Plot summary

Question 1

Act 1: What is the setting? (2)

Answer 1

• Venice - a powerful + civilised state of Christian Europe

* The turks, infidels, are threatening to attack areas of the Eastern Mediterranean where Venice holds power

Question 2

Act 1: What has Othello done? (2)

Answer 2

• He has caused great bitterness in his adjutant Iago by promoting Cassio as his lieutenant
• He has also shocked a Venetian Senator, Brabantio, by secretly marrying his daughter Desdemona

Question 3

Act 1: What does Iago do? (3)

Answer 3

• Declares his hatred for Othello and plans to get even with him
• Uses Roderigo to inform Brabantio of his daughter’s treachery to discredit Othello
• Keeps the rich presents Roderigo has been asking him to deliver to Desdemona

Question 4

Act 1: What happens when news reaches Venice that the Turks are about to attack Cyprus? (4)

Answer 4

• The Duke sends for Othello
• Brabantio accuses Othello of seducing his daughter by witchcraft
• Othello tells his version of their love affair and Desdemona backs him up
• Othello prepares to depart for Cyprus leaving Iago to escort Desdemona

Question 5

Act 2: What is the setting?

Answer 5

A storm destroys the Turkish threat, but the Venetians arrive safely.

Question 6

Act 2: What does Iago do? (6)

Answer 6

• Observes Cassio’s elaborate comforting of Desdemona while Othello is still at sea in the storm
• Forms plans to deceive Othello that there is an affair between Desdemona + Cassio
• Uses the night of celebration to get Cassio drunk + disgrace himself
• Persuades Roderigo to discredit Cassio by getting him involved in a street brawl
• Persuades Cassio to beg Desdemona to plead with Othello for his reinstatement
• Puts it in Othello’s mind to watch Desdemona with Cassio

Question 7

Act 2: What does Othello do?

Answer 7

Proclaims a night of celebration

Question 8

Act 3: What does Othello do? (3)

Answer 8

• Prompted by Iago, descends rapidly into suspicion + mad jealousy
• Commits himself to revenge, wanting Iago to arrange Cassio’s death while he plans to kill Desdemona
• Despite his infatuation with Desdemona, cannot be turned from his course

Question 9

Act 3: What does Desdemona do? (2)

Answer 9

• Drops a handkerchief of great sentimental value given to her by Othello
• Protests her innocence

Question 10

Act 3: What does Emilia do? (2)

Answer 10

• Picks up Desdemona’s handkerchief

* Swears Desdemona’s innocence

Question 11

Act 4: What does Othello do? (2)

Answer 11

• Manipulated by Iago, is led to believe that he sees the handkerchief in the hands of Bianca, a whore of Cassio’s, and that he hears Cassio talking of Desdemona as if she were a whore who loves him
• Orders Desdemona to bed

Question 12

Act 4: What does Lodovico do? (2)

Answer 12

• Arrives from Venice with orders for Othello to return and for Cassio to take command at Cyprus
• Is shocked to see Othello strike Desdemona

Question 13

Act 4: What does Desdemona do? (3)

Answer 13

• Tells Lodovico of the rift between Othello and Cassio
• Asks Emilia to put her wedding sheets on the bed
• In discussions with Emilia about men and marriage, shows her loyalty to Othello is unfailing

Question 14

Act 4: What does Iago do?

Answer 14

Offers no clear explanation for Othello’s behaviour, but hints that he has lost control

Question 15

Act 5: What does Iago do?

Answer 15

Sets Roderigo to kill Cassio in a night attack

Question 16

Act 5: What does Othello do? (3)

Answer 16

• Witnesses the night attack and believes Cassio to be dead when in fact, he is only wounded by Iago
• Still intoxicated by Desdemona’s beauty, smothers he because he believes this is justice
• Tormented by guilt and remorse, kills himself, claiming that he had “loved not wisely but too well”

Question 17

Act 5: What happens to Roderigo?

Answer 17

Is fatally wounded by Iago

Question 18

Act 5: What does Emilia do? (3)

Answer 18

• Hears Desdemona say there is no one to blame for her death
• Discovers that Othello has killed his wife and convinces him that he was wrong in his suspicions
• Is horrified to learn that Iago is behind it all

Question 19

Act 5: What does Iago do?

Answer 19

When all his plots are discovered, he fatally wounds Emilia