Act 2

Question 1

Where is Act 2 set?

Answer 1

Cyprus. The scene opens as the Venetian ships arrive.

Question 2

What order do the ships arrive in?

Answer 2

Cassio’s ship is first to arrive in Cyprus, then Iago and Desdemona join him. They wait for Othello.
Othello’s ship finally arrives and Desdemona is very relieved. They prepare a celebration.

Question 3

Quote: A description of Cyprus.

Answer 3

The main characters trail from their homes in peaceful, civilised Venice, to an unfamiliar “warlike isle.” Cyprus is a place of conflict and disorder.

Question 4

What is significant about the setting of Cyprus?

Answer 4

The characters are isolated in Cyprus, meaning Iago can prey on their weaknesses more easily. The island gives the rest of “Othello” a claustrophobic feeling - the characters are trapped.

Question 5

Why is the storm significant?

Answer 5

The storm is significant because it quickly gets rid of the threat of war by destroying the Turkish fleet.

Question 6

What is the convenience of the storm known as?

Answer 6

“deus ex machina” - the threat of war conveniently moves the main characters to Cyprus, and the destruction of the fleet allows the play to focus solely on the destruction of Othello and Desdemona’s marriage - “deus ex machina” is used to describe an unrealistic plot device that solves problems in the plot.

Question 7

Quote: How does the storm foreshadow future events?

Answer 7

Shakespeare tells the audience twice that the ships carrying Othello and Desdemona were “parted” by the storm. This anticipates that they will soon become permanently divided by Iago’s scheming.

Question 8

Quote: How does Cassio describe Desdemona?

Answer 8

“divine.”

Question 9

Quote: Desdemona’s lack of innocent when she flirts with Iago.

Answer 9

She understands Iago’s sexual innuendo and shows that she can be flirtatious, asking Iago “how wouldst thou praise me?”

Question 10

Quote: Desdemona’s innocence.

Answer 10

“maid, so tender” who’s “never bold.”

Question 11

Quote: Iago as a misogynist.

Answer 11

“you rise to play and go to bed to work.”

Question 12

Quote: Iago exploits Roderigo’s weakness and uses it against him.

Answer 12

He commands Roderigo by using his love for Desdemona, “sir, be you ruled by me” and he plans to manipulate Cassio by using. His courtesy against him: “with as little a web as this I will ensnare as great a fly as Cassio.”

Question 13

Quote: Othello’s excess of emotion.

Answer 13

He says he is “most happy.” These strong feelings hint that his negative emotions will be equally as intensive and so destructive.

Question 14

Quote: Iago’s promise in his soliloquy.

Answer 14

Iago vows to “put the moor // At least into a jealousy so strong // That judgement cannot cure.”

Question 15

Quote: How do Desdemona and Othello refer to each other?

Answer 15

Othello’s reunion with Desdemona highlights their mutual love and affection. Desdemona calls him “My dear Othello” and he calls her his “soul’s joy” which elevates their love to having spiritual significance.

Question 16

Quote: How does Iago describe Othello and Desdemona’s love?

Answer 16

Iago observes that the lovers are “well tuned now”

Question 17

Quote: What does Iago vow to do to the harmony of their relationship?

Answer 17

“set down the pegs that make this music.” As pegs are used to loosen the strings on instruments so they’re out of tune, Iago plans to manipulate events in order to upset their happiness.

Question 18

Quote: Iago’s description of his own jealousy.

Answer 18

He declares that “nothing can, or shall, content my soul” until he has had his revenge.

Question 19

Quote: Iago declaring he loves Desdemona and his reasoning for it.

Answer 19

He declares that “nothing can, or shall, content my soul” until he has had his revenge.

Question 20

Quote: Iago fearing that Emilia is unfaithful to him.

Answer 20

“I fear Cassio with my night-cap too.”

Question 21

Quote: Iago comparing his plan to poison.

Answer 21

He claims that his plan “Doth, like a poisonous mineral, gnaw my inwards” which presents it as destructive and unnatural.

Question 22

Quote: Iago describing his own plan and what this suggests.

Answer 22

The way he doesn’t have a single reason for his plotting, and his admission that his plans are “confused”, could suggest that he’s simply creating disorder because he’s evil.

Question 23

In Act 2, Scene 2, what is to be celebrated according to the Herald’s proclamation?

Answer 23

Military victory and Othello’s marriage.

Question 24

What interrupts the marriage celebrations in Act 2, Scene 3?

Answer 24

Iago tries to make Cassio admit that he has feelings for Desdemona. When he fails, he gets him drunk instead.
Acting on Iago’s instructions, Rodrigo provokes Cassio who chases him. Montano stops Cassio and they fight.
Cassio wounds Montano, just as Othello enters. Iago gives his version of events so that Othello fires Cassio.
Iago advises Cassio to try to convince Desdemona to help him regain his position as Othello’s lieutenant.

Question 25

Why is Act 2, Scene 3 structurally significant?

Answer 25

After the uninterrupted dialogue of the previous scenes, this provides some action. This fight scene is sudden and shocking, with shouting and alarm bells in the middle of the night.

Question 26

Quote: Othello’s usually flowing, eloquent speech is broken up into shorter sentences and questions.

Answer 26

“Why, how now, ho!” This shows his anger and frustration.

Question 27

What is significant about Iago’s presence in Act 2, Scene 3?

Answer 27

There are many entrants and exits in this scene, but Iago is almost a constant presence on stage his three soliloquies leave the audience with the impression that he is in total control of the unfolding events.

Question 28

Quote: Shows how Othello and Desdemona’s marriage is not based on bestial and sexual desires.

Answer 28

“the fruits are to ensure / That profit’s yet to come ‘tween me and you.”

Question 29

A critical interpretation on their mariage celebration.

Answer 29

The fight interrupts their reunion as Othello returns to restore order. Some critics, such as Harold Bloom have suggested that Othello leaves Desdemona before they have consummated their marriage - this adds to the tragedy of the play as they were not able to celebrate their love.

Question 30

Quote: The comparison between Othello’s promise about keeping love and war separate and how this has changed.

Answer 30

In Act 1, Scene 3 Othello promised that he would keep love and war separate, but here their love is interrupted by conflict: “’tis the soldiers’ life / To have their balmy slumbers waked its strife”. This foreshadows the future problems in Desdemona and Othello’s relationship. Iago also says “our general’s wife is now the General” which suggests the boundaries between the two worlds are starting to blur.

Question 31

Quote: Iago describing how Cassio gets drunk easily.

Answer 31

“if I can fasten but one cup upon him.”

Question 32

Quote: Iago describing the effect that Desdemona’s love has. had on Roderigo.

Answer 32

Roderigo’s love for Desdemona has made him a “sick fool”, which Iago can use to convince him to fight.

Question 33

Quote: Iago being able to control Emilia.

Answer 33

“I’ll set her on.”

Question 34

Quote: Iago comparing his plan to a net.

Answer 34

“net / That shall enmesh them all”

These images of entrapment suggest that nobody. Can escape from his plots.

Question 35

Quote: Iago develops the plan for his poison.

Answer 35

He plans to pour the “pestilence” of suspicion into Othello’s ear, which links to Act 3, Scene 3, where he claims “The Moor already changes with my poison.”