Othello Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. After hearing Othello’s accusations and learning where the handkerchief went, what does Emilia conclude?
Cassio and Bianca jointly invented the accusation against Desdemona
Iago fabricated the appearance of infidelity and manipulated Othello
Roderigo secretly gave the handkerchief to Desdemona
Brabantio arranged the tragedy to punish the marriage
2. Why does Iago encourage Cassio to seek Desdemona’s help in regaining his position?
He expects Desdemona to reject Cassio and damage her own reputation
He wants Cassio to abandon military life and join Desdemona in Venice
He plans to make Desdemona’s innocent advocacy look like evidence of an affair
He believes Desdemona can persuade Brabantio to appoint Cassio governor
3. A director wants one prop to represent love, fidelity, and the false evidence driving Othello’s jealousy. Which prop should be emphasized?
Desdemona’s handkerchief
Brabantio’s sealed letter
Cassio’s sword
Roderigo’s purse
4. What event causes Cassio to lose his position as Othello’s lieutenant?
He refuses to fight the Turkish fleet
He becomes drunk and participates in a brawl
He admits that he helped Desdemona elope
He challenges Othello’s authority before the Senate
5. Which description best captures Roderigo’s role in Iago’s plot?
He is Desdemona’s cousin who follows her to Cyprus for protection
He is a Venetian official secretly assigned to investigate Othello
He is Cassio’s military rival who independently invents the handkerchief scheme
He is a frustrated suitor whom Iago manipulates for money and uses as an accomplice
6. Where do most of the play’s events take place?
First in Cyprus, then mainly in Venice
First in Venice, then mainly in Cyprus
First in Verona, then mainly in Rhodes
First in Rome, then mainly in Crete
7. Why does Emilia give Desdemona’s dropped handkerchief to Iago?
Desdemona tells her to deliver it as a gift
She believes Cassio dropped it in Desdemona’s room
She wants to use it to prove Desdemona’s innocence
Iago has repeatedly asked her to steal it, and she hopes to please him
8. After Cassio is dismissed, what course of action does Iago encourage him to take?
Challenge Othello to a formal duel
Return to Venice and appeal to Brabantio
Ask Desdemona to persuade Othello to restore him
Expose Roderigo’s involvement in the brawl
9. Othello secretly watches Iago speak with Cassio and sees Cassio laughing. What has Iago arranged?
Cassio is laughing about the drunken brawl, but Othello thinks he is mocking his military rank
Cassio is speaking about Bianca, while Othello is led to believe the conversation concerns Desdemona
Cassio is describing Roderigo’s failed courtship, while Othello thinks he is discussing Emilia
Cassio is joking about Iago’s promotion, while Othello thinks he is planning a mutiny
10. Lodovico arrives in Cyprus carrying official instructions. What change do they order?
Iago must return to Venice while Othello remains governor
Desdemona must appear before the Senate without Othello
Cassio must be imprisoned and Montano must command Cyprus
Othello must return to Venice and Cassio is to take command in Cyprus
11. Once Iago has been captured and Othello understands that Desdemona was innocent, what does Othello ultimately do?
He wounds Iago and then kills himself
He returns to Venice to face trial before the Senate
He asks Cassio to execute him publicly
He appoints Emilia governor and leaves Cyprus alone
12. When Iago warns Othello to “beware” jealousy, what is he actually doing?
Warning Othello that Roderigo plans to seize command of Cyprus
Confessing that his own jealousy caused Cassio’s dismissal
Trying to persuade Othello to trust Emilia instead of Desdemona
Pretending to caution Othello while deliberately increasing his suspicion
13. What accusation does Brabantio initially make to explain Desdemona’s love for Othello?
Othello used witchcraft or enchantment on her
Othello forged Brabantio’s consent
Othello bribed Roderigo to arrange the marriage
Othello promised her a political title in Cyprus
14. When Bianca receives the handkerchief from Cassio, how does she react?
She recognizes it as Desdemona’s and immediately returns it to Othello
She hides it because she believes it proves Cassio’s promotion
She angrily suspects Cassio received it from another woman
She gives it to Emilia as evidence against Iago
15. Why does the Venetian Senate send Othello to Cyprus?
To defend the island against a Turkish fleet
To negotiate a marriage alliance with Cyprus
To investigate Cassio for treason
To replace Brabantio in the Senate
16. Which promotion does Iago resent Othello for giving to Cassio?
Governor of Cyprus
Commander of the Venetian fleet
Lieutenant
Othello’s personal herald