Othello Comprehension Exercises

Introduction

If you are reading the play for the first time in class, you can use these comprehension questions to become more comfortable and confident with the characters and plot as you progress through the script. They are also great revision aid before you sit an assessment because you are expected to recall key moments and comment on their significance.

Act 1

(I.i)

1. Look again at the opening of the play and suggest why Iago despises Othello.
2. What is Iago’s opinion of Cassio?
3. Explain why Iago intends to continue to serve his General.
4. Why does Iago want to provoke Brabantio?
5. In your own words, describe Iago’s representation of Othello and Desdemona’s relationship.
6. Why does Brabantio assume “charms” have been used to steal his daughter?

(I.ii)

7. What do you think Iago is hoping to achieve by claiming Brabantio spoke in “scurvy and provoking terms” about Othello.
8. What are your first impressions of the protagonist? Consider his reaction to Iago’s claims and why he will be able to “out-tongue his complaints”.
9. Why has Cassio been searching for the General?
10. Brabantio arrives to apprehend Othello. What the accusations?

(I.iii)

11. How does Shakespeare create a sense of urgency and danger at the start of the third scene?
12. Why has the Duke of Venice summoned Othello to the council chamber?
13. In your own words, describe what happens when Brabantio accuses Othello.
14. Read the protagonist’s speech beginning with the line “Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors” What does the audience learn about Othello’s past?
15. Why does Brabantio think it is impossible for Desdemona to marry Othello?
16. What do you we learn about Othello and Desdemona’s relationship?
17. Why did Othello marry Desdemona?
18. Explain Desdemona’s “divided duty” in your own words.
19. Why does Desdemona want to follow Othello the Cyprus?
20. What dire warning does Brabantio give Othello before he leaves?
21. Why does Iago want Roderigo to “put money in thy purse”?
22. Look again at Iago’s soliloquy. Why does Iago “hate the Moor”?

ACT 2

(II.i)

1. How does Shakespeare create a sense of chaos at the start of the second act?
2. What has happened to the Turkish fleet?
3. Why does Shakespeare include a sardonic discussion about women at this point in the play?
4. Think about the way Cassio greets Emilia and Desdemona. What does it suggest about his character?
5. Othello arrives and greets his wife: “If it were now to die, / ‘Twere now to be most happy”. What might this line suggest about the rest of the play?
6. The scene concludes with another soliloquy. What new reasons does Iago give for hating Othello? Is he a motiveless malignity?

(II.iii)

7. How does Iago convince Cassio to drink more wine?
8. Suggest why Cassio and Roderigo are fighting?
9. How does Iago manage to blame Cassio for the violence and remain his “honest” friend?
10. Although he has been demoted, what upsets Cassio the most?
11. How does Iago advise Cassio to regain his “place” and Othello’s love?
12. His advice might be “free” and “honest”, but what is Iago’s plan?
13. Why is Roderigo despondent?
14. How does Iago soothe Roderigo’s anger?
15. Iago adds a few more details to his plan at the end of scene. Describe his intentions in your own words.

ACT 3

(III.i)

1. Why has Cassio hired musicians?
2. What is Othello’s response to the noise?
3. What is the function of this bawdy exchange between the musician and the clown?
4. According to Emilia, what reason does Othello give for demoting Cassio?
5. Why do think Cassio wants to have “some brief discourse” with Desdemona? Have a look at the start of (III.iii) if you are not sure.

(III.ii)

6. Why did Shakespeare feel the need to include a scene with Othello sending letters to the senate and expressing the need to examine the fortifications?

(III.iii)

7. Why will Desdemona speak to Othello on Cassio’s behalf?
8. Why does Cassio leave when Othello arrives?
9. How does Iago exploit Cassio’s sharp exit?
10. What do you think about Desdemona’s attempt to persuade Othello to reinstate Cassio?
11. Describe how Iago begins to raise doubts about Cassio’s integrity.
12. Why is Othello becoming increasingly angry? Consider phrases such as “he echoes me”, “yet there’s more in this”, and “By heaven, I’ll know thy thoughts”.
13. Why does Iago remind Othello about the way Desdemona deceived her father?
14. Why does Othello ask Iago to “set on thy wife to observe” Desdemona?
15. How do think the protagonist feels at this point? Pay attention to his question “Why did I marry”.
16. Read Othello’s soliloquy beginning “This fellow’s of exceeding honesty”. Describe his thoughts in your own words.
17. What is Emilia’s response to finding the handkerchief?
18. How might the audience react to Iago’s treatment of his wife in this scene?
19. Why does Othello need “ocular proof” about the affair?
20. After demanding a “living reason” for Iago’s suspicions, what sort of “proof” does the soldier provide at this point?
21. What new information does Iago add to “thicken other proofs”?
22. Is there any irony in the fact Othello kneels before Iago?
23. By the end of (III.iii). Othello is ready to kill Desdemona because of her infidelity. Do you think Shakespeare was able to convince the audience the General had changed from the doting husband to thoughts of murder?

(III.iv)

24. What is the function of the witty exchange between Desdemona and the Clown.
25. Suggest why Emilia says she does not know where the handkerchief was lost.
26. Read the duologue between Othello and Desdemona carefully and try to imagine what each character is thinking at different points of the argument.
27. What is the history of the handkerchief? Are you convinced by Othello’s tale?
28. What is Emilia’s cynical opinion of men?
29. Describe the relationship between Cassio and Bianca.

ACT 4

(IV.i)   

1. What are the bold claims Iago is now making about Desdemona and Cassio?
2. How might the actor playing Othello deliver the lines before the character “falls in a trance”?
3. Explain how Iago manages to convince Othello that Cassio is being chased by Desdemona?
4. What is Othello’s reaction to this “proof”?
5. Why has Lodovico arrived in Cyprus?
6. Comment on Othello’s despicable treatment of Desdemona in this scene.

(IV.ii)

7. Why is Othello interrogating Emilia?
8. Why does he refuse to believe Desdemona’s claims of innocence?
9. Why is Roderigo angry?
10. Explain Iago’s latest scheme in your own words.
11. Why does Iago need to get rid of Cassio?

(IV.iii)

12. What sort of mood is created when Desdemona sings the “Willow Song”?
13. Describe Emilia’s view of the world in your own words.

ACT 5

(V.i)    

1. How does Iago justify the deaths of Roderigo and Cassio at the start of the final act?
2. What happens when Roderigo attacks Cassio?
3. Why might the director instruct Iago to wound Cassio?
4. What reason does Iago give for attacking Roderigo?

(V.ii)

5. Why does Othello think he is saving Desdemona by killing her?
6. Then why does he say “It is too late” for her to pray?
7. How might Othello react to the news Cassio is still alive?
8. Suggest why Desdemona refuses to blame Othello for her murder?
9. Why does Othello admit to murdering his wife?
10. Do you think Emilia was really ignorant that her husband was “false” or is she trying to distance herself from Iago’s “pernicious soul”?
11. Why does Iago try to silence Emilia?
12. Why does Othello attack Iago?
13. Why does Shakespeare include the letter in Roderigo’s pockets where he confesses his role in Iago’s schemes?
14. Why does Iago refuse to talk?
15. Look carefully at the dialogue. How does Othello regain some of his greatness?

Final Thoughts

Responding to comprehension questions is great way to engage with key aspects of the play, especially the more difficult passages. You can improve the fluency of your writing by using the words of the question in your answers. Remember, your ideas also need to be supported by appropriate quotations.

You can try our Othello essay questions for more in-depth analysis and to develop your ability to construct and sustain an interpretation of the whole play.