Othello Scene Summaries and Key
Quotes Questions With Correct
Update
Act 1 scene 1
Basic summary +key quotes - Correct AnswersBasic Summary:
-Begins on a street in Venice, in the midst of an argument between Roderigo and Iago.
-Iago reassures his hatred for Othello and identifies the reason as being Othello's recent
promotion of Michael Cassio to the post of lieutenant
-Iago convinces Roderigo to conjure mayhem by rousing Desdemona's family against
Othello.
-Iago speaks in *inflammatory terms
Key quotes
-'thieves, thieves, thieves !'
-'Even now, now, very now, an old black ram /Is tupping your white ewe!'
-'This accident is not unlike my dream'
Significance of Act 1 Scene 1 - Correct Answers-The audience must rely on Iago's
descriptions of Othello and Cassio... makes Othello's goodness even more unbelievable
in the next scene.
-Shakespeare introduces possible motives for Iago... but they all seem insufficient--->
talk about how they change throughout the play (Samuel Taylor Coleridge --> 'the
motive hunting of motiveless malignity.'
-*Clandestine meeting*/takes place in the dark... sets an ominous tone for the whole
play
-the use of inflammatory racist slurs...how will the audience feel about this ?
-Iago's peculiar philosophy is revealed.
Act 1 scene 2
Basic summary +key quotes - Correct Answers-Iago arrives at Othello's lodgings, and
warns him that Brabantio will not hesitate to attempt to force a divorce between Othello
and Desdemona.
-Cassio and officers arrive from the Venetian court. They bring Othello the message that
he is wanted by the duke of Venice about a matter concerning Cyprus, an island in the
Mediterranean Sea controlled by Venice.
-Branbantio, Roderigo and officers arrive soon after, there is a brief confrontation,
Brabantio accuses Othello of witchcraft, Othello agrees to have direct confrontation with
the Duke
, -'My parts , my title and my perfect soul/Shall manifest me rightly'
-'Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them'
-'Thou hast practised on her foul charms'
-'A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.'
-'But look what lights come yond'
Significance of Act 1 Scene 2 - Correct Answers-Iago establishes himself as the
machiavelli ... when he plays the part of turning on Roderigo
-the audience observe the nobility of Othello
-excitement created the mention of Cyprus and war
-themes of the domestic vs the professional...'Mine's not an idle cause.'
-This scene can be linked to the Bible ...John 18:11
Act 1 scene 3 - Correct Answers-An exchange between the Duke, senator and Sailors
takes place, highlighting the imminent threat of the Turks who are heading towards
Cyprus.
-Military meeting is interrupted by Brabrantio. He accuses Othello of witchcraft and
Othello is put on the spot.
-Desdemona enters and claims Othello's statement to be true.
-Othello is set to sail out to Cyprus, Desdemona and Iago are to arrive on a different
ship thereafter.
-Exit Desdemona and Othello. Rodrigo and Iago have a private conversation. Iago
repeatedly reminds Roderigo to put money in his purse and convinces Roderigo to not
commit suicide.
-'the cannibals that each other eat'
-'men whose heads /Do grow beneath their shoulders'
-'I think this tale would win my daughter too'
-'my ancient: A man he is of honesty and trust'
-'Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see:/she has deceived her father, and may
thee.'
-'Put money in thy purse'
Significance of Act 1 Scene 3 - Correct Answers-the imminent wars highlights Othello's
value as a soldier
-the domestic vs the professional !!!!
-Othello's nobility and Megalopsychia, mastery of the *rhetoric* is revealed !!!
-Othello establishes Iago as trustworthy --> the true cause of his downfall
-Iago has a soliloquy...the rhyming couplet sets his plans into motion... 'Hell and
night/Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light.'
Act 2 Scene 1 - Correct Answers-On the shores of Cyprus, Montano, the island's
governor observes a storm which destroys the turkish fleet of ships.
Quotes Questions With Correct
Update
Act 1 scene 1
Basic summary +key quotes - Correct AnswersBasic Summary:
-Begins on a street in Venice, in the midst of an argument between Roderigo and Iago.
-Iago reassures his hatred for Othello and identifies the reason as being Othello's recent
promotion of Michael Cassio to the post of lieutenant
-Iago convinces Roderigo to conjure mayhem by rousing Desdemona's family against
Othello.
-Iago speaks in *inflammatory terms
Key quotes
-'thieves, thieves, thieves !'
-'Even now, now, very now, an old black ram /Is tupping your white ewe!'
-'This accident is not unlike my dream'
Significance of Act 1 Scene 1 - Correct Answers-The audience must rely on Iago's
descriptions of Othello and Cassio... makes Othello's goodness even more unbelievable
in the next scene.
-Shakespeare introduces possible motives for Iago... but they all seem insufficient--->
talk about how they change throughout the play (Samuel Taylor Coleridge --> 'the
motive hunting of motiveless malignity.'
-*Clandestine meeting*/takes place in the dark... sets an ominous tone for the whole
play
-the use of inflammatory racist slurs...how will the audience feel about this ?
-Iago's peculiar philosophy is revealed.
Act 1 scene 2
Basic summary +key quotes - Correct Answers-Iago arrives at Othello's lodgings, and
warns him that Brabantio will not hesitate to attempt to force a divorce between Othello
and Desdemona.
-Cassio and officers arrive from the Venetian court. They bring Othello the message that
he is wanted by the duke of Venice about a matter concerning Cyprus, an island in the
Mediterranean Sea controlled by Venice.
-Branbantio, Roderigo and officers arrive soon after, there is a brief confrontation,
Brabantio accuses Othello of witchcraft, Othello agrees to have direct confrontation with
the Duke
, -'My parts , my title and my perfect soul/Shall manifest me rightly'
-'Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them'
-'Thou hast practised on her foul charms'
-'A Turkish fleet, and bearing up to Cyprus.'
-'But look what lights come yond'
Significance of Act 1 Scene 2 - Correct Answers-Iago establishes himself as the
machiavelli ... when he plays the part of turning on Roderigo
-the audience observe the nobility of Othello
-excitement created the mention of Cyprus and war
-themes of the domestic vs the professional...'Mine's not an idle cause.'
-This scene can be linked to the Bible ...John 18:11
Act 1 scene 3 - Correct Answers-An exchange between the Duke, senator and Sailors
takes place, highlighting the imminent threat of the Turks who are heading towards
Cyprus.
-Military meeting is interrupted by Brabrantio. He accuses Othello of witchcraft and
Othello is put on the spot.
-Desdemona enters and claims Othello's statement to be true.
-Othello is set to sail out to Cyprus, Desdemona and Iago are to arrive on a different
ship thereafter.
-Exit Desdemona and Othello. Rodrigo and Iago have a private conversation. Iago
repeatedly reminds Roderigo to put money in his purse and convinces Roderigo to not
commit suicide.
-'the cannibals that each other eat'
-'men whose heads /Do grow beneath their shoulders'
-'I think this tale would win my daughter too'
-'my ancient: A man he is of honesty and trust'
-'Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see:/she has deceived her father, and may
thee.'
-'Put money in thy purse'
Significance of Act 1 Scene 3 - Correct Answers-the imminent wars highlights Othello's
value as a soldier
-the domestic vs the professional !!!!
-Othello's nobility and Megalopsychia, mastery of the *rhetoric* is revealed !!!
-Othello establishes Iago as trustworthy --> the true cause of his downfall
-Iago has a soliloquy...the rhyming couplet sets his plans into motion... 'Hell and
night/Must bring this monstrous birth to the world's light.'
Act 2 Scene 1 - Correct Answers-On the shores of Cyprus, Montano, the island's
governor observes a storm which destroys the turkish fleet of ships.
