A STEP BEYOND

TESTS AND ANSWERS

TEST 1

_____ 1. In addition to the fact that Cassio had the job Iago wanted, Iago hated him because

A. He believed that Cassio had been intimate with Emilia
B. Cassio was prejudiced against Iago
C. Cassio had helped Othello to win Desdemona's hand

_____ 2. Othello was upset over Cassio's drunkenness because

A. he had previously warned him about drinking
B. Iago had predicted it
C. it tarnished the Venetians' reputations

_____ 3. According to Othello, Desdemona fell in love with him because of

I. the exciting stories he had told her
II. his dashing appearance and maturity
III. the sufferings he had endured

A. I and II
B. I and III
C. II and III

_____ 4. Iago's speeches on "reputation" were delivered to

A. Roderigo and Othello
B. Cassio and Othello
C. Cassio and Roderigo

_____ 5. The advice which Brabantio gave to Othello was

A. "Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see"
B. "The robb'd that smiles steals something from the thief;"
C. "Take up this mangled matter at the best."

_____ 6. Iago's explanation of Othello's public display of bad behavior toward Desdemona was that

A. the loss of the handkerchief had enraged him
B. she had lied to him about Cassio
C. he was concerned over affairs of state

_____ 7. The best evidence of Desdemona's love for Othello is

I. she refused to implicate him in her death
II. she had rejected many eligible suitors to select him
III. she was willing to incur estrangement from her father

A. I and II
B. II and III
C. I, II, and III

_____ 8. "You must awhile be patient. What I can do I will; and more I will Than for myself I dare." These lines were said by

A. Iago to Roderigo
B. Desdemona to Cassio
C. Iago to Othello

_____ 9. The handkerchief was precious to Othello because

I. it had been his first gift to Desdemona
II. it foreshadowed faithlessness
III. his mother had given it to him

A. I and II
B. I and III
C. II and III

_____ 10. In calling Cassio a "great arithmetician," Iago was

A. showing the contempt of a veteran soldier for a rookie
B. trying to convince Roderigo of his rival's inadequacy
C. attempting to ingratiate himself with the new lieutenant

11. Discuss the function of the handkerchief in the plot of Othello.

12. Othello and Iago hold very different opinions on human nature. Compare their views.

13. Discuss the use of darkness as a motif in Othello.

14. Discuss the reasons Othello is vulnerable to Iago's persuasive tactics.

15. Othello has been called Shakespeare's most exciting play. Discuss five ways that Shakespeare creates excitement in the play.

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