OTHELLO EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
ACCURATE ANSWERS
'It is too simplistic to label Iago the villain of the play. He merely exploits the
weaknesses and hypocrisies of others.'
How far do you agree with this view of Iago's part in the play? correct answer
'Othello's virtue and valour ultimately make him admirable'
By considering Shakespeare's presentation of Othello, to what extent do you
agree with this view? correct answer
"Desdemona becomes a stereotype of female passivity" correct answer
"Desdemona is too passive for the audience to feel any sympathy for her" In light
of this statement, explore Shakespeare's dramatic presentation of Desdemona.
correct answer Judgement: The audience feels sympathy for her regardless of
whether she is active (Act 1 & 2) or passive (Act 3 - 5) because she never does
anything wrong, her downfall is caused by external forces she cannot control and
she becomes the victim of unjustified, misogynistic jealousy and hypermasculinity.
Paragraph One: Act I
Judgement: In Act I, it is easy for the audience to feel sympathy for Desdemona as
she stands up for herself and stands her ground.
-"divided duty" alliteration, Ao3 women belonged either to their fathers or their
husbands - strong for standing her ground as women could usually only get
married if their father approved
, -"Let me go with him" simple, monosyllabic statement, illustrates her strength -
she is not passive and audience feels sympathy
Paragraph Two: Acts II - IV
Judgement: Now that Desdemona is married, she becomes increasingly passive,
especially when she is interacting with Othello, but that does not cause the
audience to have less sympathy for her
-in the beginning of Act II, she defends herself and Emilia from Iago's sexist jokes
"fie upon thee, slanderer!" - still somewhat active
-then, Othello objectifies her "fruits are to ensue" before they consummate their
marriage and in Act III, she barely speaks when Othello is there, only with Cassio
and sometimes Emilia - also makes audience feel sympathy for her, she tries to
help everyone because she is the "perfect woman" (Bradley) "If I do perform a
friendship, I'll perform it" (dramatic irony)
> she wants to help but is dismissed and that desire to help leads to her downfall
because Othello is convinced she is promiscuous (Marilyn French would argue this
is because Othello doesn't understand Desdemona's feminine energy and her
desire to help everyone)
Paragraph Three: Act V
Judgement: Some argue her death makes her look wea
Explore how sexuality is portrayed in 'Othello' correct answer 1. Sexuality used as
a racist stereotype against Othello which he needs to defend himself from.
2. Sexuality is Iago's key motive for acting out his revenge upon Othello.
3. Sexuality is used to oppress women, but some liberate themselves from it.
ACCURATE ANSWERS
'It is too simplistic to label Iago the villain of the play. He merely exploits the
weaknesses and hypocrisies of others.'
How far do you agree with this view of Iago's part in the play? correct answer
'Othello's virtue and valour ultimately make him admirable'
By considering Shakespeare's presentation of Othello, to what extent do you
agree with this view? correct answer
"Desdemona becomes a stereotype of female passivity" correct answer
"Desdemona is too passive for the audience to feel any sympathy for her" In light
of this statement, explore Shakespeare's dramatic presentation of Desdemona.
correct answer Judgement: The audience feels sympathy for her regardless of
whether she is active (Act 1 & 2) or passive (Act 3 - 5) because she never does
anything wrong, her downfall is caused by external forces she cannot control and
she becomes the victim of unjustified, misogynistic jealousy and hypermasculinity.
Paragraph One: Act I
Judgement: In Act I, it is easy for the audience to feel sympathy for Desdemona as
she stands up for herself and stands her ground.
-"divided duty" alliteration, Ao3 women belonged either to their fathers or their
husbands - strong for standing her ground as women could usually only get
married if their father approved
, -"Let me go with him" simple, monosyllabic statement, illustrates her strength -
she is not passive and audience feels sympathy
Paragraph Two: Acts II - IV
Judgement: Now that Desdemona is married, she becomes increasingly passive,
especially when she is interacting with Othello, but that does not cause the
audience to have less sympathy for her
-in the beginning of Act II, she defends herself and Emilia from Iago's sexist jokes
"fie upon thee, slanderer!" - still somewhat active
-then, Othello objectifies her "fruits are to ensue" before they consummate their
marriage and in Act III, she barely speaks when Othello is there, only with Cassio
and sometimes Emilia - also makes audience feel sympathy for her, she tries to
help everyone because she is the "perfect woman" (Bradley) "If I do perform a
friendship, I'll perform it" (dramatic irony)
> she wants to help but is dismissed and that desire to help leads to her downfall
because Othello is convinced she is promiscuous (Marilyn French would argue this
is because Othello doesn't understand Desdemona's feminine energy and her
desire to help everyone)
Paragraph Three: Act V
Judgement: Some argue her death makes her look wea
Explore how sexuality is portrayed in 'Othello' correct answer 1. Sexuality used as
a racist stereotype against Othello which he needs to defend himself from.
2. Sexuality is Iago's key motive for acting out his revenge upon Othello.
3. Sexuality is used to oppress women, but some liberate themselves from it.
