Act One, Scene One

Question 1

“Over-emphasis on the fatal flaw”-
jealousy reflected in Iago diverts blame from Othello later in the play.
Who said this?

Answer 1

Linda Woodbridge

Question 2

What insinuates Iago breeds racist ideology into Othello- racist ideals come to life in the mind of the White man.

Answer 2

Jealousy reflected in Iago from the opening scene.
(mocking Cassio)

Question 3

Shakespeare establishes the theme of ______ immediately in the opening scene, proliferated by Iago.

Answer 3

jealousy

Question 4

Response to critic identification of jealousy as most prominent theme.

Answer 4

Although jealousy - Othello’s apparent hamartia - is prevalent in the play
The main theme appears to be deceit as a key trait of the antagonist, Iago.

Question 5

Iago’s manipulative deception is established in Act 1, Scene 1 as a primary feature.
With the Biblical allusion __________ foreshadowing the malign depth of his deception revealed later in the play.

Answer 5

“I am not what I am” (inverse of “I am that I am” from Exodus)

Question 6

Iago’s jealousy is projected onto Othello…

Answer 6

…stereotypes of Black people only become true with White people’s involvement & imagination.

Question 7

Iago mocks Cassio, calling him _______ and confirms that he hates Othello.

Answer 7

“mere prattle without practice”

Question 8

By reflecting Othello’s jealousy in Iago’s character from the opening scene, we can assess Othello’s _________ with the increased involvement of Iago and his deceit across the play.

Answer 8

culpability for his own downfall

Question 9

Bringing Iago’s deceit so immediately to the forefront of the play’s opening immediately establishes a subversively critical perspective on…

Answer 9

…racial prejudice, as a trait so solidly chained to Black people is initially observed in a White character.

Question 10

Before Othello enters, Iago has sculpted a negative perception of him, framing him as…

Answer 10

…an inept leader and sexually depraved.

Question 11

‘Southern men are more hot, lascivious and jealous’
Who said this?

Answer 11

Robert Burton

Question 12

Perhaps Shakespeare uses ______ to present Iago as innately evil and sadistic by using symbolism easily recognisable to the religious audience

Answer 12

Biblical allusion with “I am not what I am”

Question 13

Brabantio shows hostility towards Roderigo when he says…

Answer 13

‘the worser welcome!’

Question 14

Desdemona remains unnamed in Act 1, Scene 1, allowing her to take on the role of a symbol for all women (_____) and their desirable, coveted innocence

Answer 14

(“maidens”)

Question 15

Terms linking Desdemona with the ideal of a virtuous woman

Answer 15

“Soul”
“White”
“Fair”
“Youth”
“Maidenhood”

Question 16

Desdemona’s objectification is amplified through the men’s use of possessive language such as…

Answer 16

‘your’ and ‘my daughter’

Question 17

Despite her idealisation, Desdemona’s nature is flawed - not due to malice or contempt, but…

Answer 17

naivety/immaturity

Question 18

The infantilising language used to describe Desdemona, such as ______ reflects her immaturity

Answer 18

‘ewe’, ‘girl’, ‘youth’, ‘Maidenhood’

Question 19

The repeated notion that Desdemona had been seduced or coerced into a relationship with Othello, described as _______, also reflects her immaturity.

Answer 19

‘clasps’, ‘abused’, ‘robbing’

Question 20

The initial discussion of Desdemona’s ______ as well as description of her children (nephews, niece) may also describe her fertility and purpose as a mother, considering the way Othello is seen to corrupt it as described with _______

Answer 20

‘maidenhood’
‘a black ram’ and ‘you’ll have your nephews neigh…’
(Blackness is seen to corrupt femininity, muddying purity and exploiting fertility)

Question 21

The use of women in Shakespearean tragedy is discussed in _________’s critical analysis as she focuses on tragedy’s _______ personified by the gratuitous denigration of all prominent female characters at the culmination of Shakespearean Tragedy

Answer 21

Woodbridge’s
‘anti-fertility agenda’

Question 22

By describing Desdemona’s _________ in the opening of the play, Shakespeare foregrounds the tragic events and remains present in the minds of the audience as the play progresses, emphasising the…

Answer 22

fertility and vital womanhood
impact of her eventual demise