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. . . submit your quiz in the comment box below. Please see the course syllabus on the course policy for assignments submitted after the deadline (not accepted). Technical issues will not be accepted as an excuse. SLU has a student technology center paid for by your student fees.

Reading-Check Questions: Othello, The Moor of Venice, Act IV

 

INSTRUCTIONS: Before our next class meeting, enter the answer to the question you registered for on the attendance sheet (first, re-type the question) and submit digitally to BOTH turnitin.com and the English-blog (this is a quiz). You should show evidence/verification in your answer by using our text and incorporating page numbers and line numbers into your answer. To get credit for your answer, use specific examples and quotations.

 

1.      In Act IV, Scene 2, how does Desdemona react to the accusations of Othello?

2.      In Act IV, Scene 1, lines 238-62, why is the character Lodovico introduced into the action? What purpose does this character serve in the plot development?

3.      In Act III, Iago used one clever bit of “evidence” to suggest that Desdemona was being unfaithful.  In Act IV, what circumstantial evidence is now ADDED to Othello’s case against Desdemona?

4.      In Act IV, what is the significance of Bianca’s flinging the handkerchief at Cassio just when Othello is looking on?  How plausible do you find Bianca’s act to be?  Why or why not?.

5.      Now that you’ve read Act IV, explain the overall significance of the handkerchief in this play.  We already know why the handkerchief is important to Othello.  The question now is: why is it so important to how the play works?  What does it represent? What suggestions or hints does it contain?

6.      In Act IV, Scene 2, lines 33-92, what prevents Othello from being moved by Desdemona’s appeal?

7.      When Roderigo grows impatient with Iago, in Act IV, Scene 2, lines 182-202, how does Iago make use of his fellow plotter’s discontent?

8.      In Act IV, Scene 3, what does the conversation between Emilia and Desdemona tell us about the nature of each?

9.      In Act IV, which scenes (or speeches) contain memorable examples of dramatic irony? (if you are STILL unfamiliar with what dramatic irony is, you need to take time refresh your memory).

10.   In Act IV, how does Othello react to Iago’s images of infidelity?

11.   In Act IV, why does Iago speak to Cassio about Bianca?

12.   Explain how the handkerchief has increased in significance in Act IV than it has from the previous Acts.

13.   First, consider/recall the behavior of Othello in Acts I to III  Now, in Act IV, how has Othello changed up to this point in the play?

14.   Explain the difference in the relationship between Desdemona and Othello in Act IV compared to when they first arrived in Cyprus in Act II.

15.   In Act IV, why is Emilia’s belief about what is causing Othello’s behavior ironic?

16.   In Act IV, what clue does Emilia offer about Iago’s own jealousy?

17.   In Act IV, why is Roderigo annoyed at Iago?

18.   In Act IV, scene 1, who is the first person in the play to figure out Iago’s duplicity?  How is Iago able to manipulate this person, even after the truth is known?

19.   Where in Act IV,  Scene 2, does Desdemona finally start to fight back?  Explain her physical reaction right after Othello exits in about line 99?

20.   According to Othello, what’s the worst part of being a cuckold as revealed in Act IV?

The Reading-Check (Quiz) for today's quiz/reading-check on Act IV of Othello, The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare drew from questions at these study-guide resources (consider studying the questions from Acts V for a future activity:

Diablo Valley College: Dr. W. Harlan’s “English 154 - Shakespeare and His World” Course Study Questions - http://www.srvc.net/engl154/html_files/OtheStudyQuest.htm

(and)

eNotes – http://www.enotes.com/othello/act-iv-scenes-1-3-questions-answers

(and)

Kennedy, X. J., and Dana Gioia, eds. “Questions.” Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. 5th Compact ed. New York: Longman, 2007. 1038-39.

*Since so many of you expressed that you liked the Laurence Fishbourne portrayal of Othello the best (the most recently made "Hollywood" version), I thought you might enjoy seeing this two-minute clip from the Act IV. It is the so-called "slap-scene" of Act IV where Othello "wigs out" on Desdemona. [I saw many of you flinch when the Anthony Hopkins (Hannibal Lector!) version of Othello slapped Desdemona in the BBC version we screened in class].

Here is the same scene from the much older, black-and-white version with Orson Welles as Othello (the version we will watch Act V for on Wednesday):

See you Wednesday as we wrap up our screening and begin our discussion of Othello. Be prepared to have something to say. You've seen many versions of how Othello has been portrayed. Which is most important for the academic (what YOU are now)--versions which try to stay as close to the original as possible or versions which water themselves down so that they can be more "palatable" for typically unread, American audiences? I'm also interested in your opinions on the apparent racism in the play. Is Shakespeare racist or is he merely depicting racism of his time in Renaissance England (or, of early Renaissance Italy?). What do you think about the director's choice to cast non-African actors in black-face makeup to play Othello? Does this add or detract from the play? Does it possibly emphasize certain "points" that having an African-American actor such as Fishbourne cannot?

We will discuss these issues and more soon.

Dr. Hobbs
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*FROM*: 31 October 2008

Students,

Per your instructions from today's meeting, submit your quiz in the comment box below. The questions are repeated here. [NOTE: Please see the course syllabus on the course policy for assignments submitted after the deadline (not accepted). Technical issues will not be accepted as an excuse. SLU has a student technology center paid for by your student fees.]

Reading-Check Questions: Othello, The Moor of Venice, Act III

 

INSTRUCTIONS: Before our next class meeting, enter the answer to the exact question you registered for on today’s attendance sheet (first, re-type the question) and submit digitally to BOTH turnitin.com and the English-blog (this is a quiz). You should show evidence/verification in your answer by using our text and incorporating page numbers and line numbers into your answer.

 

1.     In scene 1 of Act III, why does Cassio bring musicians? What is Othello’s response to them?

2.     Who is Emilia?  In scene 1 of Act III, what arrangements does she make for Cassio?

3.     In Act III, Scene 3, what is ironic about Emilia’s comments at the beginning of this scene?

4.     In Act III, Scene 3, what does Desdemona promise Cassio?

5.     In Act III, Scene 3, how does Iago begin planting the first seeds of jealousy in Othello?

6.     Act III, Scene 3, what does Othello agree to do for Desdemona?

7.     Act III, Scene 3, after Desdemona leaves, how does Iago begin anew to raise Othello’s suspicions about Cassio?

8.     When Iago raises the issue of jealousy in Act III, Scene 3, what does Othello say?  How does Iago then respond?

9.     In Act III, Scene 3, why does Iago say, “I see this hath a little dashed your spirits,” and then twice, “I (do) see you are moved”?

10.  In Act III, Scene 3, after Iago finally departs, what does Othello’s soliloquy show about his suspicions?  In other words, once Iago leaves, what do Othello’s next remarks reveal about his thoughts?

11.  In Act III, Scene 3, what does Emilia do after Othello and Desdemona depart?  What does her brief soliloquy (look up this word if you do not know it!) reveal about Iago?

12.  What does Iago reveal in his brief soliloquy (look up this word if you still do not know it!) in Act III, Scene 3?

13.  In Act III, Scene 3, what attitude does Othello take upon returning to Iago (after has already left him once before in the scene)?

14.  In Act III, Scene 3, how does Othello threaten Iago?   How does Iago respond?

15.  In Act III, Scene 3, what are two specific pieces of evidence that Iago cites to cast suspicion on Cassio?

16.  Act III, what does Othello command Iago to do at the end of Scene 3?

17.  In Act III, Scene 4, Why does Othello insist that Desdemona present the handkerchief?

18.  What are two examples of “dramatic irony” (we have discussed this concept in our earlier class lectures—look it up if you still don’t understand it) in Desdemona and Emilia’s conversation in Act III, Scene 4.

19.  What is Emilia’s view of men (see lines 98-102 of Act III, Scene 4)?  How justified are her beliefs?

20.  In Act III, what important information is revealed in Cassio and Bianca’s conversation that ends Scene 4?

The Reading-Check (Quiz) for today's quiz/reading-check on Act III of Othello, The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare drew from questions at these two study-guide sites (consider studying the questions from Acts IV-V for a future activity:

Clayton State University - http://a-s.clayton.edu/walkup/1102%20Online/1102%20Online/othelloIII&IV.htm

(and)

Instructor Cindy Adams’s “Studyguide.Org” – http://www.studyguide.org/othello.htm

Youtube user "miscellus" presents an extract from the filmed version of Act III with Sir Laurence Olivier as Othello that "starts with Act 3, scene 3, line 245 "Why did I Marry" to Iago's line (376) "Are you a man? Have you a soul, or sense?"

To see Anthony Hopkins do scene 3, lines 337 to the end of Scene 3, Act III. where Othello enters "Ha!, False to me! to me!" and Iago plants stories of Cassio and the handkerchief, see the youtube clip below from user "ShakespeareandMore:

Happy Halloween,

Dr. Hobbs
______________________________

*FROM*: 29 October 2008

ENG 225 Students,

I hope you enjoyed watching the cinematic version of Othello, Act II as portrayed by actors Laurence Fishbourne as Othello and Kenneth Branaugh as Iago.

Your homework tonight is to answer YOUR question from the in-class discussion today in the comment box below. Start by re-typing your question. Then write about a paragraph to fully answer your question. You can skip Turnitin.com on this one (although I will record the grades for your in-class reading checks on turnitin.com--nothing for you to submit there).

In-Class Discussion Questions for Act II of Othello, The Moor of Venice

 

1.     Othello, Act II, Scene 1
Describe how Cassio acts when he lands at Cyprus, especially when Desdemona comes ashore. (lines 42-97)

 

2.     Othello, Act II, Scene 1
What do the Cypriots (those from Cypress) think of Othello?  Do their words (in Scene 1) make him seem to us a lesser man or a larger one?

 

3.     Othello, Act III, Scene 1
Why does Iago verbally attack his wife (Emilia) at lines 99-110?  What cruelty does Iago display toward her?  How well founded is his distrust of his wife’s fidelity?

 

4.     Othello, Act II, Scene 1
According to Iago what is all that the most accomplished woman in the world is good for?  (lines 146-158)

 

5.     Othello, Act II, Scene 1
Explain what Iago is talking about at lines 165-172.

 

6.     Othello, Act II, Scene 1
How does Iago convince Roderigo that Cassio is in love with Desdemona? (lines 215-245)

 

7.     Othello, Act II, Scene 1
In Act I, Scene 3 we heard how Othello's life story helped win the love of Desdemona.  In Act II, Scene 1, lines 220-225 we learn Iago's reaction to the same story.  What is it?

 

8.     Othello, Act II, Scene 1
At the end of this scene, Iago gives a second reason for hating Othello (the first was because he was not promoted by Othello to Lieutenant).  What is the second reason?

 

9.     Othello, Act II, Scene 3
In lines 12 -29, what is Iago trying to get Cassio to do?  Why?

 

10.  Othello, Act II, Scene 3
In Act II, scene 3, line 221, Othello speaks of Iago’s “honesty and love.”  How do you account for Othello’s being so totally deceived?

 

11.  Othello, Act II, Scene 3
For what major events does the merrymaking (proclaimed in Scene 2) give opportunity?

 

In-Class “Reading Check” Questions for Act II of Othello, The Moor of Venice

 

·      Where does Act II, Scene 1 take place?

 

·      In Act II, what news does Othello bring regarding the Turks?

 

·      In Act II of Othello, The Moor of Venice, who said the following, and what is the context?
"Tis monstrous.  Iago, who began't?"

 

·      In Act II of Othello, The Moor of Venice, who said the following, and what is the context?
"Out general's wife is now the general [...] Confess yourself freely to her."

 

·      In Act II, how does Iago convince Roderigo that Cassio must be dishonored and "removed"?

 

·      In Act II, explain how Iago engineered Cassio’s disgrace.

 

·      In Act II of Othello, The Moor of Venice, who said the following, and what is the context?
"...I love thee; But never more be officer of mine."

 

·      In Act II of Othello, The Moor of Venice, who said the following, and what is the context?
"So will I turn her virtue into pitch, And out of her own goodness make the net / That shall enmesh them all."

 

Thanks to “www.shakespearehelp.com” (link HERE) and to Dr. W. Harlan’s “ENGL 154 - Shakespeare and His World” course with class study guides (link HERE) for the previous questions. You might take some time to look through these sites for clues on what the reading check questions for Acts III - V might look like!

If you missed today's screening, or, if you want to see a variation of Act II as performed by the celebrated British actor, Sir Laurence Oliver (yes, he IS wearing makeup), see Act II, Scene 1 below (look carefully and you'll see the actress who portrayed one of Harry Potter's teachers in the role of Desdemona when she was younger):

Dr. Hobbs

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Image Source: http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/5700/5781/othello_3_md.gif

*FROM*: 27 October 2008

ENG 225 Students,

Below, find the questions from today's reading check and in-class discussion. NOTE: Even if you are one of the wiser students who actually read the class blog entries, it is still in your best interest to come to class. Since any of these questions are fair game for the final exam, it is in class where you will hear the "answers" discussed. Why look up each and every one of these on the last week of class when you don't really have to?

HOMEWORK: In the comment box below, answer YOUR question from the in-class discussion today. Re-type your question. You will need about a paragraph to fully answer your question. You can skip Turnitin.com on this one. (although I will record the grades for your in-class reading checks on turnitin.com--nothing for you to submit there). If you were absent, email me privately before tomorrow to find out which disussion question (not quiz question) you should answer.

In-Class Discussion Questions for Act I of William Shakespeare’s Othello (Answer YOUR group's question for your Homework)

 

1.              What is Iago's immediate plan (Act I, Scene 1, lines 66-72)? How well does he carry it out? Whose father is Brabantio? What is Roderigo's previous relationship to Brabantio and his daughter (1.1.94-100)?

 

2.              How does Brabantio assume the Moor won his daughter (Act I, Scene 1, lines 167-172)?

 

3.              What do we learn about Iago's methods of operation from what he tells Othello (still not named) in Act I, Scene 2, lines 1-10? Who is the "him" of line 5? Be sure to compare what Iago says here with what we saw happen (and heard him say) in 1.1.

 

4.              Explain what happens between Iago and Cassio in the short time Othello is off stage in the Sagittary (Act I, Scene 2, lines 47 – 52)

 

5.              What is effective in Othello’s first speech of justification (Act I, Scene 3, lines 76 – 94)?

 

6.              How do we know Othello’s second speech of justification (Act I, Scene 3, lines 127 – 169) was effective?

 

7.              Why is Desdemona’s response to her father’s question at Act I, Scene 3, lines 176 – 178 especially effective?

 

8.              Explain Iago’s “parable of the garden” (Act I, Scene 3, lines 314 – 327).

 

9.              How does Iago manipulate Roderigo in the Act I, Scene 3, lines 329 – 370?

Reading Check Questions for Othello, Act I

 

1.              What is the setting of this play?  Where does it take place?

2.              Who is Iago?  Is Iago a friend to Othello? Explain.

3.              Identify by name the honorable Lieutenant who was promoted instead of Iago. According to Iago, why was this person a bad choice? 

4.              Who is Othello?  What is his ethnicity and position in society?  With whom is he secretly having romantic “relations”?

5.              Who is Roderigo?  What are Roderigo and Iago doing at Brabantio’s window?

6.              Who is Brabantio? Why is he dismayed on learning that his daughter has married, even though the groom is someone generally honored and admired?

7.              According to Brabantio, how has Othello seduced his daughter?

8.              An emergency meeting was called in the Council Chamber of Venice for one reason but Brabantio brought Othello there for another. Explain the two reasons.

9.              At the end of this scene, Iago gives a second reason for hating Othello (the first was because he was not promoted by Othello to Lieutenant).  What is the second reason?

10.           Many see “jealousy” as the chief theme in Othello.  In the course of Act I, Iago reveals at least three reasons for his jealousy.  Name two.

 

Too many of you performed very poorly on today's in-class reading check. This is a course about "reading" and we can't have a class if you don't read. You are paying good money for this course--why would you cheat yourselves in this way? Therefore, read for the next class and ALWAYS bring your textbook to class. I reserve the right to do a materials "check" to see if you are, in fact, bringing your materials to class. My next quiz will not be as easy and basic as the one for Act I. I will expect you to read more closely and more carefully for Act 2 through Act 5. It was OBVIOUS today who had read the assignment and who had not.

Let's prepare for a good discussion on Wednesday.

Dr. Hobbs

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Image Source:http://www.geocities.com/themodpoet/graphics/literary/othello_title.jpg

*FROM*: 26 November 2007
COURSE: ENGL 104: Writing About Literature

ENGL 104 Students,

Today, in our first class meeting since the holiday, you chose a question from the supplementary material at the end of William Shakespeare's Othello and wrote an open-book response.

Please polish up your "answer" to the question (or article summary) that you chose in -class today and type it into the comment box below. Please acknowledge the follow instructions:

1. Put your Name (disguised with one of your names initialized) , course number and section number at the top.

2. If you chose a question, please re-type the question just as it appears in the book as the "title" of your response..

3. If you chose an article to analyize, title your answer "Thesis and Chief Arguments of *Author's* *Name of Article*..

4. Hit return a space and then type your entry. Maybe you should first type it on MS-Word, save it (in case you lose it), then copy-and-paste it into the comment box.

I expect to receive a good answer to these questions/essays to fall within the range of 1 to 2 solid paragraphs. Remember, after you hit "post" you won't see your response, so please make sure you did it correctly the first time. I have to approve each comment manually (to avoid spam).

*Assignment is due by class time at our next class meeting (Wed., Nov. 28, 2007).

Best,

Lee Hobbs

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*NOTE* The deadline for this assignment has now passed. Comments are no longer being accepted for this exercise/assignment.