Act 2 Sc 1

Question 1

Significance of the scene of Cyprus

Answer 1

The characters have been moved from the orderly social and political scene of Venice.

Question 2

What does the storm foreshadow?

Answer 2

The passions that will be unleashed in the new setting and we might also see it as being related to Othello and his later violent emotions.–> Othello is later associated with sea imagery and he becomes as destructive later.

Or perhaps, the sea represents Iago whose violence it reflects.

The storm is also a device used by Shakespeare to turn Othello into a domestic tragedy- as the external threat of the Turks has been replaced by the internal threat of Iago.

Finally, the storm prevents the soldiers from seeing clearly- which is a repeated Idea (previously seen in A1 S1).

Question 3

Significance of Iago landing in Cyprus before Othello?

Answer 3

He has control over the new setting- later he seems to have absolute control over the situation.

Question 4

What are the repeated ideas in Iago’s soliloquies?

Answer 4

Misogynistic opinions and personal and professional jealousy towards Othello.

Question 5

Why is Desdemona’s sexuality stressed?

Answer 5

• hers and Othello’s attraction to one another makes the audience see them as a good match, and makes him as innocent of the witchcraft he was blamed for. It also makes their ending more tragic.
• Iago also heavily relies on Desdemona’s sexual attractiveness for his plan- this makes it important for the plot. Her qualities of confidence and quick wit is what makes her attractive.

Question 6

Quote for Othello unknowingly hinting at the tragedy that awaits him?

Answer 6

‘That not another comfort like this/ Suceeds in an unknown fate’.

This foreshadows the tragedy to come.