Study Questions for Shakespeare's Othello

These questions were originally found at
http://www.jetlink.net/~massij/wssq/othello.html

1. Why is the "romance" of Othello's elopement with Desdemona bracketed by the Iago-Roderigo plotting?
2. Notice the following themes and their uses within the play: witchcraft, knowledge of self and others, rhetorical
    power, loquaciousness. How do they relate to Othello, Iago, Desdemona, and Emilia?
3. At its heart, this is a play about the relationships between 2 couples. How would you characterize each pair's bond with
    each other and with the members of the other pair?
4. When Desdemona offers to go along to Cyprus, Othello swears he will not become uxorious. Does he? Is his
    relationship with Iago in any way comparable to uxoriousness?
5. How clever is Iago? How motivated? Why is he after Othello? Why attack him through Desdemona?
6. Chattiness is generally thought of in this era as a flaw in a woman. How does Emilia's volubility measure up to this
    standard? Why does she give her husband the misplaced handkerchief? What does that hanky represent--red spots and
    all?
7. How innocent is Othello? Cassio?
8. Why does Bianca appear in this play? Where does she appear?

Study Questions by JM Massi, Ph.D.

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This Page Was Last Updated:

March 2, 1997. Don't hold your breath.