WorksheetsOthello Act 1
Total questions: 19
Worksheet time: 22mins
In Act 1, scene i, what motive, or motives, is presented for Iago's dislike of Othello?
Iago is jealous that Othello chose Cassio as his lieutenant.
Iago is jealous that Othello is younger and stronger than he is.
Iago wants Roderigo to believe that he dislikes Othello so Roderigo will continue paying him.
Iago believes that he should be called to war before Othello.
Iago believes that Othello may have slept with his wife.
When Othello is told that he must travel to Cyprus to protect it from the Turks, what do he and Desdemona determine she will do in his absence?
She will be entrusted to Iago, who is to take her to Cyprus to meet Othello.
She will stay with her father until Othello returns.
She will go to sea with Othello and stay with him while he battles the Turks.
She will live in a convent until Othello returns.
She will annul the marriage until he returns and they can get married in a proper ceremony.
Why does Iago run away at the end of Act I, scene i?
Roderigo tells him to leave so he can talk to Brabantio alone.
Brabantio is in a rage and so Iago runs to escape, leaving Roderigo to calm him.
Iago does not want Brabantio to see him with Roderigo because Roderigo is known to be a fool.
Iago knows he cannot be seen with Roderigo because it would reveal that he is working against Othello.
Iago runs ahead to warn Cassio of Othello's marriage and the drama that is likely to ensue.
According to Othello, how did he win Desdemona's heart?
She liked how his looks differed from the Venetians.
She wanted to make Roderigo jealous but fell in love.
She saw Othello as a way to escape the tyranny of her father's house.
She loved listening to Othello's stories of his life and adventures.
She was bored and thought Othello could take her on exciting adventures.
What animals does Iago use to crudely represent Othello and Desdemona when he is shouting to Brabantio?
cat and dog
ram and ewe
hen and duck
chicken and rooster
lion and tiger
What is implied when the Duke says to Brabantio "I didn't see you. Welcome, noble signior" (Act 1, sc iii) after he has greeted Othello?
Brabantio was hidden in the shadows, suggesting his questionable character.
Brabantio is so old that the Duke chose to ignore him.
Othello is such a strong character that he overshadows Brabantio, who, as an elder nobleman, should be addressed first.
The Duke is young and doesn't understand the chain of command in Venetian society.
Identify the TWO lines below that BEST demonstrate Brabantio's racist view of Othello.
You evil thief, where have you hidden my daughter?
Cursed as you are, you must have cast a spell on her - common sense can plainly see that.
If she were not bound by chains of magic, why would such a gentle, beautiful, and happy young girl...risk public ridicule by running away from her safe home to the sooty embrace of such a thing as you are - a frightening man, not a delightful one?
May the world judge whether or not it is perfectly obvious that you must have worked on her with evil spells or harmed her delicate innocence with drugs or other chemicals that weaken a person's mind.
I'll have experts look into it, because it's very probable and obvious when one things about it.
Read this line from Act 1, sc i:
IAGO: ...if I were the Moor, I wouldn't want to be Iago.
Which of the following lines from further into Act 1, sc i, BEST connects to this quote from Iago's earlier speech to Roderigo?
It seems like a bad idea, and one which could jeopardize my position to have to give evidence - as I must, if I don't leave - against the Moor.
I know how the government works; even it it must rebuke him, it doesn't dare dismiss him from his position because he has boarded a ship to go fight in the battles for Cyprus...truly, they have no one else as capable as he is to carry out their battle plans.
...although I hate him as much as I hate hell's torments, yet, because of the present circumstances, I must act as if I am his close friend although I am actually only pretending.
If you want to be sure to find him, go to the Sagitarry Inn with a search party, and I will be with him there.
Read the following lines from Act 1, sc ii.
OTHELLO: Not I, I must be found by theme. My personal merits, my title, and my clear conscience shall testify for me. Is it they?
IAGO: By Janus, I don't think it is.
Janus is a Roman god, one of many, like Jupiter, Apollo, Venus, and Vulcan. Why did Shakespeare include this oath?
To characterize Iago as deceptive by having him call on a two-faced God.
To characterize Iago as well-educated by demonstrating his knowledge of classical mythology.
To characterize Iago as spiritual by demonstrating his knowledge of Roman deities.
To characterize Iago as fearful by having him call on Janus for protection.
Read the following from Act 1, sc iii:
OTHELLO: ...Desdemona would listen most closely to all these things, and when household matters would call her away she would, if possible, deal with them quickly and come again and devour my tales with a hungry ear. I observed this, I took a favorable time and gave her the chance to ask me to tell her the full story of my adventures. She heard portions but had not been able to hear in full. I consented and often moved her to tears...She thanked me and urged me, if I should have a friend that care for her, to teach him how to tell my story and so to woo her. Upon hearing this hint, I spoke up. She loved me for the dangers I had experienced, and I loved her because she pitied me. This is the only "witchcraft" I have used.
According to Othello's story of falling in love with Desdemona, what can we expect will be the dynamic of their relationship?
Protector and protected
Victim and empathizer
Master and servant
Equals
Cat and mouse
Read the following lines from Act 1:
RODERIGO: Bah! Don't even speak to me! I am very angry, that after I've let you, Iago, spend my money as if it were your own, you already knew about this.
IAGO: God's blood! You just aren't listening to me. If I had even imagined it, you'd have every right to despise me.
Based on these opening lines from Othello, what can we infer about the relationship between Iago and Roderigo?
Roderigo hates Iago but is using him to get what he wants.
Iago and Roderigo are friends but keeping secrets from each other.
Roderigo is suspicious of Iago and Iago is using Roderigo for his money.
Roderigo is dominant and Iago always has to placate him and keep him happy.
At the end of Act 1, Iago makes the initial steps of his plan known to the audience. What does this involve?
Telling Othello that Cassio is getting too friendly with his wife Desdemona.
Telling Othello that Montana is getting too friendly with his wife Desdemona.
Telling Othello that he himself as feelings for Desdemona.
Telling Othello that Roderigo is getting too friendly with his wife Desdemona.
In Act 1, why has the Duke sent for Othello?
He knows Othello has married Desdemona and he will force an annulment.
He must have an answer about who will become the next lieutenant.
He needs Othello's help with the pending Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
Brabantio has asked the Duke to question Othello about his marriage.
Read the following line from Act 1, sc iii:
OTHELLO: Desdemona would listen closely to all these things, and when household matters would call her away she would, if possible, deal with them quickly and then come again and devour my tales with a hungry ear.
Which line from earlier in Act 1 contradicts Othello's statement above?
Most honored, grave, and reverend signiors, my very noble and trustworthy good masters, it is very true that I have taken away this old man's daughter, and it is also true that I have married her.
I am unskilled in speaking and not especially gifted in forming the gentle phrases of peace.
...my strength has been devoted to battle, and I have little knowledge of the great world aside from matters concerning uprisings and battles.
...by your gracious patience, I will tell you the plain story of my whole course of love...
How does the escalating war in Cyprus reflect the events of Act 1? Identify the TWO connections.
The Duke is unsure how to handle the war in Cyprus just as Othello is unsure how to react to Iago.
The unknown danger of the upcoming war reflects the hidden menace - the larger conflict - in Act 1.
The conflict between the Turks ( a Muslim country) and Venice (a Christian country) mirrors the conflict between Othello (a former Muslim) and Brabantio (a Christian).
The Turkish ships heading toward Cyprus symbolize Othello and Desdemona.
Identify the TWO lines from Act 1, sc i, below in which Iago explains the logic behind his manipulating Othello by appearing to be a loyal servant.
Oh, sir, don't worry, I only remain under his command in order to get even with him. We can't all be leaders, and not every leader will be loyally followed.
You will see many an obedient and bowing rascal that (loving his own submissive bondage) puts in his time, much like his master's ass, for nothing but his meals, and when he's old, he's dismissed. I'd like to take a whip to that kind of honest servant!
There are others who, giving every appearance in manner and even facial expression of being obedient still look out for themselves, and only giving an outward show of loyalty to their masters, watch out for their own prosperity, and when they have secretly lined their own pockets, become their own masters.
In serving him, I actually serve only myself.
Read the following passage from the play and identify how Iago attempts to manipulate Iago.
IAGO: It's only lust of your body which your will has permitted. Come, be a man. Drown yourself? You'd be better off drowning cats and blind puppies! I have said I am your friend, and I assure you I am bound to you with ropes of enduring strength. Put money in your pocket! Go to war with the soldiers. Change your appearance with a false beard. I tell you, put money in your pocket. Desdemona won't continue to be in love with the Moor for very long - put money in your pocket - nor will his love for her last. it had an abrupt beginning and you shall see an equally sudden ending - just put money in your pocket. The "food" which tastes as delicious as carob will soon be as sour as crab apple. She is young and fickle. When she has glutted herself on his body, she will see how wrong she was. She'll want something different. Yes, she will. So fill your pockets with money. If you have to send yourself to hell, find a better way to do it than by drowning. Make all the money you can.
Iago tells Roderigo to join the battle in Cyprus, to enlist using a disguise to conceal his identity, so that Iago can be his commanding officer.
Iago uses profane language when describing Desdemona in an attempt to enrage Roderigo.
Iago uses repetition to convince Roderigo to make even more of his money available to Iago's use.
He tells Roderigo to go drown cats and blind puppies so that he will understand how ridiculous he has been.
What does the following conversation from Act 1 reveal about Roderigo?
RODERIGO: Most honored signior, do you know my voice?
BRABANTIO: No, I don't. Who are you?
RODERIGO: My name is Roderigo.
BRABANTIO: You aren't welcome here. I have ordered you not to hang around my house. You have heard me plainly tell you that you cannot marry my daughter, and now, like some madman stuffed with your supper and drunk on alcohol, you defy me and come in anger to disturb my rest.
Roderigo has already tried to woo Desdemona and failed.
Roderigo is a wealthy man who likely got his money dishonestly.
Roderigo has a drinking problem.
Brabantio doesn't want anyone to marry Desdemona.
What literary device does Shakespeare use very effectively in Act 1 to create suspense?
situational irony
dramatic irony
verbal irony
ironic understatement
