Structure

Question 1

There are two principle locations, Venice and Cyprus, but our attention becomes fixed on a single bedroom in the dénouement, what feeling does this create?

Answer 1

a feeling of claustrophobia that is unique in Shakespeare’s tragedies.

Question 2

When did dramatists begin to use Itay as a suitable location for revenge tragedies?

Answer 2

end of the 16th century

Question 3

What did Venice symbolise?

Answer 3

a place of sophistication and power, order, wealth

Question 4

As well as being a setting associated with sophistication and culture, what had Venice a reputation for?

Answer 4

place of liberty

Question 5

Why is it appropriate that the Machiavellian should originate and appear in an Italian setting before being transported to Cyprus?

Answer 5

As this places Iago within the setting of

Question 6

What is significant about the location change to Cyprus?

Answer 6

Shakespeare’s use of war with the Turks and the uneasy atmosphere of the garrison town in Cyprus became a halfway house between civilisation and the heathen world.

Question 7

In the unfamiliar setting of Cyprus, the threat of lurking anger and passions unleashed destroy the established order of Venice. What helps to establish and reflect the fear and violence that the characters will experience in Cyprus, while also being a symbol of the love of Othello and Desdemona?

Answer 7

the storm opening Act 2.

Question 8

Not only does the room in the dénouement ignite claustrophobia, but what else?

Answer 8

this heightens from the fact that there is no real subplot in Othello as the action focuses on Iago’s role and Othello’s reactions to his ‘reports’.

Question 9

Why is our claustrophobia heightened because of the function of the characters?

Answer 9

this is because the characters exist in a tightly-knit social network where each have a clear defined position and a view of every member of the group

Question 10

How does Iago threaten the order and harmony of the network between the tightly-knit close group?

Answer 10

because he is able to manipulate the most powerful group member.

Question 11

How does the single plot intensify dramatic tension?

Answer 11

this is because we are never given a moment’s respite to look away from Iago’s progress as he augments Othello’s tragedy.

Question 12

What Act and scene is an effective example of how Shakespeare uses the scene for maximum impact?

Answer 12

Act 3 scene 3

Question 13

How does Othello’s first moment of isolation reflect his agony?

Answer 13

as he asks wretchedly, “Why did I marry?” Act 3 scene 3

Question 14

From line 331 ti the end of the scene, Othello’s speeches become what? Act 3 scene 3

Answer 14

explosive and bloodthirsty

Question 15

By the end of Act 3 scene 3, what does Othello’s “fair warrior” become?

Answer 15

“the fair devil”

Question 16

What does the structure of the play rely on?

Answer 16

reversal and repetition

Question 17

How does Iago progress from Act 1, Act 2, Act 3?

Answer 17

In Act one he is an underdog, used only as an escort for Desdemona to Cyprus.
In Act two, he formulates his revenge
In Act three he is abel to triumph over Othello.

Question 18

In Act 3 Othello struggles to resist the jealous which threatens to overpower his reason, succumbing to it when?

Answer 18

in Act 4

Question 19

What does Othello become in Act 5?

Answer 19

He becomes what Iago is; a destructive avenger of his self-pride

Question 20

At the end of the play, how is the tragic protagonist partly redeemed?

Answer 20

when he recognises his folly and chooses to destroy himself

Question 21

The theory of a double time scheme in Othello dates from when?

Answer 21

the middle of the nineteenth century

Question 22

How is there no doubt that there are inconsistencies in the way time is presented in Othello?

Answer 22

AS the disintegration of Othello’s mind and marriage occurs extremely fast and Iago recognises that he must move quickly if his plots are to remain concealed. It is as well highly unlikely that Ludovico would be sent from Venice to install Cassio as governor within a week of Othello’s arrival in Cyprus.

Question 23

IN Act 3 scene 3, Iago describes Cassio’s lustful dream, which we are told occurred, ‘______’, when Iago shared Cassio’s bed.

Answer 23

lately

Question 24

When Bianca complains to Cassio that he has stayed away from her a week, Othello says that he believes Desdemona has committed adultery with Cassio “_________________________”

Answer 24

A thousand times

Question 25

Arguably, what act reflects ‘short time’?

Answer 25

the fact that Act 1 takes place in 1 night

Question 26

Once the characters arrive in Cyprus time appears to move very quickly, this juxtaposes to the previous act which took place in 1 night. What could this suggest?

Answer 26

This emphasises the change from Venice, a place of order and reality to Cyprus, a place of disarray and turmoil.

Question 27

How does Act 2 onwards increase the sense of claustrophobia in the play in regards to time?a

Answer 27

as the place quickens from Act 2 onwards, heightening the intensity of the drama

Question 28

How is it clear that from Act 2, time moves fast?

Answer 28

As upon arrival, the characters land just before ‘this present hour of five’ while the wedding celebrations occur that evening, Cassio dismissed that night. The next day Desdemona pleads for Cassio.

Question 29

What two scenes may be plausibly a short interval?

Answer 29

Act 3 scene 3 and Act 4 scene 1

Question 30

How is the plot that relentless and gripping, what is the evidence?

Answer 30

as we do not notice the inconsistencies

Question 31

Why might Shakespeare perhaps use this fast time scheme to show?

Answer 31

into to show us how powerful and unreasonable jealousy is

Question 32

Where does the opening scene occur and the ending scene occur?

Answer 32

in the street in Venice at night and the play ends in Othello’s bedroom in Cyprus at night

Question 33

When is Cassio’s reputation destroyed?

Answer 33

at night

Question 34

When are Rodrigo and Emilia stabbed?

Answer 34

at night, from their dying wounds

Question 35

What is the effect of all the violence and conspiracies at night?

Answer 35

as the audience associate night with evil and a cover for Iago to hide in darkness to conceal his plots.