Othello Questions

What does Roderigo want more than anything else?
Desdemona

What two reasons does Iago give for being upset with Othello at the beginning of the play?
Giving his position to Cassio and a rumor saying that Othello slept with Emilia.

Who is Othello’s first lieutenant as the play begins?
Cassio

How does Othello describe Iago?
An honest man.

What is Iago jealous, or envious, of?
He is jealous of Cassio for stealing his position.

For what reason does Desdemona defy her father at the beginning of the play?
Her love for Othello is stronger than her love for her father.

Othello goes to the Duke because he has been summoned. Why does Brabantio go to the Duke?
To see if the Duke can settle his situation with Othello.

How did Desdemona fall in love with Othello?
He tells her of his adventures.

To who (or what) is Iago referring when he says, “Thus do I make my fool my purse?”
He is talking about fools being a great way to make money.

Who does Iago use to taunt Cassio while drunk?
Roderigo

What does Cassio fear after his fight with Roderigo?
That Othello will find out he is drunk and was part of the fight.

What is the result of Cassio’s drunkenness?
Cassio gets fired from his position as Lieutenant.

Why does Roderigo do what Iago tells him to do?
Because he is in love with Desdemona and will do whatever it takes to get her to fall for him.

When Cassio is fired from his position in Othello’s army, what does Iago tell him to do?
To talk to Desdemona and seek her help to convince Othello to give him his job back.

When Cassio brings musicians to play for Othello in 3.1, what does Othello think of them?
He likes the music but asks that they stop playing.

In what two places does this play take place?
Venice and Cyprus.

What does it mean for a man to be made a “cuckold?”
To be cheated on.

How does Iago plant the seed of jealousy in Othello’s mind?
He acts like he himself has a little suspicion that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Maybe also something to do with the handkerchief.

Who says, “Jealousy is the green-eyed monster,” and what does that mean?
Iago. It means that jealousy can consume and devour your life.

What is so special about the handkerchief Desdemona drops?
It was a gift from Othello that he received from an Egyptian woman.

What happens to Desdemona’s handkerchief after she drops it?
Emilia takes it because Iago has been begging her to steal it.

Othello promotes Iago to what rank?
Lieutenant

How does Othello plan to kill Desdemona?
At first to poison her, but then got his mind changed by Iago to strangle her.

How does Desdemona react when Othello begins behaving strangely?
She thinks she is just judging him harshly.

What does Desdemona do when Othello asks her for the handkerchief?
Tells him it’s not lost, but she doesn’t know where it is.

What does Desdemona request Emilia to do just before her death?
Put her wedding sheets on her bed.

What finally convinces Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair?
Cassio having the handkerchief.

How does Iago obtain the handkerchief?
He gets it from Emilia.

What is the importance of the handkerchief in the play?
It’s a symbol of their love, Othello says it is magical and sentimental.

When Cassio has the handkerchief, to whom does HE give it?
Bianca

When Othello accuses her of being a wh0r3 (quizlet won’t let me put profanity), Desdemona turns to who for help?
Emilia

What task did Othello give to Iago that Iago then gives to Roderigo?
Kill Cassio.

In Desdemona and Emilia’s conversation, what does Emilia say causes women to cheat on their husbands?
The fault in men.

What is the result of the second fight between Roderigo and Cassio?
Roderigo is killed, Cassio is seriously injured.

Iago tries to blame the fight on who?
Roderigo

How does Desdemona die?
Strangled by Othello

Who first puts the pieces together and points the finger at Iago?
Emilia

What happens to Emilia because of her accusations?
Iago kills her.

What happens to Othello?
He gets fired, and he commits suicide.

Who replaces Othello as a general at the end of the play?
Cassio

What happens to Iago?
He gets taken away to be tortured and killed.

Who is dead at the end of the play?
Emilia, Desdemona, Roderigo, Othello.

What is the main cause of the tragedy in the play Othello?
Iago