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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How do Iago and Roderigo wake up Brabantio to tell him of the marriage?

2. What are Iago and Roderigo discussing as the first scene opens?

3. What does Iago plan to tell Othello once he is in Cyprus with him?

4. How did Desdemona and Othello spend their time when they were falling in love before their marriage?

5. Who is awakened by the noise that Roderigo causes during the brawl in the street?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Othello do when he sees Cassio's deplorable behavior on his first night in Cyprus?

2. How does the Duke of Cyprus feel about Othello?

3. When we first see Iago speaking with Othello, what does Iago claim to not be?

4. How did Othello and Desdemona meet?

5. What does the message contain that Othello sends out in Act 2, Scene 2?

6. What does Cassio do to cheer himself up after being punished by Othello for his brawl in the street?

7. What is the celebration in Act 2, Scene 2 in honor of?

8. Why is Roderigo so unhappy about Othello's marriage?

9. What does Cassio really want after his hired help is mocked by the clown?

10. Why is Othello at the inn when he receives the summons from the Duke?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bianca was a minor character whose presence made a big difference in the plot. How did she accomplish this? What are some ways that her presence, however brief, alters the outcome of the plot? What would have happened differently if Bianca had not been in the book at all?

Essay Topic 2

Desdemona sings a song that is echoed by Emilia in her death. What is this song? Why is it so significant? Where are the two women when they sing it, and how does it fit the scenes in which it was involved?

Essay Topic 3

Iago has a very specific description of his idea of the perfect woman. What is this description, and what does this suggest about Iago's character? Compare/contrast Iago's idea of the perfect woman to another character's thoughts on the subject.

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This section contains 562 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample