Act II Do Venice and Cypress contrast in any significant ways? How does the warlike, chaotic atmosphere set the stage for the rest of the Act? We meet Cassio and Montano. What is their relationship with/ attitude toward Othello? What kind of person is Cassio? Why is he, according to Iago, the perfect pawn in his scheme? Does he live up to Iago’s expectations? (II.i.165-173) Iago and Desdemona have a hilarious, if awful, conversation in II.i. What does it say about the attitude toward women? (II.i.117-162) Iago’s soliloquy (II.i.270-297) is supposed to clarify his motives … does it?

Act III What’s the point of III.i and III.ii? How does Desdemona view the spat between Othello and Cassio? Why is it so important to her (truly) that they make up? (III.iii.62-85) Is Desdemona as self-aware as she thinks she is? (III.iii.50, 89) Why is Iago so successful at convincing Othello of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness? (pg. 740-744) How does Othello’s opinion of himself help us to understand Iago’s success? Othello certainly has some confidence issues … (l. 258-277) Does Othello change (surprisingly?): III.iii.368-373, III.iii.442-480 III.iv.75-on: What’s the deal with the handkerchief? This handkerchief has a lot of history behind it: family heirloom, dating gift, gypsy curse … How do Emilia’s views of men shed light on who Iago is? Does Desdemona share her opinions? (III.iv.98-101)

Act IV How is Iago able to convince Othello of Cassio’s deceit? (IV.i.141) Are Cassio, Desdemona, and Othello the only victims of this exchange? What does Cassio’s attitude toward Bianca show about the attitude toward women in general? (IV.i.96-124) If Cassio can be so blasé and flippant about women, anyone could. Also, this reveals the double-standard for noblewomen (Desdemona) and working women (Emilia and Bianca). How much has Othello changed by Act IV? What is the effect of his slapping Desdemona in public? Iago is able to manipulate Ludovico, too. Act IV.ii: What does Emilia say to Othello? How does Othello treat Desdemona? What is interesting about the words Iago uses to comfort Desdemona? Roderigo’s back!

Act V … and Cassio goes back to Bianca, who (foolishly?) welcomes him. Ugh. Iago kind of models Roderigo’s role after his own – he has Roderigo act in a friendly way toward Cassio, all with the purpose of literally stabbing him in the back (which Roderigo fails to do). Iago isn’t willing to do his own dirty work … although it is pretty hard to be a mastermind. Othello waits for a sign of Iago’s success killing Cassio before he goes after his wife. Lack of confidence in play! Ohhh Roderigo. Trusting Iago was dumb. OBVIOUSLY he is the type to kill the witness (and Cassio gets away!). Iago’s comment about Bianca shows both his disdain for Cassio (this is Cassio’s traditional flaw, but surprisingly not his hamartia) and his continued poor attitude toward women. Emilia shows that her fatal flaw is also her best trait: the poor woman is loyal – to a fault! – to her husband and Desdemona. V.i.130-131: “makes” and “fordoes” are essentially the same thing with him. Getting what he wants at this point might require his own destruction. Desdemona’s goodness is her complete undoing – perhaps someone as good as her can’t exist in this world, so she must die so young. Her tears of compassion for Cassio and attempts to understand and help Othello just make her situation worse. Is Othello’s decision to smother her twice really merciful? Emilia may be misguided, but man, is her heart in the right place. What a strong character – she speaks up for what is right when it matters.

Act V Oh, a letter. And Brabantio’s dead. How convenient for everyone still alive. V.ii.350-351: In the end, Othello returns to his original confidence – I own who I am and what I do (unlike Iago). But his final act is an act of deception (“faking” the memory means actually stabbing himself); can deception ever be for good? Way to step up, Ludovico. Consider the leadership qualities it takes to succeed and maintain order and justice in a situation like this. What a guy.