Othello

Assignment to have been completed: Students should have completed Act 4.1 of Othello.

Activities:

• A. Administer the quiz over 4.1.

• B. Discuss Act III of Othello. Use the following questions to direct discussion and my answers to evaluate that discussion.

  Scene 4.1

  • 1. Iago says that a woman’s honor is “an essence that’s not seen” (16). What does he mean when he continues, “They have it very oft that have it not” (17)?

    Just as Iago had said he is not what he is, meaning he is not what he seems to be, here he means that though a woman (Desdemona) appear honorable, she may not be so.

  • 2. After Bianca’s appearance and departure, how can you explain the fact that Othello does not conclude that Iago and Cassio have been talking about her rather than about Desdemona? Which of Bianca’s lines could have ended Iago’s plot if Othello had interpreted correctly?

    This is an OPEN QUESTION. Perhaps Iago speaks Desdemona’s name loudly but intones Bianca’s more softly.

    This is an OPEN QUESTION, but you should direct students to lines 140 - 145.

  • 3. What kind of “justice” does Othello see in strangling Desdemona in their bed?

    Othello is probably thinking of retributive poetic justice: Desdemona will pay for her crime where she committed it; she will die by the hand of one who loved her just as she sinned with one who loved her [190 - 192].

  • 4. Explain Othello’s misinterpretation of Desdemona’s expression of pleasure when Lodovico tells her that Cassio is to become governor of Cyprus and Othello is to return home.

    Othello believes Desdemona is happy to see Cassio succeed to the governorship while Othello is recalled to Venice without the reward of the governorship himself.

  • 5. According to Lodovico, for what virtue or virtues is Othello most famous? Why might Shakespeare interject this reminder at this point in the drama?

    Lodovico recalls to the audience’s memory that Othello is famous in Venice for his self-control [247 - 249].

    Shakespeare probably includes these words in order to juxtapose the Othello of life before Iago’s intervention against the present Othello, driven to distraction by jealousy.

Assignment for next class meeting: Read Act 4.2-3 of Othello. Complete study questions.