STUDY GUIDE Act One 1. What is Iago's complaint in Scene I? Michael Cassio was named lieutenant (#2 to Othello). Iago believes he is a better soldier and more deserving, than Cassio (the “book smart” warrior) (All talk and no action) “preferment goes by letter of affection” (It’s who you know). 2. Who is Brabantio, and why do Iago and Roderigo awaken him in the middle of the night? Brabantio is Desdemona’s father; he is “robbed” by a “dark” thief—Iago (hidden and playing on Brabantio’s prejudices) makes many “animal” references to Iago & Desdemona thus taking any beauty out of their relationship: “an old black ram is tupping your white ewe:” “you’ll have your daughter covered with a Barbary horse; you’ll have your nephews neigh to you;” “your daughter and the Moor are now making the beast with two backs” 3. Why does Iago leave Roderigo at Brabantio's house? Iago must leave (and has remained hidden because he cannot appear to be against the Moor. He must appear to be nothing but loyal to Othello. 4. What is Roderigo’s previous relationship with Brabantio and Desdemona? Roderigo courted and is in love with Desdemona. She rejected him and he father is annoyed by his continuing to court her and especially annoyed when awaken in the middle of the night by Roderigo. 5. What is Brabantio's reaction to Othello's marriage to Desdemona? Brabantio is entirely enraged and believes his daughter must be under some “spell” or has been drugged to have decided to sneak off and marry the Moor (such an animal). He gathers his kinsmen and goes to her rescue. He goes to “let loose the justice of the State.” 6. Why does the Duke send for Othello? The Duke sends for Othello (the General) because the Turks are preparing to invade Cyprus. Othello and the troops must prepare the warships for departure. 7. What danger is Cyprus facing? The Turks are preparing to invade Cyprus, critical to the trade and economy of Venice. 8. Brabantio complains to the Duke about Othello's marriage to Desdemona. After listening to both sides of the story, what is the Duke's reply? The Duke admits his own daughter would be won by the valiant stories of Othello. “I think this tale would win my daughter too.” (Act I.iii.-p8) The Duke admires Othello’s skill, nobility and bravery in battle and war affairs. 9. What is Roderigo's complaint, and what is Iago's reply to it? Roderigo is a train-wreck. He is devastated and emotionally broken. He feels ha has no chance for winning Desdemona at this point and wants to kill himself. Iago’s attitude is “just get over it.” In his 28 years he has never seen a “love” worth dying for and has “never found man that knew how to love himself.” “Ere I say I would drown myself for the love of a Guinea-hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon.” (Act I.iii.p13). “Man UP!” “It is merely a lust of blood and a permission of the will. Come, be a man: drown thyself! Drown cats and blind puppies.” (ActI.iii.p14) Furthermore, Desdemona’s love for the Moor will fade; be there and you will win her. Iago also agrees to support Roderigo in this matter because he, too, hates the Moor. 10. Who is Othello, and why is he so respected by the Duke? Othello does not “act” like a stereotypical “moor” or black man of Shakespeare’s times. The Duke respects his military accomplishments and trusts him more than any other as a General to protect the Venetians. The Duke admits that even his own daughter could fall for his honest charms and he further goes on to say to Brabantio, “If virtue no delighted beauty lack, your son-in-law is far more fair than black.” (Act I.iii.p12) 11. What warning does Brabantio give to Othello? “Come hither, Moor: / I here do give thee that with all my heart/ Which, but thou hast already, with all my heart/ I would keep from thee.—For your sake, jewel,/ I am glad at soul I have no other child;/ For thy escape would teach me tyranny, / to hang clogs on them.—I have done, my lord. (Act I.iii.p8). Brabantio does not like it, but must give his daughter to the Moor. Because he reluctantly gives his “jewel” the implication is a warning to treasure the jewel as he has or “else”. [“hang clogs” literally block, obstruction—but also—literally a weight attached to restrict an animals movement.] Brabantio also warns him to beware because she has deceived her father – she is very likely to deceive him as well. “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: / She has deceiv’d her father, and may thee.” (Act I.iii.p12). 12. Othello and Desdemona have just been married. Will they stay together or separate? Othello and Desdemona both strongly profess their love for each other in Act I. Responses, however, will vary based on students’ prior and personal experiences and knowledge. 13. What does Iago say must happen to Desdemona? She must have change. Her love for the Moor will fade. “It cannot be that Desdemona should long continue her love for the Moor,” “…These Moors are changeable in their wills...” “When she is sated with his body, she will find the error of her choice.” Iago advises Roderigo to make money and be ready for her to change. 14. Why does Iago “hate the Moor”? Iago hates the Moor mostly out of jealousy and the fact than he has not chosen Iago as his lieutenant. He would not waste his time on such a sniveling “snipe” (fool) as Roderigo if he could not use him as a pawn for his own profit. In his final soliloquy of Act I, Iago professes his hatred for the Moor and further expresses his suspicions about the Moor’s infidelity with his wife. He articulates his contrived plan to topple the great Othello by turning him against his trusted lieutenant, Cassio. Iago confidently feels that Othello, who readily trusts Cassio, “can be easily lead by the nose” into believing that Cassio is too close to Desdemona, thus making the Moor, completely jealousy and furious with Cassio. This will open the door for Iago to be the most trusted “man” in Othello’s eyes. 15. How would you grade Iago on racial insensitivity? It is quite apparent and clear by the end of Act I that Iago is completely insensitive. He not only lacks racial sensitivity, but sensitivity for all humanity. Iago loves or is sensitive to no one. Act Two 1. Where are we as Act 2 begins? What is the situation at sea? Act II begins at a seaport in Cyprus. Terrible storms are at sea as the Venetian ships arrive. 2. What has happened to the Turkish fleet? The Turkish fleet was separated and completely destroyed by the tempests at sea because they were not bayed and shelters. “News, lads! Our wars are done. The desperate tempest hath so bang’d the Turks/ That their designment halts” (Act II.i.p2). 3. Which ship from Venice arrives first? Michael Cassio’s ship arrives first. 4. Which ship arrives second? Why is it surprising that it arrives before Othello’s? Iago’s ship arrives second. Othello’s ship and Cassio’s ship were traveling together but became separated during the storms. 5. What does the discussion between Desdemona and Emilia tell us about their relationship? Their exchanges reveal a girlish closeness. They are fond of each other. 6. Who is Emilia? Emilia is Iago’s and attendant to Desdemona. 7. How does Cassio greet Desdemona and Emilia? Cassio greets the women with great courtesy and he is happy that they have arrived safely. 8. Why does Iago want Roderigo to anger Cassio? Iago wants Roderigo to engage Cassio into a fight. If Cassio appears to neglect his duties (assigned by Othello) it will contribute to his losing favor in Othello’s eyes. 9. What is the purpose of Iago's plan? Ultimately, his plan is to topple Othello, by winning Othello’s favor and trust. His first plan of action is to use Roderigo as a pawn to lure Cassio into doing something rash, thus losing favor with Othello. As Cassio loses favor with Othello; Iago gains his support. 10. What evidence is Iago using to rationalize his plan? Is his evidence solid? Iago feels cheated by the selection of the “book-smart” Cassio’s selection as lieutenant. He finds the selection not only unjustified, but completely incomprehensible. Because he cannot be trusted, Iago trusts no one, not even his own wife. He also suspects that both Othello and Cassio were lecherous with his wife. He is absolutely incapable of trust and entirely paranoid. He assumes everyone is as manipulative and deceitful as he is. Iago has no solid evidence; it is pure speculation and psychological instability on his part. 11. What keeps Roderigo from seeing the truth instead of Iago’s lies? Roderigo is easily manipulated by Iago because of his lovesickness for Desdemona. Iago simply uses Roderigo’s weaknesses against him. “Now, my sick fool Roderigo, / Whom love hath turn’d almost wrong side out.” (Act II.iii.p3) Roderigo wants to believe Iago’s lies because he desperately wants them to be true. 12. What emotion seems to be governing Iago’s thoughts and actions? Pure and utter jealousy and hated consume Iago’s thoughts.