Act+1+Stopping+Points+and+Questions


 * __Guided questions and stopping points.

Act 1 Scene 1. __ ** 1. Stop at line 33. · What do you think about the character of Iago at this point? 2. Stop at line 66. · Why does Iago want to destroy Othello? Support your answers with quotes from the text. 3. Re-read line 66. · How do you think Iago will try to achieve his plan? 4. Stop at line 118. · Go through Iago’s lines and note down what animal imagery he uses. Why do you think he uses this language to describe Othello? 5. Stop at line 182. · Why do you think we have heard about Othello but not yet seen him on stage? · At this stage, after hearing about Othello’s supposed theft of Desdemona, what do you know about the character of Othello? Is he a good man? Do you accept Iago’s reasons for hating him? · Why do you think that Iago leaves to warn Othello that Brabantio is coming? · What do we know about Desdemona from meeting her father? =Act 1 Scene 2.= 6. Stop at line 32. · Why do you think Iago suggests to Othello that he hide? · Why do you think that Othello refuses to hide? 7. Stop at line 51. · How does Iago define Othello and Desdemona’s marriage? 8. Stop at line 81. · How does Brabantio claim Othello has ensnared Desdemona? 9. Stop at line 99. · How do you think Othello is feeling at this point? How did he handle himself before Brabantio? Think about his actions and language. =Act 1 Scene 3.= 10. Stop at line 47. · What opinion do you think the senate has of Othello and why? 11. Stop at line 94. · What kind of language and messages does Othello use to defend himself? · How would the audience be feeling about Othello at this point? What about Iago? 12. Stop at line 121. · Iago is referred to as Othello’s “ancient”. What do you think this means and why do you think it is important that Iago is in a position of trust? 13. Stop at line 169. · This is a very long speech from Othello. What purpose do you think it has in furthering our understanding of the character of Othello? · Go through Othello’s speech and make a flow chart or timeline of the events in his life. 14. Stop at line 196. · What do you think the reasons are for Brabantio objecting to Othello marrying Desdemona? Does Brabantio love Desdemona or is he shocked at the loss of a daughter to a Moor without noble birth? 15. Stop at line 207. · How does the Duke describe the events? What sort of imagery does he use? 16. Stop at line 236. · What is Othello asking for Desdemona from the senate? How does he view the status of his new wife? 17. Stop at line 243. · Why do all parties agree that Desdemona cannot stay at her fathers house? 18. Stop at line 255. · Why is it important for the context of the play for Desdemona to go with Othello to Cyprus? 19. Stop at line 270. · Re-read lines 257-61. If we accept that these lines mean that Othello wants Desdemona for her mind not her body, then why do you think Othello feels he must say this? 20. Stop at line 280. · Why is Iago again referred to as being honest and trustworthy? What dramatic and plot purpose could this serve? 21. Stop at line 289. · What do you think the significance of Brabantio’s warning and Othello’s comment about a Desdemona’s faith? Think about the context of Shakespearean tragedy. 22. Stop at line 364. · Write down quotes for every time Iago refers to money. Why do you think he does this? Are his motives financial? 23. Stop at line 386. · Do you think that Iago believes the rumours about Othello sleeping with his wife? · Why do you think that Iago is on stage when this Act closes? · How is Iago planning to destroy Othello? · What characteristic of Othello does Iago think will make him an easy target? · What significance do you give to the language of the last line to the rest of the play?