Othello -‐ Acts II & III Take-‐Home Quiz
Part I: Short Answer (2 Points)
1. What is the breaking news about the Turkish fleet? 2. What does Iago say about his own wife in the beginning of Act II? 3. What does the Herald in Act II, Scene ii proclaim? 4. At the end of Act II, why is Cassio so upset? Is it just because he lost his job? Support your answer.
5. Who is Bianca? Be specific.
Part II: Quote Identification – Identify the Speaker (2 Points)
6. _____________________ “I am glad on ‘t; he is a worthy governor.”
7. _____________________ “Let it not gall your patience, good Iago, / That I extend my manners; ‘t is my
breeding / That give me this bold show of courtesy.”
8. _____________________ “O gentle lady, do not put me to ‘t; / For I am nothing if not critical.”
9. _____________________ “’T is here, but yet confused: / Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used.”
10. ____________________ “Good Michael… / Let’s teach ourselves that honourable stop, / Not to outsport
discretion.”
11. ____________________ “Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do / all my abilities on thy behalf.”
12. ____________________ “Cassio, my lord! No, sure. I cannot think it, / That he would steal away so guilty-‐
like, / Seeing you coming.”
13. ____________________ “I am glad I have found this napkin: This was her first remembrance from the
Moor.”
14. ____________________ “O blood, blood, blood!”
15. ____________________ “O Cassio, whence came this? / This is some token from a newer friend; / To the
felt absence now I feel a cause: / Is’t come to this?”
Part III: True/False (2 Points)
16. __________ Iago lied to Montano saying that Cassio was drunk every night, and probably would be in a
moment of crisis.
17. __________ Cassio and Roderigo were both arrested as a result of their fight.
18. __________ Desdemona refuses to talk to Othello on Cassio’s behalf, due to political reasons.
19. __________ Iago was reluctant to tell Othello his thoughts about Desdemona and Cassio, because he
wasn’t absolutely sure his plan would work.
20. __________ When Othello demanded proof of his wife’s disloyalty, Iago said, “Let us hide ourselves and
behold the fate of the star-‐crossed lovers.”
21. __________ Emilia finds the handkerchief on Iago’s nightstand.
22. __________ Cassio had the handkerchief at the conclusion of Act III.
23. __________ Emilia’s relationship with Desdemona was that of a servant and friend.
24. __________ Upon hearing Iago’s “proof,” Othello suffers from a terrible pain in his stomach.
25. __________ The handkerchief is embroidered with strawberries and cherries.
Part IV: Short Answer (5 Points)
Each question should be answered in 3-‐5 sentences. Use textual support whenever possible.
26-‐30. Explain Iago’s plan to get revenge on Othello. Provide specific details, including who is being used,
and the roles they are to play.
31-‐35. What functions do the clown and musicians serve? Provide one specific example to illustrate your
point.
36-‐40. Trace the path of Desdemona’s handkerchief throughout Act III, scenes iii & iv. (Hint: There are 12
parts to this answer. Be sure to include all parts in the correct order.)
41-‐45. Explain the significance of Desdemona’s handkerchief in the play.
Bonus: Draw & Color your best version of Desdemona’s handkerchief in the space below. (2 Point Bonus)
