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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 is the shortest scene in Act 3?

2. What makes Iago so happy when he hears of Othello's odd behavior towards Desdemona?

3. In her conversation with Cassio right before Othello leaves, what does Desdemona say she will make Othello's every moment about?

4. What does Iago tell Othello to do when Cassio comes in after Othello has reacted to Iago's lie about Cassio's bragging?

5. What does Othello tell Desdemona to do after the walk after dinner?

Short Essay Questions

1. What part did Cassio play in Othello and Desdemona's courtship?

2. Who does Iago try to frame for the attack on Cassio?

3. What does Desdemona call Iago when she is talking with Cassio about getting his job back?

4. Who is the most villainous person in this play?

5. What does Othello ask Emilia before he questions Desdemona about her affair?

6. Who are Cassio and Iago talking about while Othello thinks they are discussing Desdemona?

7. What does Othello say he needs before believing something negative about Cassio from Iago?

8. What does Othello give to Iago in Act 3, Scene 2?

9. Why does Othello finally tell Desdemona that he will consider forgiving Cassio?

10. What does Desdemona lose that she is worried about finding?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What does Desdemona say as she is dying and how does this statement affect Othello? How do these last words change the outcome of the play?

Essay Topic 2

Othello is outraged when he overhears a conversation between Iago and Cassio. Explain this scene. How does Othello react to this conversation? Why does he feel this way? How does this one conversation change the outcome of the entire play?

Essay Topic 3

Why might Shakespeare have allowed Iago to live at the end of the play when so many others died? What kind of message does this send? Should Iago have been killed? Why or why not?

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This section contains 535 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample