Act IV Othello

Othello calls Desdemona "fine," "fair," and "sweet" at the beginning of this scene. Why?

• These words all have a positive connotation-- he is reminding himself why he loves Desdemona.

• These words all have a positive connotation-- he feels betrayed by Desdemona who seemed good but who he now believes to be evil.

• These words all have a negative connotation. They reveal Desdemona's true nature as a deceitful, pathological liar.

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Othello tells Iago "I would have him nine years a-killing!" Who is Othello talking about him, and what does he mean?

• He is using a simile to compare Iago to the world's best soldier, justifying his new promotion.

• He is using hyperbole to illustrate his anger for Cassio-- if he could, he would kill him over and over again for nine years.

• He is using personification to explain how the past nine years has worn him down and gotten him to this point.

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WHY does Iago want Othello to murder Desdemona with his own hands instead of poisoning her? How does this characterize Iago?

• Iago wants Othello to murder Desdemona with his own hands because it is the most readily available option, and that way Othello doesn't have to figure out how to get poison.

  This section characterizes Iago as thoughtful and kind.

• Iago wants Othello to murder Desdemona with his own hands because Iago's plan is to ruin Othello's life, and this way, he will experience her death first hand. It will also be easier to "catch" Othello in the act of killing her, and ruin Othello's high standing with Venice. This section characterizes Iago as heartless and conniving.

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Why does Iago call Cassio his "friend" when he agrees to kill him?

• He loves Cassio and is truly sad that Cassio must die.

• He recognizes that Cassio is a good person even though he must die to complete his plan.

• Saying that Cassio is his friend makes it seem that he is making a sacrifice by killing someone he loves, demonstrating his loyalty to Othello.

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Words connected to "heaven" and "hell" come up multiple times throughout Act IV. Which of the following is NOT true about why these words are repeated?

• Heaven is associated with goodness and faithfulness (Desdemona's true character), while hell is associated with sin and lust (what Othello believes about Desdemona).

• Othello is so mad at Desdemona that he wants her to "damn herself" by committing a sin before he kills her so that she goes to hell and not to heaven.

• Othello believes that God will punish Desdemona on his own without any help from Othello himself, so he's letting her know that she's in trouble.

• Othello believes in the lies that Iago is perpetuating, so he sees her as a devil.

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What kind of conflict is created when Othello snaps at Desdemona in front of the emissaries from Venice (her uncle and her cousin Lodavico).

• Person vs. nature: Othello is rebelling against his true, tranquil nature because he knows that justice must be restored.

• Person vs. society: The way Othello treats Desdemona causes the emissaries to doubt Othello's state of mind and further isolates him from everyone else.

• Person vs. self: Desdemona begins to doubt herself, wondering if she might be doing things she doesn't realize in her sleep.

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Here, Desdemona asks Othello a direct question: "With whom have I been false (unfaithful)?"

Othello refuses to answer her.

How does Shakespeare characterize both Desdemona and Othello here? Choose the BEST answer.

• Through her actions, Shakespeare characterizes Desdemona as caring and loving. She sees that Othello is in agony, and she wants to give him the opportunity to talk about it.

  Through his inaction, Shakespeare characterizes Othello as fearful, secretive, and mean. He doesn't ask her about his fears directly, but he continues to treat her as if she was cheating.

• Through her actions, Shakespeare characterizes Desdemona as a liar and manipulator. She is gaslighting Othello into believing that she is faithful.

  Through his speech, Shakespeare characterizes Othello as vulnerable and sad. He knows that Desdemona is cheating, and he wishes she would just come out and say it.

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At the end of Act IV, Roderigo tells Iago that he does not believe Iago has been truthful with him. He says that he will tell Desdemona what they have been up to, and he will ask her to return the presents he gave her: dresses, jewels, love letters, etc. What conflict does this ultimatum present for Iago?

• Person v Person between Iago & Roderigo - Iago loves Roderigo like a brother, and now Roderigo does not trust that Iago has his best interests in mind. This accusation hurts Iago's feelings and damages their relationship.

• Person v Person between Roderigo & Desdemona - Desdemona will finally have to tell Roderigo that she is not interested in him, and he may not react well to her rejection.

• Person v Person between Iago and EVERYONE - If Roderigo tells Desdemona that he wants all his stuff back, she will be like, "What stuff?" and Roderigo will know for sure that Iago is a liar. And then he'll tell everyone, and no one will trust Iago again, and the plan of revenge will fall apart. And he'll also kill Iago.

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How did Iago trick Othello into thinking Cassio was gloating and bragging about his affair with Desdemona?

• He asked Cassio about Bianca
• He told Cassio to tell the truth
• No tricking was necessary
• He mimicked Cassio's voice

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Why was Bianca angry with Cassio?

• She thought another woman gave him the handkerchief
• She thought he was playing checkers with Desdemona
• He went away to war
• He wouldn't marry her

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