Truth & Deception

• What theme drives the main action of Othello?

  The theme of truth and deception
• How does Iago manipulate Othello?

  He slithers into Othello’s consciousness and poisons it
• What does Othello's obsession with masculine honor lead to?

  It leads to his downfall as Iago exploits it for revenge
• What action does Othello ultimately take as a result of Iago's manipulation?

  He becomes a murderer
• How does Desdemona's action of hiding her marriage affect the audience's perception of her?

  It suggests she has the capability to lie, setting her up as a perpetrator
• What does Desdemona's father warn Othello about in Act I Scene III?

  He warns that Desdemona has betrayed him and may betray Othello
• What societal expectations contribute to Desdemona being seen as a perpetrator?

  The strong sense of justice within male characters and suspicion surrounding female characters
• What are the characteristics of morality plays that Shakespeare loosely follows in Othello?

  • Microcosms of real social problems
  • One main character symbolic of mankind
  • Characters representing goodness or evil
  • Personification to illustrate consequences of good or evil
  • Support a moral message encouraging virtue

  
• What role do vice characters play in morality plays?

  They represent evil and chaos
• How does Iago symbolize inherent evil in Othello?

  He lacks a clear motive for his revenge plan
• What is dramatic irony in the context of Othello?

  It reveals information only to the audience while other characters remain unaware
• How does Othello experience psychological turmoil in the play?

  He struggles between believing Iago or his wife, Desdemona
• What is the difference between the endings of morality plays and Othello?

  Morality plays typically end with a good moral message, while Othello ends tragically
• How does Othello's tragic flaw relate to his racial outsider status?

  He is under constant scrutiny to uphold his image and reputation
• What does Marvin Rosenberg suggest about Othello's tragic flaw?

  He states that Othello's tragic flaw is that he is human
• What motivates Iago's revenge against Othello?

  His belief that Othello has had an affair with his wife and jealousy over Cassio's promotion
• What does the term 'cuckold' refer to in the context of Othello?

  It refers to a husband whose wife is unfaithful
• How does Iago's duplicity manifest in his actions?

  He maintains a humble façade to gain Othello's trust while plotting against him
• How does Iago's soliloquy reveal his intentions?

  It shows his bad intentions and desire to ensnare all characters in his plan
• What role does Emilia play in Iago's manipulation?

  She unknowingly aids Iago by giving him Desdemona's handkerchief
• How does Iago's evil nature emerge at the end of the play?

  Even his wife turns against him due to his lies about Desdemona
• What does Iago's response to Emilia reveal about his character?

  It shows his delusion in defending his actions as legitimate and harmless
• How do critics differ in their views on Othello's jealousy?

  Some see it as a result of Iago's manipulation, while others see Othello as having autonomy
• What does Samuel Coleridge suggest about Othello's actions?

  He suggests Othello kills Desdemona due to a conviction forced upon him by Iago's manipulation
• How does Iago's repetition of 'Honest?' affect Othello?

  It provokes a reaction in Othello and initiates doubt in his mind
• What does Othello initially believe about Desdemona's innocence?

  He defends her innocence and reiterates his love for her
• What is the significance of the language Iago uses in Act III Scene III?

  It is the initiating factor of doubt in Othello’s mind
• How does Iago's manipulation contribute to the play's central conflict?

  It drives Othello to doubt Desdemona and leads to tragic consequences
• Who claims that Othello is not merely a puppet manipulated by Iago?

  Henry L. Warnken
• What does Henry L. Warnken suggest about Othello's thoughts and feelings?

  They echo Iago's by the middle of the play
• How does Iago's manipulation affect Othello's state of mind?


  It leads Othello to take on Iago's views and hatred
• In which Act and Scene does Iago repeatedly say 'Honest?' to Othello?

  Act III Scene III
• What does Iago's use of the word 'honest' suggest about his character?

  He uses it as a weapon to emphasize his villainy
• What does Othello's defense of Desdemona's innocence reveal about his character at the beginning of Act III Scene III?


  It shows his initial trust and love for her
• How does Othello's reliance on trust and loyalty affect his relationship with Desdemona?


  It creates sensitivities and cracks in their relationship
• What does Othello mean when he says to Iago, 'By heaven, he echoes me, as if there were some monster in his thought'?

  He feels Iago is reflecting his own doubts and fears
• What does Othello's insistence on honesty reveal about his vulnerability to Iago's manipulation?


  It allows Iago to influence him by pretending to be honest
• What does Iago mean when he says, 'Men should be what they seem'?

  He is aware that Othello is falling for his tricks
• How does Iago's statement 'I am not what I am' contrast with his later claim 'Men should be what they seem'?

  It highlights his deceptive nature and manipulation
• What does Iago suggest about honesty when he says, 'honesty's a fool and loses that it works for'?

  He implies that being honest is foolish compared to being cunning