othello essay questions

by William Shakespeare

Othello essay questions.

How is Othello's race a factor in the play?

Othello ascends to the rank of the Venetian military, a city - much like Elizabethan England when the play was written - rife with racism. A general in the army, Othello holds a distinguished place in the Duke's court due to his victories in battle, but not an equal one. He suffers barbs and preconceived notions, yet Othello is esteemed and wins the love of the daughter of a nobleman. However, Brabantio is enraged by Othello's marriage to Desdemona and claims Othello used magic to compel her to run to his "sooty bosom". Race is a factor in the tragedy both in those who seek to destroy Othello, and the victims of the schemes - Othello and Desdemona. Perhaps the most pernicious form of race as an instrument of division is Othello's own view of himself as an outsider, which makes him more susceptible to Iago's plan.

How does Shakespeare's use of language reveal character?

Often Shakespeare uses verse lines written in iambic pentameter to illustrate nobility. It is illustrative of Iago's duplicitous nature that he tends to speak in verse when he is with Othello and in prose for his soliloquies. One way in which Iago is a master in manipulation is his tendency to use Othello's own words to disguise his active role of instigator and make it seem that any dark thought came not from him but Othello's own mind. Othello's speech is very sophisticated at the beginning of the play, and in his soliloquy at the close of Act V, but when he is consumed with jealous rage, his eloquence falters. Shakespeare uses dialogue to convey the innerworkings of his characters.

Othello is often called a tragic hero. Discuss his heroic qualities as well as his flaws which lead to his demise.

At the beginning of the play Othello is presented as an honorable man of noble stature and high position. In the end it is his misguided attempt to maintain that honor which brings about his, and Desdemona's, demise. However, Othello is not simply the victim of a plot. Iago is able to engineer Othello's downfall in part because of Othello's own insecurities. His pride blinds him to his weaknesses, and he puts his faith in Iago over the word of his love, Desdemona. Othello is obsessed with his reputation, and ends up killing his wife to save face. Only to a flawed man would murder seem like a solution to a problem of reputation. Othello is spurred on by lies and misrepresentations, but he brings about his own undoing.

What motives, stated and implied, does Iago have for taking revenge on Othello?

Iago's stated reason for taking revenge on Othello is that he has been passed over for Cassio's post. But is this enough for him to "hate the Moor"? It is clear that he is jealous of Othello's ascension in the court and successful wooing of Desdemona. Othello's race and status as an outsider also seems to fuel this rage, as well as the rumor that Othello has slept with Iago's wife, Emilia. None of these motivations, however, seem to add up to inspire the violence that unfolds. Iago remains one of the most purely evil of Shakespeare's villains.

Discuss how loyalty is presented as a positive and a negative quality throughout the play.

Othello's lack of loyalty is what incites Iago's plan for revenge. Iago's ability to fool Othello that he is loyal while secretly plotting his demise is what makes his revenge effective. It is Othello's belief in Desdemona's lack of loyalty that seals their fates. In these ways loyalty, when misconstrued, can be dangerous. However Desdemona's loyalty to Othello even in her death and Othello's loyalty to her once his mistake is revealed are seen as ennobling aspects of their characters.

Compare and contrast the jealousy of Othello to that of Iago.

One major theme in Othello is revenge - Iago's revenge on Othello and Othello's revenge on Desdemona. They both believe death will bring justice. Iago's revenge is cooler, plotted out over time where Othello's is an act of heartbroken passion. Iago wears his lack of morals as a badge of honor where it is Othello's moral code that leads to his tragic end.

Although Othello is the title character in what way is Iago the main character?

Often in Shakespeare's plays such as Hamlet or King Lear , the title character is the main character and protagonist. In Othello this is not the case. Iago has almost 20% more lines than Othello, and has more asides with the audience. While it is Othello's decisions and actions that provide the dramatic structure for the play, it is Iago who sets in motion those decisions and spurs him to action. Othello is the tragic figure of the play, along with Desdemona, and it his characteristics that lend itself to most of the themes - jealousy, race, trust. However, Iago is the character who drives the plot.

How does Desdemona's dying assertion that she killed herself effect how you see her character?

From a modern feminist viewpoint Desdemona may be judged harshly for answering Emilia, when she asked who has mortally attacked her, "nobody; I myself. Farewell." Furthermore, she seemed resigned to her fate at the hands of her husband. While contemporary audiences may interpret these actions as unfathomable, they highlight the goodness of her character. Desdemona is described by others in the play with words that symbolize goodness - light, white, fair, delicate, alabaster. By the end of the play, Desdemona begins to symbolize goodness itself, so her reaction to her murder becomes another element in Othello's tragic end. Desdemona still loves Othello, though he is mistaken, and she goes to her death professing her husband's reputation. A modern audience may wish for a response that is less melodramatic, but that is not the world that Shakespeare has created in this play.

In what ways do Othello's suicide strengthen or undermine his heroism?

Though suicide is not usually the chosen end for a heroic figure, it is Othello's only escape from the crimes he has committed. Though the victim of Iago's trickery, Othello is still the author of his own demise. For Desdemona's death to be answered by anything less than his own would have felt false.

Describe how Othello's pride leads to his fall.

At the beginning of the play Othello is proud of himself and his achievements, but when Iago looks to punish Othello for his perceived slight, it is his pride that he preys upon. The belief that Desdemona has tainted his honor ignites Othello's rage, but it is his pride that blinds him to the fact that the evidence of her acts are lies invented not by a loyal friend but an enemy bent on his destruction.

Othello Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Othello is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

desdemonas speech here confirms the masterly nature of iagos plot with what words does she assure cassio that she will do her best to get him reinstated

What is your question here?

why does othello ignore the cries for help?

Othello is hurdling towards self-destruction: sadly, by the deaths of people closest to him. Like tragic heroes such as Macbeth, Othello's senses are dull to tragedy and screams of terror. Roderigo and Cassio fight, and both are injured; Othello...

what function does the opening part of this scene, with the clown, have?

The minor comic relief that is present is reminiscent of Feste's wit in Twelfth Night . As in Twelfth Night , a man entreats a servant to fetch someone hither; but since the servant is a clown, there is a bit of frustration and word-play before...

Study Guide for Othello

Othello study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Othello
• Othello Summary
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Essays for Othello

Othello essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Othello by William Shakespeare.

• Iago and Edmund: The Silence and Complexity of Evil
• Unity in Shakespeare's Tragedies
• Inevitability and the Nature of Shakespeare's Tragedies
• Witchy Women: Female Magic and Otherness in Western Literature
• Racism in Othello

Lesson Plan for Othello

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Othello
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Othello Bibliography

E-Text of Othello

Othello e-text contains the full text of Othello by William Shakespeare.

• List of Characters

Wikipedia Entries for Othello

• Introduction
• Date and sources
• Themes and critical approaches

William Shakespeare

• Literature Notes
• Essay Questions
• Play Summary
• About Othello
• Character List
• Summary and Analysis
• Act I: Scene 1
• Act I: Scene 2
• Act I: Scene 3
• Act II: Scene 1
• Act II: Scene 2
• Act II: Scene 3
• Act III: Scene 1
• Act III: Scene 2
• Act III: Scene 3
• Act III: Scene 4
• Act IV: Scene 1
• Act IV: Scene 2
• Act IV: Scene 3
• Act V: Scene 1
• Act V: Scene 2
• Character Analysis
• Character Map
• William Shakespeare Biography
• Critical Essays
• Major Themes
• Major Symbols and Motifs
• Character Pairs
• Shakespeare's Tragedy
• Top 5 Quotes Explained
• Film Versions
• Full Glossary
• Practice Projects
• Cite this Literature Note

Study Help Essay Questions

1. Describe the course of Iago's deception of Othello, showing which incidents were planned and which were opportunistic. Does Iago succeed by skill or by luck?

2. Discuss how age, social position, and race impact the relationship between Othello and Desdemona.

3. A tragedy concerns the fall of a great man due to some flaw in his character. What is Othello's flaw, and explain how he is truly a tragic hero.

4. What are possible motives for Iago's hatred of Othello? Consider both the motives he states and the motives implied in his speech and behavior.

5. In addition to exposing the prejudices of Venetians, discuss how the play also exposes the prejudices of the audience.

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Essay questions on 'Othello'

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Discussion Questions

Why do you think Shakespeare chose to write Othello as a Moor and Desdemona as a Venetian? How do their respective races affect the plot? Support your answer with evidence.

In Act I, the Venetian Senate asks Othello to defend Cyprus against the Turks. All of the play’s major characters sail to Cyprus, but a storm stops the Turkish fleet in Act II, eliminating the reason for Othello’s journey to Cyprus. Why do you think Shakespeare moved the action of the play to Cyprus, rather than leave his characters in Venice?

Which character does Iago have the easiest time manipulating, and why might some characters be more susceptible to his manipulation than others?

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107 Othello Essay Topics & Research Questions + Examples

If you’re searching for ideas for your paper on Shakespeare’s famous play, our Othello essay questions will be of great help to you! You’ll also find plenty of good Othello essay examples. Read on to get inspired!

💀 TOP 7 Othello Essay Questions

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• Emilia’s Role in the Play Othello by Shakespeare
• Analysis of the Character ‘Othello’
• Shakespeare’s Othello Movie Adaptation Overview and Social Relevance
• Domestic Violence in “Othello” by W. Shakespeare
• Othello and Antigone: Compare & Contrast
• Black and White Colors in “Othello” by Shakespeare
• Examining the Role of Desdemona in Shakespeare’s “Othello”

Are you looking for writing prompts for your “Othello” research paper or a literature essay? Check out the ideas below:

• The theme of trust and betrayal in “Othello.” Trust plays a critical role in this play. You can write a literary analysis essay exploring how trust is gained, lost, and manipulated in “Othello.”
• Imagery and symbolism in “Othello.” Here, you can write an argumentative essay supporting your understanding of the play’s symbols. For example, what does the handkerchief symbolize? Or what does animal imagery mean, like a “black ram” and a “Barbary horse” in reference to Othello?
• Jealousy in “Othello.” You can write a persuasive essay convincing your audience of the dangers of jealousy. Use evidence from the play to prove your point. Consider how it drives characters’ actions and what adverse consequences result from it.
• Iago’s manipulation techniques. Iago is a master manipulator, so you can focus your discussion on exploring how he persuades others to think and do what he wants. You can review how he exploits Othello’s trust, fabricates evidence, creates false friendships, and provokes jealousy to achieve his goals.
• Shakespeare’s Othello and Its Cultural Aspects “Othello” is not a simple domestic tragedy, as it seemed to many generations of viewers, actors, critics, and historians of literature and theater.
• “Othello” by Shakespeare: Desdemona as a Strong Character In his tragedy “Othello” Shakespeare describes Desdemona as a strong woman who can resist oppression and protect her values and ideas.
• Women Role in Shakespeare’s Othello and Hamlet The villain role of women in the Shakespeare’s plays Othello and Hamlet seems to have inspired the themes in both literary works.
• “Othello” a Tragedy by William Shakespeare In essence, there are several instances of conflict in the play. Conflict among men is more dominant than conflict between the two genders. The play contains more scenes of conflict than love.
• Analysis of Reverse Psychology Used by Lago in Shakespeare’s “Othello” The essay explores the uniqueness of the character through the focus on how Iago uses reverse psychology in telling the truth within his lies to fool other characters of the play.
• William Shakespeare’s “Othello, the Moor of Venice”: An Aristotelian Tragedy The experiences that Othello went through – from prominence to downfall are sufficient to label him as a tragic hero; hence, the play can be classified as an Aristotelian tragedy.
• William Shakespeare’s Othello as a Tragic Hero Othello by William Shakespeare is an excellent example of the traditional Aristotelian tragic hero as far as his destiny and inner suffering.
• Analysis of Othello Speech With Brabantio The analysis focuses on Othello’s speech from the writing’s Act 1, Scene 3 where context is based on Brabantio accusing Othello about the latter stealing the former’s daughter.
• Strength in One’s Convictions in Shakespeare’s “Othello” Objectification of women is an important concept that Shakespeare impressively incorporates throughout Othello.
• Mustafa Sa’eed from Season of Migration to the North Compared to Shakespeare’s Caliban & Othello Mustafa Sa’eed is uniquely similar to Caliban from William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” in his resistance to invading cultures of colonialism through the context of sexual revenge.
• Critical Analysis of “Othello” Individuals tend to perceive the meanings of the words ‘dignity’ and ‘confidence’ differently, depending on their nature and nurture.
• Lies vs. Truths in Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Othello” In his play “The Tragedy of Othello,” Shakespeare successfully addressed various lies that different characters believed in. Most of these lies are tied to racism.
• Iago in Shakespeare’s Othello Play This paper examines Shakespeare’s play; it explores the conflicts between the dominant characters, their personalities, and their goals.
• Who Is to Blame for the Tragedy of Othello by Shakespeare The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice by Shakespeare is a sexual jealousy tragedy that pioneers the investigation of racial discrimination.
• “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu vs. “Othello” by Shakespeare “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu is an example of a Non-Western work of literature that qualifies as classics. “Othello” by William Shakespeare is an example of Western classics.
• Master of Deceit in “Othello”: Iago in the Film Adaptation The paper states that the film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello, directed by Oliver Parker, mirrors the original play’s chronology and setting.
• Plot, Themes, and Characters of “Othello” by Shakespeare Two themes dominate the plot of “Othello” by Shakespeare – jealousy and racism, both of which this paper will explore.
• Dramatic Purposes of Roderigo in Shakespeare’s “Othello” Roderigo is one of the characters in this book having significance and dramatic purposes, particularly the dramatic purpose of being a one-sided lover.
• Shakespeare’s “Othello”: Iago’s Honesty As the play progresses we see how Iago changes from an honest and sincere person to become evil, by introducing Iago’s character the evils in society are brought to light.
• Literary and Psychological Prowess of Shakespeare’s “Othello” Shakespeare uses Othello’s weaknesses to justify his sad conclusion that people such as Othello and his ilk are unfit to rule because of their inherent flaws.
• Shakespeare’s Othello’s and O. J. Simpson’s Tragedies This article compares and contrasts Shakespeare’s Othello and O.J. Simpson in the context of racism and class inequality.
• “Othello” by William Shakespeare In his play, Shakespeare portrays a very jealous character named Lago, who got disappointed with his friend Othello for denying him the chance of becoming a lieutenant.
• Iago: Black Man in “Othello” by Shakespeare
• Honesty, Dishonesty, and Manipulation in “Othello”
• Dramatic Poetry and Direct Prose in Shakespeare’s “Othello”
• Hatred and Harsh Trickery With Extreme Consequences in the Play “Othello” by William Shakespeare
• Gender Roles and Racism in “Othello”
• Differences and Similarities Between “Othello” and “Things Fall Apart”
• Friendship Between Othello and Iago According to Friedrich Nietzsche
• Can Pathos and Ethos Compel “Othello” Out of Logic?
• Iago’s Cunning Character Exposed Othello’s Vulnerability in Jealousy
• Desdemona and the “Jewel” Motif Recurrence in William Shakespeare’s “Othello”
• Desdemona and the Patriarchy in “Othello”
• Iago’s Motive for Power and Revenge in “Othello”
• Brabantio, the Protective Father in Shakespeare’s “Othello”
• Honesty and Trust Throughout “Othello” Play
• Did Othello Truly Love Desdemona?
• Othello: Iago and His Self-Knowledge The paper discusses that in Othello, the struggle over love, loyalty, and will is exacerbated by Iago’s manipulation of everyone around him.
• From a Villain to a Victim and Back: Othello and Iago Despite the fact that Othello does turn into a beast at a certain point, the splendor of his character and the misery that seizes him completely do not allow him to choose him as the main villain.
• Othello as Aristotelian Tragic Hero This paper presents that Long before Shakespeare, the Greek philosopher Aristotle formulated specific attributes or principles of a tragic hero.
• Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and Shakespeare’s Othello The entire implementation of values needful to a man in every epoch and under any circumstances is displayed on the examples of Othello and Oedipus Rex for further generations of people.
• Othello and Paradise Lost Literary Analysis Desdemona was devoted to her husband until the end and treated him with patience even after all the mistreatment that was done to her.
• The Play “Othello” by William Shakespeare Shakespeare’s play “Othello” is a storyline behind a respectable general and the main character, Othello, who endures a series of tragedies from his deceitful and vengeful advisor.
• Review of “Othello” by Shakespeare An analysis of Shakespeare’s “Othello” work will help to understand better the author’s central message about how blindly following feelings can ruin a person.
• Female Characters in “Antigone” by Sophocles and “Othello” by Shakespeare Female characters Antigone and Emilia, from Sophocles’ play “Antigone” and Shakespeare’s “Othello”, constitute examples of independent women who do not lose control of their lives.
• The Play “Othello” by William Shakespeare It is worth noting that the play “Othello,” written by William Shakespeare, is a rather complicated story that can be explored at different levels.
• Negativism in “Othello” by William Shakespeare Othello is one of the most popular plays by William Shakespeare. It has a lot of themes that intricate the mind of a viewer and a reader as well.
• Shakespeare’s “Othello” Play Exploration The current essay deals with a difficult but quite important topic tied with the role of race in Shakespeare’s Othello.
• Racial Issues in Othello and Their Relevance Most of the conflicts unfolding in the play are built around the problems of racism, which do not lose their relevance even after centuries have passed since Othello was written.
• Othello Versus Shakuntala: Ultimate Lessons Both Shakuntala and Othello explore the notions of love and conflict, but the ultimate lessons learned differ significantly because of the main characters’ actions.
• William Shakespeare’s “Othello”: Analysis the Play The paper begins with a brief note about the character of Iago in William Shakespeare’s play Othello. Causes of Iago’s revenge.
• About Acts I and II Othello: Analysis Iago, portrayed as highly ambitious in the tragedy, exhibits a readiness to take any action for personal gain, evident from the opening verses.
• Emilia & Iago’s Schemes in “Othello” by Shakespeare The essay demonstrates justifications for the idea that Emilia from “Othello” is not innocent as she seems regarding Iago’s schemes.
• Shakespeare’s “Othello”: A Venetian Tragedy of Love William Shakespeare’s play “Othello” is about anxiety and lack of peace of mind as well as the fact that other actions may have saved people’s lives.
• Desdemona and Lago’s Conflict in “Othello” by Shakespeare The paper discusses Othello by Shakespeare. There is a conflict between Desdemona and Iago over women’s nature, which ends with a rational way of thinking.
• “The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice” by Shakespeare Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Othello, The Moor of Venice” is a play about secrets, plotting and revenge telling the tragic story of Othello, who is secretly married to Desdemona.
• Character Analysis of “Othello” by Shakespeare At first glance, Othello seems simply a tragedy of jealousy. However, the ideas ingrained in the play seem to be broader and more complicated from the very first acts.
• Othello, Cassio and Iago in the Play “Othello” by William Shakespeare Othello, Cassio and Iago are very different people with their own life experiences and this plays a very important role in the play “Othello” by William Shakespeare.
• A Worldwide Famous Tragedy: Othello by Shakespeare Othello is a worldwide famous tragedy written by Shakespeare that has always been popular among theater directors interpreting it in different styles.
• Othello’s Image in Shakespeare’s Tragedy The purpose of this work is to analyze how Othello’s difference influences his image in the enemies’ eyes and how he starts to evaluate himself once he has killed his wife.
• Explain How Iago Manipulates the Other Characters in the Play “Othello”
• Does Iago Cause the Tragedy of Othello?
• The Reasons Why Othello Orders the Death of Desdemona
• Discuss How Lago From “Othello” Exploits Others to Achieve His Goal
• Honorable Admirable and Unchanged Character of Othello
• Desdemona and the Norms of Sexual Morality in Shakespeare’s “Othello”
• Examining Othello’s Character, Flaws, and Changes Throughout the Play
• Challenges and Prejudices Faced by Othello Shaped His Character
• Contrasting the Characters Desdemona and Emilia in the Play “Othello”
• Describing the Courage and Heroism of Othello in Shakespeare’s “Othello”
• Critically Exploring William Shakespeare’s “Othello” From a Marxist Perspective
• Gender Equality and the Status of Women in the Play “Othello” by William Shakespeare
• Analyzing the Tragic Hero in Shakespeare’s “Othello”
• Evil and Immoral Characters in the Play “Othello” by William Shakespeare
• Feminist and Psychoanalytical Interpretations of Shakespeare’s “Othello”
• Does Othello Meet the Standards of a Tragic Hero?
• How Do Age, Social Position, and Race Impact the Relationship Between Othello and Desdemona?
• Why Does Iago Hate Othello?
• Does the Context of War and Soldiery Contribute to the Tragedy in Shakespeare’s “Othello”?
• How and Why Does Iago Convince Othello of Desdemona’s Infidelity?
• Would the Themes in “Othello” Appeal to a Contemporary Audience?
• How Are Othello and Blanche Dubois Alienated in Their Societies?
• Should William Shakespeare’s “Othello” be Called “Iago”?
• How Are the Characters Empowered or Disempowered in “Brilliant Lies” and “Othello”?
• Were “Othello” and “The Merchant of Venice” Racist Plays?
• How Does Shakespeare Use Humor in “Othello”?
• What Are the Contextual Factors Important to the Study of “Othello”?
• How Does Iago Attempt to Poison Othello Against Desdemona and Cassio and to What Extent Is Iago’s Plan Working?
• What Are the Qualities “Othello” Possesses Which Makes It a Tragedy?
• How Does Othello’s Attitude Towards Desdemona Change Towards the End of the Play?
• Does Othello’s Character Change Over the Course of the Play?
• How Does Shakespeare Use Language and Dramatic Devices to Present the Theme of Jealousy in “Othello”?
• What Are the Similarities Between “Macbeth” and “Othello”?
• How Does Sax Portray Othello and Desdemona’s Relationship?
• What Can Lawyers Learn From “Othello”?
• How Does Shakespeare Present Iago’s Manipulation of Othello?
• What Role Does Incoherent Language Play in “Othello”?
• How Does Shakespeare Present Love in “Othello”?
• What Role Does Race Play in “Othello”?
• How Effective Are the First Two Scenes of “Othello”?

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StudyCorgi. (2022, May 10). 107 Othello Essay Topics & Research Questions + Examples. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/othello-essay-topics/

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These essay examples and topics on Othello were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on January 21, 2024 .

Shakespeare’s Othello: Essay Samples - Links & Essential Info

If you want to write a paper on any topic related to Othello , this article will be your life-saver. Our team collected various free samples on one page. See what Othello essay interests you and click on the link to read it.

✍ Othello: Essay Samples

• Theme of Jealousy in Othello by Shakespeare Genre: Research paper Words: 1643 Focused on: The issues of jealousy, manipulation, and jealousy Characters mentioned: Iago, Othello, Roderigo, Desdemona, Brabantio, Cassio
• The Tragedy of Othello Genre: Research paper Words: 1651 Focused on: Othello’s tragedy and whether it was self-inflicted Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Cassio, Desdemona, Roderigo, Brabantio, Emilia, Bianca
• Othello by William Shakespeare Genre: Essay Words: 888 Focused on: Catastrophe, race, and misrepresentation Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Cassio, Desdemona
• Irony in “Othello” by Shakespeare Genre: Analytical Essay Words: 907 Focused on: How irony drives the plot of Othello Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Desdemona, Emilia
• Summary about Shakespeare’s Othello Genre: Essay Words: 837 Focused on: Retelling of Othello Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Cassio, Roderigo, Desdemona, Emilia, Brabantio
• Othello by William Shakespeare Genre: Term paper Words: 1141 Focused on: Comparison of the play with Tim Nelson’s 2001 movie O Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Desdemona, Cassio
• Shakespeare’s Othello, the Moor of Venice Genre: Research paper Words: 1404 Focused on: Character traits of Iago and Othello, and how they drive the story Characters mentioned: Iago, Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, Roderigo, Emilia
• The Downfall of Othello Genre: Essay Words: 1687 Focused on: Comparison of Othello’s and Oedipus’s downfalls Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Brabantio, Cassio, Desdemona
• “Othello” by William Shakespeare Genre: Essay Words: 548 Focused on: The role of minor characters in Othello Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Cassio, Emilia
• Character of Iago in “Othello” by Shakespeare Analysis Genre: Essay Words: 1080 Focused on: Character analysis of Iago and his evil nature Characters mentioned: Iago, Othello, Cassio, Desdemona, Emilia, Roderigo,
• Critical Analysis of the Tragedy of Othello Genre: Essay, Critical Writing Words: 971 Focused on: Stage directions , the play’s modernity, and geographical symbolism Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Desdemona
• Jealousy in “Othello” by W.Shakespeare Genre: Analytical Essay Words: 1611 Focused on: Good vs. evil as characterized by jealousy Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Cassio, Desdemona, Emilia, Roderigo
• Othello as the Outsider Genre: Essay Words: 1356 Focused on: Othello as an outcast in society and how his language and behavior reflect it Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Desdemona
• Racism in Play “Othello” by William Shakespeare Genre: Essay Words: 867 Focused on: The theme of racism and how it’s shown in the play Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Cassio, Brabantio, Desdemona
• Othello and Desdemona: Emotional Strangers Genre: Essay Words: 1243 Focused on: The relationship between Othello and Desdemona Characters mentioned: Othello, Desdemona, Iago, Cassio
• What Can Lawyers Learn From ‘Othello’? Genre: Essay Words: 692 Focused on: Why lawyers should read Othello Characters mentioned: Othello, Cassio, Iago
• Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Othello: The Words and Actions of Iago Genre: Essay Words: 1421 Focused on: Why Iago is an excellent villain, comparison of Iago and Joker from The Dark Knight Characters mentioned: Iago, Othello, Cassio
• Othello and Snow Country: Personal Opinion Genre: Critical Essay Words: 994 Focused on: Love and passion in Shakespeare’s Othello and Yasunari Kawabata’s Snow Country Characters mentioned: Othello, Desdemona
• Othello’s Fall from Grace and Redemption at the End of the Play Genre: Essay Words: 1145 Focused on: Themes of jealousy and gullibility Characters mentioned: Othello, Desdemona, Iago
• Othello’s tragedy Genre: Essay Words: 830 Focused on: The cause of Othello’s tragedy Characters mentioned: Othello, Desdemona, Iago
• The issue of racial prejudice Genre: Research paper Words: 2198 Focused on: Racial prejudices, discrimination towards Othello and foreigners in general, cultural and historical context Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Brabantio, Desdemona
• Humiliation of Iago (Othello) Genre: Essay Words: 589 Focused on: Possible motives of Iago Characters mentioned: Iago, Othello, Desdemona
• Compare and Contrast Shakespeare’s Othello and the Blind Owl by Sedayat Genre: Compare and Contrast Essay Words: 1370 Focused on: Differences and similarities of the plots and themes of Shakespeare’s Othello and the Blind Owl by Sedayat Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Desdemona
• Remembrance and Redemption Relationship Genre: Essay Words: 1471 Focused on: Theme of redemption in Othello , Mansfield Park, and A Small Place Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Cassio
• Treatment of women by Shakespeare and Sophocles Genre: Essay Words: 1895 Focused on: Different treatments of women in Othello and Oedipus Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Desdemona, Emilia, Cassio, Roderigo, Brabantio
• The Feminist critique Genre: Essay Words: 2062 Focused on: The role of women in Elizabethan society as told by Othello Characters mentioned: Desdemona, Emilia, Bianca, Othello, Iago, Cassio, Duke of Venice, Brabantio
• Comparison and Contrast of the Driving Force of Plot in Medea by Euripides, Othello by William Shakespeare, and the Epic of Gilgamesh Genre: Essay Words: 568 Focused on: Heroism in Medea by Euripides, Othello by William Shakespeare, and The Epic of Gilgamesh Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Brabantio, Roderigo
• Violence of Shakespeare Genre: Term paper Words: 1701 Focused on: Violent behavior in Titus Andronicus , Hamlet , and Othello Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Desdemona
• Philosophy of Literature: Shakespearean Tragedy Genre: Essay Words: 1218 Focused on: How tragic incidences make heroes be villains as shown in Othello and Macbeth Characters mentioned: Othello, Desdemona, Iago
• Machiavelli and Othello’s Leadership Skills Essay Genre: Essay Words: 584 Focused on: Leadership skills in Machiavelli’s The Prince and Shakespeare’s Othello Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago
• The Life And Work Of William Shakespeare: His Contribution To The Contemporary Theater Genre: Research paper Words: 1371 Focused on: The contribution of William Shakespeare’s works to contemporary theater Characters mentioned: Othello, Desdemona, Iago
• Othello and Oedipus Rex Characters’ Traits Genre: Essay Words: 963 Focused on: Character and tragic traits of Othello and Oedipus Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Desdemona
• Iago and Othello Relationships Genre: Research paper Words: 1254 Focused on: Iago’s and Othello’s relationships and how it contributes the plot Characters mentioned: Othello, Iago, Desdemona, Emilia
• Cultural Diversity in the Play “Othello” Genre: Essay Words: 822 Focused on: The play’s reflection of society and racial prejudices Characters mentioned: Othello, Desdemona, Iago

Thanks for checking our samples! We hope you’ve found them helpful. For more information about Othello , see the links below.

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• Play’s Plot Explored
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Othello A Level Essay Questions

Subject: English

Age range: 16+

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

20 February 2020

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These documents have been developed to assist teachers and students in preparing for their A-Level Literature exam on Shakespeare’s “Othello”.

The first document has 43 essay questions that deal with Othello, Iago, Desdemona, Emilia, Bianca, Cassio, Roderigo and the many major themes of the play.

The second document has been specifically formatted to assist in preparing for the CCEA A2 Unit 1 (Shakespearean Genres) exam. 28 extracts have been selected from the play, each with corresponding exam-style essay questions to assist students in selecting appropriate parts of the play for their written responses.

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Kristina_Lennon

Great selection of questions. Saved me a lot of time thinking up from scratch for HW questions and revision resources.

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A good selection of questions. It allows for differentiation within the unit.

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Othello Essay Topics

• Essay Topics

Othello Essay Questions

• Othello: Can Pathos And Ethos Get Him To Stop Reasoning?
• In Othello, Why Does Iago Succeed In Convincing Desdemona To Cheat On Him?
• Where Do Othello And Blanche Dubois Feel Like Outsiders In Their Communities?
• How Jealousy Leads Towards The Tragedy In “Othello”?
• What Makes Iago, Shakespeare’s Villain in “Othello,” So Effectively Written?
• Can Othello Be Considered A Tragic Hero?
• How Does Iago Persuade Othello That Desdemona And Cassio Must Be Killed?
• Discuss The Significance Of Race In Othello
• Iago’s Plan to Poison Othello against Desdemona Is Presented In What Ways?
• What Effects Do Othello And Desdemona’s Age Difference, Social Status, And Race Have On Their Relationship?
• When Comparing “Brilliant Lies” And “Othello,” How Do You Feel The Characters Are Empowered Or Disempowered?
• Why Isn’t Shakespeare’s Othello Called Iago?
• What Makes Othello A Tragic Play, And What Are Those Qualities?
• What Role Does Iago Play In The Tragic End For Othello And Desdemona?
• To What Extent Does Iago Use Desdemona’s Supposed Infidelity To Convince Othello That Desdemona Is Unfaithful?
• Justifications for Othello’s Murder of Desdemona
• As Opposed To Desdemona, Why Does Othello Put His Faith In Iago?
• Is Iago Responsible For Othello’s Misfortune?
• The Similarities Between Macbeth And Othello Are Discussed
• Discuss The Extent To Which The Setting Of War And Soldiery Contributes To The Tragedy Of “Othello” By William Shakespeare
• In “Othello,” Whose Fault Is The Tragic Ending?
• In What Ways Does One’s Understanding Of “Othello” Require Consideration Of Its Historical And Cultural Context?
• Exactly How Did Iago Influence Othello?
• How Important Is Nonsensical Speech In “Othello”?
• What Changes Take Place In Othello’s Character Throughout William Shakespeare’s Tragic Play?
• Othello’s Dialogue And Actions: What Do They Reveal About His Personality?
• What Kind Of Love Did Desdemona And Othello Share, If Any?
• What About Desdemona Made Othello’s Feelings Of Love?
• Examine The Ending Of “Othello” And Explain How It Relates To The Themes And Defining Features Of The Text As A Whole
• What about Racism in “Othello” And “The Merchant of Venice?

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Othello Exam Questions

First of all let’s look at the broad categories questions usually fall into:

You must be able to discuss the following when it comes to  characters :

• a tragic hero? (does he recognise his flaws and gain self-knowledge?)
• his nobility (is he a good man?) / strengths & weaknesses / virtues & flaws
• his relationship with Desdemona & treatment of her
• his manipulation by Iago and transformation into a jealous brute
• the extent to which he is responsible for the tragedy which occurs at the end of the play
• our level of sympathy for him
• the real ‘hero’ of the action?
• flaws and virtues?
• his motivation
• how he controls & manipulates all of the action/characters
• too good to be true or a believable character?
• dramatic function in the play?

Emilia / Bianca:

• Emilia’s dramatic function in the play
• foils to Desdemona – worldly and cynical rather than pure and innocent
• add variety to Shakespeare’s presentation of women & his exploration of their position in society
• symbol of goodness
• extent to which he contributes to the tragedy

All characters:

• contrast the extremes of good and evil presented in the characters in the play
• the play is very pessimistic about human nature
• the play is very pessimistic about human relationships

The major  themes  in the play are:

• Revenge / Power
• Good vs Evil
• Appearance vs Reality (Deception/Manipulation)
• Love & Hate / Loyalty & Betrayal
• Women’s position in society

For each theme – no matter what the wording – ask yourself

• WHO  does this theme apply to?
• HOW / WHY  does this character have to deal with this issue?
• Do they  CHANGE  over the course of the play?
• Are there any  SCENES  which highlight this theme specifically?
• What are our  FINAL IMPRESSIONS  of this issue?

OPEN QUESTIONS:

• Relevance to a modern audience
• Pessimistic play

STYLE QUESTIONS:

• Language & Imagery
• Dramatic Irony
• Compelling Drama – scene or scenes

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Othello & Iago:

 “ Othello’s foolishness, rather than Iago’s cleverness, leads to the tragedy of Shakespeare’s Othello ” (2008)

“ It is Othello’s egotism and lack of self-knowledge, and not Iago’s evil schemes, which ultimately bring about the tragedy at the end of the play “

“ Othello is arrogant, impulsive and violent. While Iago sets up the conditions for tragedy to occur, it is Othello, ultimately, who we must hold responsible for the tragic events which unfold “

“ A combination of Iago’s skill, Othello’s weakness and a measure of good luck, bring about the tragedy in Othello “

“ Iago cannot be blamed for the deaths of Desdemona and Othello “

“ We cannot blame Othello for being fooled by Iago. Everyone else in the play, including Iago’s wife, believes that he  is honest and true “

“ Othello and Iago are both egotists, obsessed with proving how clever and capable they are, and hell bent on revenge when they feel they have been wronged “

“Othello is the principal agent of his own downfall” (1994)

“ Othello is essentially a noble character, flawed by insecurity & a nature that is naive & unsophisticated ” (1990)

“ Othello is a good man who is skilfully manipulated by Iago. For this reason, despite his credulousness, we continue to feel sorry for him “

“ Iago’s schemes succeed, not because Othello is weak, but because he is so noble “

“ Othello is a noble hero who loses, but ultimately regains our sympathy “

“ We do not approve of Othello’s behaviour, yet we nonetheless pity him “

“ Othello is not a tragic hero; he is a gullible fool “

“ Othello is not a tragic hero. He never really takes responsibility for his errors of character and judgement”

“ Despite his suffering, Othello learns little of himself or of human relationships “

To what extent do you agree with Othello’s assessment of himself as an “ honourable murderer ” who “ loved not wisely but too well “?

“ The collapse of Othello and Desdemona’s marriage is the real tragedy of this play “

“ Iago is the real hero of Shakespeare’s play Othello ”

“ Iago is a likable villain ”

“ Iago is motivated by jealousy of others good fortune and by a lust for power ”

“Iago is a charming villain, but it is difficult to understand his motivation”

“ Iago is an evil villain with no redeeming qualities “

“ While we are repulsed by Iago’s evil, we are fascinated by his ingenuity “

“ Iago is the most evil but also the most fascinating character in the play Othello”

“ Desdemona is not a credible character, she is an unrealistic saint who does nothing to try and prevent her fate ”

“ Desdemona is a woman, not an angel; she lives and loves with her whole person, both body and soul ”

“ Desdemona’s dramatic function in the play is to act as a symbol of purity, innocence and goodness but this means that her behaviour is not always entirely believable ”

“ Desdemona and Iago are at opposite poles in the play, Othello, the one representing pure love, the other hate incarnate “. (1986)

Emilia / Bianca: 

Discuss the importance of the character Emilia in the play as a whole. (1994)

“ Women are not presented in a very positive light in Shakespeare’s Othello “

“ Cassio may be a ‘proper man’ but he is also an honest fool whose weakness plays no small part in the tragic death of Desdemona ”

“ Shakespeare’s play Othello demonstrates the weakness of human judgement ” (2008)

“ Shakespeare’s Othello presents the very best and the very worst in human nature ”

“ Shakespeare’s Othello presents us with a dark and pessimistic view of human nature”

“Shakespeare’s Othello presents us with a dark and pessimistic view of human relationships”

“ In the play Othello, naive, innocent characters are no match for the evil machinations of the world weary Iago “

“ The destructive power of jealousy is dramatically presented in Shakespeare’s play Othello ”

“ Shakespeare’s Othello is concerned not so much with jealousy, as with misunderstanding ”

“ Shakespeare’s play Othello powerfully portrays a world dominated by jealousy and revenge”

“ Evil ultimately conquers good in Shakespeare’s play Othello ”

“In Shakespeare’s play Othello, we witness a profound inability to distinguish between appearances and reality”

“ Appearances do not mask a sinister reality in this play, yet Iago manages to convince every character that there is more going on than meets the eye”

“ Love and hate are presented as opposite sides of the same coin in Shakespeare’s play Othello ”

“ Shakespeare’s Othello initially questions, but then confirms racist stereotypes ”

“ The role and status of women is dramatically explored in Shakespeare’s Othello”

Open questions:

“Shakespeare’s Othello remains relevant for a modern audience”

“ Despite the striking portrayals of goodness and nobility, the play Othello leaves the audience with a sense of dismal despair ”

Style questions:

“ Image of animals, images of storm and images of heaven and hell predominate in Othello ” (1990)

 “ Irony is a powerful dramatic device used by Shakespeare to heighten the tragic dimension of his play Othello ” (1998)

Othello contains many scenes of compelling drama. Choose one scene which you found particularly compelling and discuss why you found it so.

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