Othello Soliloquy

Act 2

1. Three Questions
What is Iago telling Rodrigo to do? And Why is Rodrigo doing everything he is told?
Iago is using Rodrigo as part of his plan to ruin Othello, he is told to anger Cassio and persuade a fight with him so Othello could see how unfit he is for his position. The reason Rodrigo is doing all this so he could get more time and a better chance to get Desdemona. (II, i)
Why did Iago so forcefully encourage Cassio to drink more wine?
It was all part of Iago’s plan, he would get Cassio really drunk, spread rumours that it’s a “vice” of his, also by getting him drunk he would get angry more easy, which means he would immediately break into a fight with Rodrigo. (II, iii)
Why did Iago suggest Cassio to go get help from Desdemona?
This would all be part of his plan, again. By getting Cassio to go get help from desmona Iago would create lies about them “being close” and tell Othello about it. Also, its kind of proof to what Iago is saying, because Othello would see that Desdemona is close to Cassio. (II, iii)

2. A personal Impression of characters
Iago – Using Rodrigo to help carry out his plan. (II, i)
Iago uses Rodrigo as a tool to carry out his plan,
Roderigo – Doing everything Iago tells him to. (II, i)
Iago uses Rodrigo as a tool to carry out his revengeful plan, he tells him to pursued Cassio into a fight so everyone can see how unstable and how big of a drunk Cassio is. Rodrigo, being so in love with Desdemona, does all this just for another shot with her. In my opinion, Rodrigo is just blinded by love and absolutely foolish because he doesn’t comprehend that Iago is just using him. (II, i)
Emilia – Not getting offended about Iago’s opinions (II, ii)
As everyone arrives at Cyprus Iago says some rude and offensive things about Emilia and about women in general, Emilia doesn’t really take it to heart or get offended. I think this is because either Emilia really loves her husband or she is a bit afraid to stand up to him, because iago can be mad sometimes.

3. Five Vocabulary words
Fair “If she be fair and wise, fairness and wit”
(II, i, 144)
Denotative: In accordance to the rules, or standards.
Connotative: To be light in complexion, considered to be beautiful.
Synonyms: Attractive, light, good looking.
Antonyms: Dark, unattractive.

2. Black “ Well praised! How if she be black and witty?”
(II, i, 146)
Denotative: dark colour.
Connotative: dark in completion, so considered unattractive.
Synonyms: ugly, unattractive, unpleasant.
Antonyms: Beautiful, fair, handsome.

3. Fond “These are old fond paradoxes to make fools laugh …”
(II, I, 153)
Denotative: Having affection or liking towards someone.
Connotative: Foolish.
Synonyms: Silly, unwise.
Antonyms: sensible, wise, judicial.

4. Mutiny: “Away, I say! Go out and cry a mutiny.)
(II, iii, 165)
Denotative: Refuse to obey the orders of a person in authority.
Connotative: a disturbance.
Synonyms: riot, rebellion
Antonyms: Calm, peace.

5. Egregious “for making him egregiously an ass”
(II, ii, 331)
Denotative: Conspicuously bad or reprehensible.
Connotative: Something that stands out in a bad way complexion, considered to be beautiful.
Synonyms: flagrant, gross, conspicuous.
Antonyms: Concealed, hidden, mild.

4. What constitutes good and evil?
(II, i, 221-223)
(II, i, 279-282)
(II, iii, 285-295)