Othello Questions
Act 1 Scene 1 Questions
1. From Roderigo’s first speech it appears that he paid Iago for something? Can you tell what it is?
So that he will help win over Desdemona’s heart
2. Iago say he hates Othello for what reason?
Iago hates Othello because he didn’t get the promotion and Michael Cassio did and Iago thinks he is the one who deserves it
3. What does Iago say of Cassio?
Iago says that Cassio is undeserving as he has no experience and only has book knowledge
4. What two kinds of followers are there, according to Iago?
The loyal who will follow their leader to death and the ones who will act like that but are really plotting against him
5. Shortly after this, Iago speaks about appearance and reality. He concludes “I am not what I am”. State what preceded that line and explain it.
Iago says that he
6. How do Iago and Roderigo stir up trouble?
They wake Brabantio and tell him that Othello is stealing his daughter
7. What is Brabantio’s reaction?
He is really mad
8. What does Brabantio say that this situation reminds him of?
His dream
9. Why does Iago make sure he leaves before Brabantio comes out of the house?
So that he still looks loyal to Othello
10. Earlier Brabantio has told Roderigo that there is no way that Roderigo is suitable Desdemona. What does he say to Roderigo after he found out about her and Othello?
Act 1 Scene 2 Questions
1. Why does Iago say he wished to kill Roderigo? What reason does he gave for not killing him?
Iago wants to kill Roderigo because of all the terrible names he had called Othello and that his conscious held him back
2. What is Othello’s response?
Othello says that it was good he didn’t kill him and it is better this way. “‘Tis better as it is”
3. Why is Othello not worried about Brabantio’s wrath?
He believes that everything he has done for Cyprus will help calm down Brabantio “My services… shall out-tongue his complaints”
4. Iago tells Othello that Brabantio and his friends are coming and it is best if Othello goes into
1. From Roderigo’s first speech it appears that he paid Iago for something? Can you tell what it is?
So that he will help win over Desdemona’s heart
2. Iago say he hates Othello for what reason?
Iago hates Othello because he didn’t get the promotion and Michael Cassio did and Iago thinks he is the one who deserves it
3. What does Iago say of Cassio?
Iago says that Cassio is undeserving as he has no experience and only has book knowledge
4. What two kinds of followers are there, according to Iago?
The loyal who will follow their leader to death and the ones who will act like that but are really plotting against him
5. Shortly after this, Iago speaks about appearance and reality. He concludes “I am not what I am”. State what preceded that line and explain it.
Iago says that he
6. How do Iago and Roderigo stir up trouble?
They wake Brabantio and tell him that Othello is stealing his daughter
7. What is Brabantio’s reaction?
He is really mad
8. What does Brabantio say that this situation reminds him of?
His dream
9. Why does Iago make sure he leaves before Brabantio comes out of the house?
So that he still looks loyal to Othello
10. Earlier Brabantio has told Roderigo that there is no way that Roderigo is suitable Desdemona. What does he say to Roderigo after he found out about her and Othello?
Act 1 Scene 2 Questions
1. Why does Iago say he wished to kill Roderigo? What reason does he gave for not killing him?
Iago wants to kill Roderigo because of all the terrible names he had called Othello and that his conscious held him back
2. What is Othello’s response?
Othello says that it was good he didn’t kill him and it is better this way. “‘Tis better as it is”
3. Why is Othello not worried about Brabantio’s wrath?
He believes that everything he has done for Cyprus will help calm down Brabantio “My services… shall out-tongue his complaints”
4. Iago tells Othello that Brabantio and his friends are coming and it is best if Othello goes into