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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. What does Othello do to punish Cassio for his fighting?

2. Who does Cassio fight with on his first night in Cyprus?

3. What is the literary function of the Clown in this play?

4. Who is Cassio most worried about when he comes ashore in Cyprus?

5. Who does Iago reveal his entire plan to after everyone else leaves the Duke's court in Cyprus?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Duke decide to do after he has heard Othello and Brabantio's sides of the case against Othello?

2. Why is Othello so happy to see Desdemona when he comes ashore in Cyprus?

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

4. What does Iago tell Montano about Cassio on his first night in Cyprus?

5. What does Roderigo suggest that he and Iago do to try and stop the marriage between Othello and Desdemona?

6. Why is Brabantio so mad at Othello?

7. What is Iago's description of the perfect woman?

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

9. How does Brabantio think Othello got Desdemona to marry him?

10. Why is Othello so torn about firing Cassio?

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

Othello endures a crucible of sorts before the end of the tragedy. What lessons does Othello learn through this experience? How does he learn these lessons? How could he have learned these lessons without causing so much grief? Do you think Othello deserved what he got in the end? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

What role does the handkerchief play in the story and/or what does it symbolize? How is the plot altered by the presence of the handkerchief?

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This section contains 540 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample