Shakespeare’s “Othello” quiz review

What is Othello’s nationality? He is a Moor (North African)
When do Othello and Desdemona marry? They are secretly married before the play begins
What are Iago’s motivations? At various points in the play, he claims to be motivated by different things: resentment that Othello passed him over for a promotion in favor of Michael Cassio; jealousy because he heard a rumor that Othello slept with Iago’s wife, Emilia; suspicion that Cassio slept with Emilia too.
Who is Michael Cassio? Michael Cassio is Othello’s ancient (lieutenant or second-in-command)
Who is Emilia? Emilia is Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s attendant.
Who is Roderigo? Roderigo is a jealous suitor of Desdemona. Iago uses him during his schemes.
Who is Bianca? Bianca is a courtesan, or prostitute, in Cyprus. Cassio is her favorite customer, but he teases her with promises of marriage but laughs at her behind her back.
Who is Brabantio? Brabantio is Desdemona’s father and a Venetian senator.
Who is Montano? Montano is the governor of Cyprus before Othello. He is a well-respected soldier in the city.
Who is to replace Othello as governor later in the play? Cassio
How does Iago describe Michael Cassio? He knows more about numbers than fighting. He has a pretty wife but he can’t even control her. And he’s definitely never commanded men in battle. He’s got no more hands-on knowledge of warfare than an old woman—unless you count what he’s read in books. His military understanding is all theory, no practice.
What does Iago yell about to wake Brabantio? “Awake! What, ho, Brabantio! Thieves! Thieves!Look to your house, your daughter, and your bags!”
What are Roderigo’s motives? He wants to marry Desdemona.
What does Othello say about his own lineage? He comes from a royal family and is as noble as Desdemona is.
Why does Othello let himself be found by Brabantio and his men early in the play? He trusts that “[his] parts, [his] title, and [his] perfect soul Shall manifest [him] rightly.”
When was the first Quarto Edition of “Othello” published? 1622
When was “Othello” first performed? November, 1, 1604
When was “Othello” written? Between 1601 and 1604
What does Brabantio accuse Othello of doing to get Desdemona to marry him? Of practicing “on her with foul charms, Abused her delicate youth with drugs or minerals That weakens motion.” (He thinks Othello has used black magic to get Desdemona.)
What kind of fleet is approaching Cyprus? A Turkish fleet.
Why does Brabantio say Desdemona could not have married Othello of her own volition? She’s a good girl, quiet and obedient. She blushes at the slightest thing. He doesn’t believe that, despite her young age and proper upbringing, she fell in love with a man he thinks she’d be afraid to look at.
What is the name of the inn Desdemona was fetched from? The Sagittary or Sagittarius Inn
How does Othello say he seduced Desdemona? Desdemona would listen to stories of his life whenever he told Brabantio. Eventually, she said she loved him for the dangers he’d survived, and he loved her for feeling such strong emotions about him.
What is Desdemona’s divided duty? “I do perceive here a divided duty.To you I am bound for life and education.My life and education both do learn meHow to respect you. You are the lord of duty.I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my husband.And so much duty as my mother showedTo you, preferring you before her father,So much I challenge that I may professDue to the Moor my lord.”
What does the Duke say to Brabantio about Othello? “If virtue no delighted beauty lack,Your son-in-law is far more fair than black.”
Where is the play set? In Venice and in Cyprus
What does Iago say he will use to ensnare Cassio into his downfall? Cassio’s own fine manners around women
How are the Turks defeated? Their boats are destroyed and drowned during a storm
Why does Iago “love” Desdemona now? He wants to sleep with her to get revenge because he thinks Othello seduced his wife: “Now, I do love her too,Not out of absolute lust—though peradventureI stand accountant for as great a sin—But partly led to diet my revenge,For that I do suspect the lusty MoorHath leaped into my seat.”
How is Montano injured? He gets injured when he tries to stop a drunk Cassio from fighting.
How does Iago get Desdemona’s handkerchief? Desdemona drops it, and Emilia picks it up and gives to to Iago.
What is significant about the handkerchief? An Egyptian woman gave it to Othello’s mother, and it was the first gift Othello gave to Desdemona. Othello also says that his father gave his mother the handkerchief. Note the discrepancy.
Why is Roderigo unhappy with Iago? He thinks Iago has treated him unfairly because he’s given Iago many jewels to give to Desdemona (spending all his money in the process) and has expected something back from Desdemona.
What’s the name of the song Desdemona cannot get out of her head, and where did she first hear the song? The song is called “Willow,” and she heard it from her mother’s heartbroken maid Barbary.
What happens to Roderigo in Act 5? He attacks Cassio, but Cassio ends up badly wounding him. Iago then stabs him. It is unclear whether Roderigo is still alive because Cassio later says, “There is besides in Roderigo’s letterHow he upbraids Iago, that he made himBrave me upon the watch, whereon it cameThat I was cast. And even but now he spake,After long seeming dead—Iago hurt him,Iago set him on.”
What happens to Cassio in Act 5? After he wounds Roderigo, Iago wounds his leg from behind, crippling him.
Who does Iago claim has something to do with the attack on Cassio? Bianca
What is Desdemona’s fate? Othello kills her by smothering her
What happens to Desdemona’s father? He dies of grief because Desdemona married Othello
What is Emilia’s fate? Iago stabs and kills her. She dies next to Desdemona’s body.
What is Iago’s fate? Othello stabs but doesn’t kill him “For in [his] sense ’tis happiness to die.” He is then taken prisoner and will soon face torture for his crimes.
How does Othello die? He stabs himself in the stomach before anyone can stop him and kisses Desdemona as he dies.
Which characters are dead at the end of the play? Desdemona, Othello, Emilia, and maybe Roderigo (his dying is unclear).
August 13, 2019