SHORT ANSWERS - OTHELLO BY SHAKESPEARE

SHORT ANSWERS - OTHELLO BY SHAKESPEARE

QUESTION NO. 17

Answer the following questions.

(i) Why does Iago not like Othello?

Ans. Iago's anger stems from the fact that Othello unfairly passed him over for promotion and made Michael Cassio his lieutenant, even though Cassio, unlike Iago, has no military field experience. He also suspects that Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia. However, the main cause of his hatred is his deep-seated racism against Othello.

(ii) Who is Roderigo?

Ans. Roderigo is the secondary antagonist of the play "Othello". He is a dissolute Venetian lusting after Othello's wife Desdemona. He has opened his purse to Iago in the mistaken belief that Iago is using his money to pave the way to Desdemona's bed. In the end, Roderigo dies - stabbed in the back by Iago.

(iii) Who is Desdemona?

Ans. Desdemona is a beautiful, young and white Venetian debutante. She is the daughter of a senator, Brabantio. She elopes with Othello. She is capable of defending her marriage, jesting bawdily with Iago, and responding with dignity to Othello's incomprehensible jealousy. She dies declaring her love for Othello.

(iv) Who is Michael Cassio?

Ans. Michael Cassio is Othello's lieutenant. He is a young and inexperienced soldier, whose position is much resented by Iago. Truly devoted to Othello, Cassio is extremely ashamed after being implicated in a drunken brawl on Cyprus and losing his place as lieutenant. Iago uses Cassio's youth, good looks, and friendship with Desdemona to play on Othello's insecurities about Desdemona's fidelity.

(v) Who is Brabantio?

Ans. Brabantio is a Venetian senator and the father of Desdemona in "Othello". He has entertained Othello in his home countless times before the play opens, thus giving Othello and Desdemona opportunity to fall in love. He is furious upon learning they have eloped, and Desdemona's decision is reported to be the cause of his death in the last act.

(vi) What was Brabantio's reaction to Othello's marriage to Desdemona?

Ans. When Brabantio, Desdemona's father, realizes that his daughter has married Othello, he reaction is rage. Going to where Othello is meeting with the Venetian Senators, Brabantio accuses Othello of using sorcery to seduce his daughter. He us upset because Othello is not Venetian but Moorish. 

(vii) What is the military issue that the Duke of Venice and his senators discuss?

Ans. The Duke of Venice and his senators talk about the Turk army headed for the kingdom. They discuss which part of the kingdom do they plan to attack. Finally they reached the conclusion that Cyprus would be their target. That is why they send Othello to Cyprus. 

(viii) Define the word 'moor'.

Ans. "Moot" is a name applied to the Arab and Berber peoples of North Africa who inhabited medieval Spain. Thus, Othello may be connected with the Moors who remained in Spain after the fall of Granada in 1492 until a later expulsion in 1609 or with the people of "Barbary" in North Africa. 

(ix) How does Othello succeed in winning Desdemona's heart?

Ans. Desdemona's father, Brabantio, frequently invited Othello to be a guest at his home. Othello told tales of his strange adventures prior to coming to Venice. Desdemona used to come around to hear the stories. Eventually, Othello began sharing his tales with Desdemona privately. And, they fell in love. 

(x) What is the significance of the handkerchief to Othello?

Ans. The handkerchief is the first gift Desdemona receives from Othello, so it is a token of his love. Othello claims that his mother used it to keep his father faithful to her, so, to him, the handkerchief represents martial fidelity. The pattern of strawberries on a white background strongly suggests the bloodstains left on the sheets on a virgin's weeding night, so the handkerchief suggests a guarantee of virginity as well as fidelity. 

(xi) What proof does Iago use to convince Rederigo that Cassio and Desdemona are lovers?

Ans. He offers proof in the way of Othello's handkerchief that end up in Cassio's hands and an overhead conversation. He also emphasizes the contrast of black Othello and white Desdemona to defile Desdemona's goodness. 

(xii) Who is Emilia?

Ans. Emilia is Iago's wife, and Desdemona's maid, a woman of practical intelligence and emotional resilience. She follows Iago in wifely duty, but during the play develops a strong loyalty to Desdemona and, at the end, denounces Iago's lies to defend Desdemona's reputation. 

(xiii) What warning about Desdemona does Branbanito give to Othello?

Ans. Brabantio warns Othello that if his daughter, Desdemona, deceive him in order to marry Othello, then she can just as easily deceive Othello. 

(xiv) Why does Desdemona plead the case of Cassio so passionately?

Ans. Desdemona and Cassio are firm friends. What has happened to Cassio is precisely what she could not bear to happen to herself. Therefore, Desdemona pleads the case of Cassio so passionately, asserting that he is a good man, and worthy to be reinstated in her husband's favour. 

(xv) What happens to the Turkish fleet?

Ans. The Turkish fleet is broken apart by a terrible storm while sailing to Cyprus. This might mean that the Turkish attack will not happen. 

Notes Prepared By: Prof. Shahbaz Asghar