Quote Interpretation
“I follow him to serve my turn upon him.” (Iago, Act 1, Scene 1)
Iago will pretend to be loyal to Othello, so that he can exact his revenge.
Othello's wife
Who is Desdemona?
He wrote the play Othello.
Who is William Shakespeare?
This is Othello's rank in the Venetian army.
What is a general?
Why do Iago and Roderigo wake Brabantio in the first scene of Othello?
To tell him that his daughter is gone and has secretly married Othello.
The audience knows Iago secretly hates Othello, even while nearly every character refers to him by this misleading title.
What is “honest Iago”?
“Let him do his spite. My services which I have done the signiory Shall out-tongue his complaints.” (Othello, Act 1, Scene 2)
Othello believes that all the good he has done will ensure that he is not harmed by Brabantio's complaints.
He is tricked into giving Iago money to pursue Desdemona’s love.
Who is Roderigo?
This is the city where the play begins.
This is what Othello is referred to as by some characters.
Who is the Moor?
To further his plan against Othello, Iago convinces Cassio to seek this person’s help in regaining his reputation.
Who is Desdemona?
This object, Othello’s first gift to Desdemona, becomes a symbol of love and fidelity.
What is the handkerchief?
"Here’s my husband, And so much duty as my mother showed To you, preferring you before her father, So much I challenge that I may profess Due to the Moor my lord.” (Desdemona, Act 1, Scene 3)
Now that Desdemona is married to Othello, she will be more loyal to him than to her father.
He was given the title of lieutenant in Act 1.
Who is Cassio?
What is a tragedy?
This object, Othello’s first gift to Desdemona, becomes the so-called “ocular proof” of her supposed betrayal.
What is the handkerchief?
This character loses his position as Othello’s lieutenant after getting drunk and fighting Montano.
Who is Cassio?
Iago warns Othello of a “green-eyed monster,” a symbolic image representing this destructive emotion.
What is jealousy?
“I hate the Moor, And it is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets. He has done my office. I know not if ’t be true, But I, for mere suspicion in that kind, Will do as if for surety” (Iago, Act 1, Scene 3)
Iago claims that Othello has slept with his wife, even though he has no evidence for it.
She is Desdemona’s attendant and also Iago’s wife.
Emilia
The story of Othello is one of the first western literary works to deal with this controversial topic.
What is race/racism?
Iago is going to set up this person to make it look like he is having an affair with Desdemona.
Who is Cassio?
This is initially how Brabantio believes Othello won over Desdemona.
What is witchcraft/magic?
Cassio believes Iago is trying to help him regain his position, but the audience knows Iago is really plotting this against him.
What is his downfall?
“Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee.” (Brabantio, Act 1, Scene 3)
Brabantio is warning Othello that Desdemona will betray him, just as Desdemona has betrayed her father.
a senator and Desdemona's father
Brabantio
The name 'Othello' means ______________
wealth
This is what Iago is referred to by some other characters.
Who is honest Iago?
What are the three reasons Iago provides for wanting to get revenge on Othello?
1. He gave the lieutenancy to Cassio.
2. He believes he slept with his wife.
3. He just hates him.
Roderigo trusts Iago to help him win Desdemona’s love, but the audience knows Iago is actually using him for this purpose.
What is money / funding his schemes?
"If virtue no delighted beauty lack, Your son-in-law is far more fair than black."
Duke of Venice
His primary role within the play is to reconcile Othello and Brabanzio in Act I, scene iii, and then to send Othello to Cyprus.
Duke of Venice
The phrase, "I will wear my heart upon my sleeve" is a famous line in the play Othello. What does it mean and who says it?
The phrase "I will wear my heart upon my sleeve" was said by Iago and it means showing your true feelings openly, where everyone can see them. It's like not hiding what you feel inside.
This important event, discussed by the Venetian senators in Act 1, threatens the state and requires Othello’s leadership.
What is the Turkish fleet's attack on Cyprus?
What does Iago tell the audience he plans to use as evidence of an affair between Cassio and Desdemona?
Iago intends to use Desdemona's handkerchief as evidence of an affair between Cassio and Desdemona
Othello praises Iago for being loyal and trustworthy, but the audience knows this is ironic because Iago has already vowed this.
What is to destroy Othello’s happiness / ruin him?