Act II.i Questions

 

After reading II.i, answer the following plot questions and write them in your notebook:

1.    What happened to the Turkish fleet?

2.     Of what does Iago convince Roderigo concerning Desdemona?

3.     What was Iago’s “evidence”?

4.     What does Iago convince Roderigo to do to Cassio?

5.     What is Iago’s plan concerning Othello? Be specific!

Characterizing Othello and Iago

1. Look closely at Othello's monologue in I.iii.149-200. What do we learn about Othello, the man? That is, if you were to describe him to a friend, how would you describe him based on this speech?

2. Similarly, take a look at Iago's monologue at the end of the scene (lines 426-447). What do we learn about his motivation for hating Othello and what is his plan?

For each question, aim for about 4-5 sentences written in your notebook.

Othello Background

Use the following links to answer the questions below. Write you answers in your notebook as we will be going over them on Wednesday.

http://elizabethan.org/
www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/
http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/plays/articles.aspx?&id=83
http://www.taneter.org/moors2.html
 
1. Describe the role of women in England during the Renaissance.

 

2. How would a young woman respond to a request from her father?

 

3.  Who were the Moors?  From where did they come? What were they doing in Europe in the sixteenth century?

 

4. What religious or cultural practices are associated with Moors?

 
5. Describe the Venetians’ relationship with Cyprus during the 1570s.