Characters
This "honest" ensign is actually the mastermind behind nearly every disaster in the play.
Who is Iago?
Iago resents Othello because Othello promoted this man instead of him.
Who is Cassio?
This small embroidered object becomes the ultimate symbol of jealousy and betrayal.
What is the handkerchief?
Iago's description of Othello and Desdemona as animals is an example of this literary device that appeals to the senses.
What is imagery?
This Venetian senator is furious about his daughter's secret marriage.
Who is Barabantio?
This wealthy young man is manipulated because of his obsession with Desdemona.
Who is Roderigo?
Iago gets Cassio drunk during his guard shift in order to do this.
What is ruin his reputation or get him fired?
In Act 4, Othello hides and listens while Iago questions Cassio, misunderstanding Cassio's laughter about this woman.
Who is Bianca?
When Shakespeare references Janus, the Roman god of deception, he is using this literary device.
What is allusion?
Roderigo's character most strongly represents this danger.
What is the danger of obsession?
This lieutenant's reputation is destroyed after a drunken brawl.
Who is Cassio?
Iago advises Cassio to seek Desdemona's help after losing his position, but he secretly plans use this action to accomplish what goal?
What is make Othello believe Desdemona is unfaithful/cheating?
In front of Lodovico, Othello shocks everyone when he does this to Desdemona.
What is he hits/strikes her?
Because the audience knows about Iago's plan while the characters do not, Shakespeare creates this literary effect.
What is dramatic irony?
Desdemona asking for her wedding sheets before bed most clearly serves as this.
What is the foreshadowing of her death?
This maid exposes the truth about the handkerchief-- and pays the ultimate price.
Who is Emilia?
Throughout the play, Iago keeps Roderigo close-- not out of friendship, but because Roderigo is useful in this way.
What is he uses Roderigo to carry out dangerous tasks for him?
In Act 5, Iago convinces Roderigo to do this dangerous task.
What is kill Cassio?
When Othello says he "loved not wisely but too well" he is attempting to present himself as this type of literary figure.
What is the tragic hero?
At the end of the play, Iago is not killed-- instead he faces this fate.
What is arrest and torture?
Even as she is dying, this character protects the man who murdered her.
Who is Desdemona?
Othello wins Desdemona's love by telling emotional stories of his past-- appealing to this rhetorical strategy.
What is pathos?
After hearing the truth about Iago's deception, Othello does this in an attempt to restore his honor.
What is kill himself?
The tragic ending of the play most strongly supports this central theme.
What is jealousy destroys reason and relationships?
Iago warns Othello about this "green-eyed monster" that mocks the meat it feeds on.
What is jealousy?