Othello describes himself as a man not easily made jealous. What is good about the character of Desdemona? Negative? What is it in her that prevents her from laying blame on Othello for her murder? how are women portrayed throughout the play? how does his influence of this show in his actions?
Othello describes himself as a man not easily made jealous. What is good about the character of Desdemona? Negative? What is it in her that prevents her from laying blame on Othello for her murder? how are women portrayed throughout the play? how does his influence of this show in his actions?
Othello describes himself as a man not easily made jealous. What is good about the character of Desdemona? Negative? What is it in her that prevents her from laying blame on Othello for her murder? how are women portrayed throughout the play? how does his influence of this show in his actions?
Othello describes himself as a man not easily made
jealous. What do you make of this statement? Is this an example of his lack of self-knowledge, or is there some truth to this description?
What is good about Desdemona? Negative? What is
it in her that prevents her from laying blame on Othello for her murder?
What is the relationship between Desdemona and
Brabantio like? Is their relationship affected by The fact that Othello is a career soldier has a no real mention of her mother? Othello and profound effect on his character and his responses. Brabantio? How does his influence of this show in his actions?
How are women portrayed throughout the play?
What is the difference between Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca?
How does the setting affect the play? Venice
Cyprus
What is the worst act or lie that Iago does or
tells? Why?
Why is Roderigo a character in the play? Does
he serve a specific purpose? If he was removed, how would that change things?
Discuss the different meanings of honest. Who uses
the word most, and how does it change meaning for different characters? What do you make of Cassio and his character? What is his purpose?
Why do you think Iago is so successful in
deceiving Othello? By skill or luck? What do you think of him being caught in the end but not killed?
Why is Iago so effective as a villain?
What are Iagos motives for hating Othello (the
ones he states and ones that can be inferred)?
What is the significance of the handkerchief? Do
you truly believe it has magical powers?
What causes Othellos downfall? What is his
tragic flaw?
How does Othellos age and race affect his
relationship with Desdemona?
Compare and contrast jealousy in Othello and
Iago.
Are villains and victims equally responsible for the
unhappiness they cause?
Should Othello be pitied? Or does he get what he
deserves?
Discuss the significance of Othello being an
outsider.
How is Iagos language offensive? Explain his
comparison of characters to animals.
Why does Othello never go directly to the source,
Desdemona, about her possible affair? Is this out of character for him? Explain.
Who would you consider to be the tragic hero of
the play? Why?
Are any acts of revenge justified? Why or why
not? Think about history and other literature.
How do the different thematic considerations
(appearance vs. reality, jealousy and betrayal, love, honesty, isolation) influence your interpretation of the play?
Can Iago be considered the main character of a play
that bears the name of another man as the title?
Where does light/dark and black/white come into
play? What is Shakespeares purpose using these contrasts?
What would you define as a theme? What can we
learn from this?
Compare and contrast Othellos suicide with
Desdemonas claim of suicide.
Which couple Othello & Des or Iago & Emilia
would have the greater potential to survive in the real world? Compare and contrast both relationships. Do audiences today demand moral endings to movies and to dramas on TV and stage? What does that show about modern society?
The war between Othello and Iago is
fundamentally a dispute between the goodness and evil of the world. True or False? Why?
Early critics of Othello were disturbed by what
they thought was an immoral ending. Were you satisfied with the ending of the play? Do you see any connections to Romeo and Juliet or A Midsummer Nights Dream. Explain.