Act 2, Scene 1
1. How does the setting of the play shift in this act?
2. What has happened to the Turkish fleet?
3. In what order do the ships from Venice arrive? Why would Shakespeare have Desdemona arrive before Othello?
4. Why is Desdemona worried about Othello?
5. How does Cassio greet Desdemona and Emilia?
6. What does the discussion about women between Desdemona and Iago tell us about their characters?
7. What is revealed about their marriage through the greeting Othello and Desdemona give each other?
8. Why does Iago think Desdemona is 'in love with' Othello? What assumptions is he making? Look carefully at what he says to Roderigo.
9. How does Iago justify Desdemona's 'potential' affair with Cassio? Name minimum of three reasons.
10. Roderigo has a hard time believing that Desdemona and Cassio are lovers. How does Iago convince him?
11. What plans does Iago set up with Roderigo?
12. Read Iago's soliloquy.
a) What new reasons does Iago give for hating Othello?
b) How is Cassio involved in Iago's jealousy?
Act 2, Scene 2
1. What does Othello's herald proclaim?
Act 2, Scene 3
1. What gentle advice does Othello give Cassio?
2. How do Iago's and Cassio's views of Desdemona differ? Make a comparison chart to aid your thinking.
3. Why and how does Iago get Cassio to drink more than he should?
4. What concerns does Iago raise in Montano, former Governor of Cyprus?
5. Whom does Cassio wound?
6. How does Othello deal with the fighting? Why is he so angry?
7. How does what Iago say get Cassio fired?
8. What does Cassio complain about losing? Why does he refuse to talk to Othello about it?
9. How does Iago tell Cassio to regain Othello's favour?
10. What does Roderigo complain about and how does Iago answer it? Why does Iago convince Roderigo not to go back to Venice?
11. What new details does Iago add to his plan in his last soliloquy in this scene?
