Imagery

Question 1

What does Iago, the ensign, say about poison to Brabantio in Act 1?

Answer 1

he wants to “poison his [Brabantio’s] delight”

Question 2

Iago’s jealousy of the Moor is so strong that he said it what in Act 2?

Answer 2

it “Doth like a poisonous mineral gnaw my inwards”

Question 3

Iago resolves to what? in order to secure Othello’s downfall?

Answer 3

to “pour this pestilence into his ear”

Question 4

Othello recalls Iago’s words when he says…? Act 3

Answer 4

“Poison, or fire, or suffocating streams/I’ll not endure it”

Question 5

Othello recalls Iago’s words when he says “Poison, or ___, or _______ ________/I’ll not endure it” Act 3

Answer 5

fire

suffocating streams

Question 6

When is the most chilling reference to poison?

Answer 6

it comes in Act IV Scene I when Othello decides to murder Desdemona “Get me some poison, Iago”

Question 7

What does Othello say in Act IV Scene I when Othello decides to murder Desdemona?

Answer 7

“Get me some poison, Iago”

Question 8

HIs mind poisoned with foul thought, Othello now seeks to kill Desdemona in the bed that he thinks she has poisoned with her lust. Why is it particularly chilling that Iago, the real poisoner, suggests the method of killing Desdemona?

Answer 8

as ultimately Iago achieves what he wanted, at the end of the play Ludovico looks at the ‘tragic loading’ of bodies on Othello’s bed commenting that it is a “poisons sight”

Question 9

How does Iago say to kill Desdemona?

Answer 9

do it not with poison, strangle her in her bed

Question 10

What is the effect of SHakespeares use of imagery of hell and the devil?

Answer 10

this subverts the negative stereotype of the evil black man and links Iago firmly to the figure of the vice from medieval drama.

Question 11

When does Iago make the link between his construct and the devil at the end of his soliloquy?

Answer 11

Act 1 Scene 3

Question 12

Iago makes the link between his construct and the devil at the end of his soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 3, when he outlines his evil intentions saying….?

Answer 12

“Hell and night/Must bring this monstrous birth to the world’s light”

Question 13

What oxymoron does Iago say in his soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 1?

Answer 13

“Divinity of hell”

“blackest sins put on”
“heavenly shows”

Question 14

While Iago names Othello a devil, in the context of the play what is probably the reason?

Answer 14

it is most likely used as a racial slur than a comment on his character

Question 15

What does othello make to wreak vengeance on Desdemona?

Answer 15

a “sacred vow”

Question 16

What is significant about Othello’s “sacred vow” to wreak vengeance on Desdemona?

Answer 16

The sacred wedding vows Othello made to Desdemona in love are now eclipsed by Iago’s “pestilence,” Othello once consumed by the love of his “fair warrior” has now corrupted into a hatred and “sacred vow” to kill.

Question 17

When does Othello attempt to force an admission of guilt from Desdemona?

Answer 17

Act 4 Scene 2

Question 18

How does Othello accuse Emilia of concealing Desdemona’s infidelity in Act 4 Scene 2?

Answer 18

by claiming she “keeps the gates of hell”

Question 19

What does Emilia declare to Othello in the final scene?

Answer 19

that “thou art a devil” “the blacker devil”

Question 20

Othello is bewildered by the ensign’s evil in Act V Scene 2, asking what?

Answer 20

“Why he hath ensnared my soul and body”

Question 21

In Iago’s speech, the reference to animal and insect imagery is reductive and negative to suggest his despise for his victims. What does Iago set out with Rorderigo to do in Act 1 Scene 1?

Answer 21

to “Plague him [Brabantio] with flies!”

Question 22

Othello is infected by Iago’s dark imagery, but the animal imagery in othello’s speeches reveals the hero’s misery rather than sneering triumph. In Act 3 Scene 3 he declares “I had rather be a toad” when Iago makes reference to Desdemona’s infidelity. When is this image of a toad repeated when Othello describes his sorrow at “losing” the innocent Desdemona he loved so much?

Answer 22

In Act 4 Scene 2

Question 23

Iago maintains Othello’s jealousy with images of bestial lust. How does he describe Cassio and Desdemona’s fling? in Act 3 Scene 3

Answer 23

“as hot as monkeys”

Question 24

By Act 4 Othello has lost all power of reason and sound judgment, unable to resist the sexual images Iago “pours” into his mind, polluting his love. What indicates this in Act 4 Scene 1?

Answer 24

Othello yelps “Goats and Monkeys!”

Question 25

It is ironic that Desdemona, who we are informed could “____ the ________ out of a bear” cannot convince Othello that his suspicion are false.

Answer 25

sing

savageness

Question 26

The last animal images are applied to Iago, whose evil makes him an “________ ___”

Answer 26

inhuman dog

Question 27

Images of the sea and military heroism abound around Othello in the first half of the play, suggestive of his nobility and bravery. In what Act does othello describe his illustrious crier with dignity?

Answer 27

Act 1 Scene 3

Question 28

Desdemona echoes othello’s bravery in Act 1 Scene 3 when she declares
“My _______- _____ and scorn of _______/ May _______ to the world”

Answer 28

‘My downright violence and scorn of fortunes/ May trumpet to the world”

Question 29

Desdemona echoes Othello’s bravery in Act 1 Scene 3 when she declares
‘My downright violence and scorn of fortunes/ May trumpet to the world,’ by using this the terminology of war to describe her love, what do we see?

Answer 29

we see that Desdemona is “well tuned” (Act II Scene I) with her husband, fitting with how Othello describes her as his “fair carrier in the following scene.

Question 30

References to black and white are important to the central paradox in the play; Othello, who is “___ ____ fair than black” is the vinous, noble man while Iago proves to be a devilish creature with the “blackest ____” and “heavenly shows”

Answer 30

far more

sins

Question 31

“Her name. that was as fresh/As Dian’s visage, is now begrimed and black/As mine own face”, when is this said?

Answer 31

Act III Scene III

Question 32

Othello calls the devil for assistance in his revenge, in Act 3 Scene3, what does he say?

Answer 32

“Arise, black vengeance”

Question 33

What is ironic about the way Othello calls “arise, black vengeance” in assistance for revenge in Act 3 Scene 3?

Answer 33

as Othello links himself to hell and darkness yet justifies his murder as serving heaven by making a “sacrifice” In Act 5 Scene 2. Othello is pulled in two directions, wanting to believe that Desdemona is honest while being unable to refute her damnation

Question 34

The final metaphor Othello uses to speak of her suggests her purity and preciousness. how does he describe her?

Answer 34

as “a pearl” he threw away like a “base Indian”

Question 35

explore

“put out the light, and then put out the light!”

Answer 35

the drama of the play occurs as Othello moves away fro the light of Desdemona’s love towards the darkness of Iago and his world view, becoming a black villain in the process.

Question 36

Why in Act 2 Scene 3 does Iago lead the singings of a bawdy drinking song as part of his strategy to get Cassio drunk?

Answer 36

to establish a genial mood in order to establish and hide his poisonous intentions

Question 37

Sense of inevitability in the cyclical nature of the play, as Iago’s bawdy singing leads to what?

Answer 37

this leads indirectly to Desdemona;s song about Doomed love

Question 38

iago is the primary source of dramatic irony as he helps inform us of his intentions while his victims are blissfully unaware of his manipulation. What is the effect of the irony?

Answer 38

the irony that surrounds Iago and his role forces us to reject the villain

Question 39

Iago’ use of the abstract noun “love” is particularly chilling in the scenes in which we watch …?

Answer 39

the true love of Othello and Desdemona being destroyed by the false and empty love Iago pretends to feel.

Question 40

Iago’s downfall is ironic as he is brought down by two characters he had no respect for and believed he controlled. Who?

Answer 40

Emilia who destroys his reputation as an honest man and Roderigo who’s letters condemn him to torture

Question 41

The noble warrior is destroyed by his petty-minded subordinate, the great soldier becoming a jealous lover. Othello’s military strengths decisiveness and ruthlessness thus become weaknesses in his personal life. how does he die?

Answer 41

by his own hand, by his own sword

Question 42

Othello is forced into the role of the villain by the “inhuman dog” Act V Scene 1. Othello becomes convinced that he has married whom?

Answer 42

“the cunning whore of Venice”