Othello

1) The text tells us that Othello was
a) Great general
b) Black
c) A venetian warrior
d) A wizard

2) Brabentio believes that Othello must have performed witchcraft upon Desdemona because
a) He saw him give her a potion
b) His battle victories were all magical
c) He can’t understand how else Desdemona could have loved him
d) All venetians were wizards or witches.

3) Among the stories that Othello told Desdemona , identify which one was not told
a) Stories of adventures in new and strange lands
b) Stories of the battles in which he had fought
c) Stories of being slave
d) Stories of Hood and Famine

4) When Othello is to go to Cyprus, Desdemona …
a) Wants to go with him
b) Wants to stay with her father
c) Wants him to stay back in Venice with her
d) Does not know what she wants

5) Give a brief description of Othello’s appearance and character as he appears in the text

Ans: Othello is a man who belongs to a dark complexion . Othello belongs to a race different from the Venetians .Othello is a man of adventures and able to deal with hard ships and troubles. He is also in love with Desdemona.

6) How did Othello come to confess his love to Desdemona ? Was it he took the initiative ?

Ans: Othello came to confess his love to Desdemona when she hinted him if she had a friend like him who loves her, she would tell him to express his love to her. Thus Desdemona is the one who took the initiative.

7) What does the senate feel about Othello’s marriage ?

Ans: The senate felt that any girl would be wooed by Othello’s stories, if they disapprove his marriage they would not say so to him.

8) Why do you think Brabantio is so angry about his daughter elopement ( you may want to think in terms of race, but also of the fact that she made her own choice, that the father’s role was not respected)

Ans: Brabantio is angry because his daughter Desdemona married to someone who belongs to a different race, Othello is a moor whose race was seen as inferior to that of venetians. Barbantio might been also angry because Desdemona married Othello secretly and thereby his sight as her father to decide whom she should marry.

9) Read Desdemona’s speech in the senate and attempt a brief sketch of her character.

Ans: When Desdemona was below the senate she was honest that she loves Othello and owes her love and duty to him as her husband. She was also frank that after she was married to Othello she can’t stay at her father’s house and wanted to go with Othello.
Desdemona is truthful and frank lady.