Othello Test

Full Sentence Response Questions To be answered after viewing film version. (20 word minimum)
3 pts. each. Total of 94 points available, be sure to fully respond to each question. If I have trouble reading it, I will require it to be redone, and resubmitted, before I will grade it. All work to be done in class. If you need more time, you may stay afterschool.

Be sure to number each response.


1) Should Iago be executed in the end? Why or why not?
2) Where did Iago go wrong (be specific) in his plan?
3) Why doesn't Emilia speak up sooner about the handkerchief?
4) Why doesn't Desdemona stand up to Othello?
5) Why doesn't Othello believe Desdemona?
6) How innocent is Othello? (Means what personality defect is his down fall? Does he knowingly personally lose in order to publically win)
7) Who do you feel more sorry for: Othello or Desdemona? Why?

8) State and explain the theme using examples from the play.

Short Answer Essay Questions Respond to the following (50 word minimum). Do not write out the question. 10 points each


9. What is Desdemona like? How do you see her decision to marry Othello? How does she behave towards the different men and women in her environment?

10. Look closely at Iago's speeches, both in soliloquy and to others: what do they reveal about him? Is there anything we can tell about his inner self? Iago's motivation is a notorious critical question. What do you think motivates him? (be sure to respond to each facet of the question)

11. How do Iago’s speeches affect what we think of other characters? Do they? Why is he such a masterful manipulator? What is it in people he appeals to? Your answer may be different for different characters.

12. Trace the progression of the handkerchief throughout he play? Why is the handkerchief so important? What do different people say about it? What does is represent in the story?

13. How do you see Othello's behavior during the murder scene? What does his language tell us about him? How would you respond to the scene if you were watching this on a stage? How might an early modern audience have responded?

14. How do you see Desdemona's death? What is she like during these defining moments? What do you think Othello's last words tell us about him?

15. Think about Iago’s last words in the play? What do they tell us? How do they guide us in interpreting the significance of what happened? What do we (and the Venetians) learn from these events?