how Iago is skilled in creating disorder and taking advantage of situations.