Othello Questions – Act IV Scene 1

Act IV, Scene 1
1) What are Othello and Iago discussing at the beginning of the scene? What physical reaction does Othello have to Iago’s information?
 
2) Whom do Iago and Cassio discuss while Othello is hiding? What does Cassio say about her? Whom does Othello think they are discussing and why?
 
3) Who enters at the end of Iago’s and Cassio’s conversation? What does she say to Cassio and what does she give him?
 
4) How does Othello plan to kill Desdemona? How does Iago suggest he do it? What is Othello’s response to Iago’s suggestion?
 
5) Who is Lodovico? How does Othello treat Desdemona in Lodovico’s presence, and what does Lodovico say about Othello’s behavior? What does Iago tell Lodovico about Othello’s behavior?

Act 3 scene 3 BIG QUESTION 3

I had rather be a toad

And live upon the vapour of a dungeon

Than keep a corner in the thing I love

For others' uses. (3.3.274-278)

1. How does this scene relate to Othello and hubris (excessive pride - part of the tragic elements)? How might Othello's pride mean he is more concerned by Iago's suggestions about his wife's possible infidelity? Consider:
1. How he reacts to Iago's suggestions once Iago has left, and what he says about Desdemona (262-281)
2. How Othello may feel, knowing that Iago seems to be holding back information about Desdemona - it seems like Iago knows something he does not

Act 3 scene 3 BIG QUESTION 2

She did deceive her father, marrying you,

And when she seemed to shake, and fear your looks

She loved them most. (3.3.209-211)

For she had eyes and chose me. (3.3.192)

1. How do ideas about difference and otherness help Iago's manipulation of Othello in this scene? Consider:
1. How Othello is reminded of the fact that Cassio helped him to woo Desdemona (lines 70-74) (Remember, Othello is insecure about how he speaks compared to Italian people 'rude am I in my speech')
2. How Iago reminds Othello of how different he is to Desdemona (lines 232-242)
3. The reasons Othello thinks that Desdemona may fall out of love with him (lines 267-270)

Act 3 scene 3 BIG QUESTION 1

O beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock
The meat it feeds on. (3.3.167-169)

These questions concern Act 3 scene 3 up to line 303.

opportunist

ɒpəˈtjuːnɪst/

noun

1. 1.

   a person who takes advantage of opportunities as and when they arise, regardless of planning or principle.

   "most burglaries are committed by casual opportunists"

strategist

ˈstratədʒɪst/

noun

1. a person skilled in planning action or policy. A person responsible for implementing a plan or strategy.

   "he is a cunning military strategist"

Reflect on Act 3 scene 3 so far. Do you think Iago is an opportunist or a strategist? You must give reasons for your response, with quotations from the play to support your opinion.

Act 2 scene 3

These questions apply to Act 2 scene 3, lines 1-254. Answer them in full sentences, with quotations. 

1. Iago switches from verse to prose when he speaks with Cassio, and Cassio follows. What does this indicate about the exchange? What might it indicate about Cassio? AO2 LFS
2. What language does Cassio use when speaking about Desdemona? How does it compare to the language Iago uses to sexualise her? Why do you think Iago is speaking about Desdemona in this way to Cassio? (lines 15-25) AO2 LF  
3. How does Iago persuade Cassio to drink? Use your close reading skills to analyse the language he uses. (Note how ‘but’ is used as an adverb here) AO2 LFS
4.  Why does Iago try to subvert the social order and bring others down to his level, rather than try to climb the ladder and raise himself up? Consider ideas about social order at the time AO3, context.
5. Othello says “My blood begins my safer guides to rule/And passion, having my best judgements collied/Assays to lead the way.” (lines 201-203) What does this quotation reveal about the effects of Iago’s knavery in this scene?

       BIG QUESTION: Why is this scene important in relation to the play as a whole?

     Consider:

       How Iago is presented

      What happens in the scene

      What this scene indicates about key characters

Writing your extract responses

In today's lesson we are going to begin writing our first piece of A Level work.

Extract assessment prep and feedback act 2 sc1 from Mr Smith

I have included two example responses to help you recognise the formality and depth required for the higher bands.

EXAMPLE ANSWERS

EXTRACT

The structure of a tragedy

The images below explain the structure of a tragedy. Using this information, apply this structure to Othello and identify the events which fit this model.

Act I: Exposition, Exciting Force, Rising Action

Act II: Rising Action

Act III: Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action

Act IV: Falling Action

Act V: Falling Action, Catastrophe

Exposition
The exposition describes the mood and conditions existing at the beginning of the play. The time and place will be identified as well as the main characters and their positions, circumstances, and relationships to one another.

Exciting Force

Also sometimes called the complication or initial incident, the exciting force is what “gets things going.” The exciting force thus begins the conflict which will continue throughout the play.

Rising Action

The series of events leading to the climax comprise the rising action. These events provide a progressive intensity of interest for the audience. The rising action will involve more than one act.

Climax

The climax represents the turning point of the play. From this point on, the Shakespearean hero moves to his inevitable (often grisly) end.

Falling Action

The falling action includes those events occurring from the time of the climax up to the hero’s death. The episodes will show both advances and declines in the various forces acting upon the hero.

The Catastrophe
The catastrophe concerns the necessary consequences of the hero’s actions (death). The catastrophe will be characteristically simple and brief.