Q. What role did the handkerchief play in bringing about Desdemona’s ruins?
Ans. The handkerchief played a significant role in bringing about Desdemona’s ruins. It was Othello’s first gift to Desdemona. A charmer gave the Handkerchief to Othello’s mother and instructed her to preserve it carefully as it would maintain a happy conjugal life. Iago claimed that he had seen Cassio wiping his face with that strawberry-spotted handkerchief. Othello became restless. It made Othello suspicious that Desdemona was unfaithful. She had a secret relationship with Cassio. It was the treacherous villain Iago who employed her wife to steal and drop it in Cassio’s way. When Othello asked for the handkerchief and Desdemona was unable to show it, his suspicion intensified. Finally, out of fierce anger, he stifled her to death.
Q. Why did Othello decide to kill Desdemona and himself?
Ans. Othello decided to kill Desdemona because he thought that if she would alive, she would betray more men like him. Iago, the treacherous villain, contrived a plan to turn the gentle qualities of the innocent lady into her destruction. He cunningly convinced Othello that Desdemona was unfaithful. She had an illicit relationship with Cassio. Othello was entrapped by the conspiracy and stifled her by covering up in the bedsheets till death. As soon as Desdemona was killed, wounded and bleeding Cassio came in and disclosed the crime of Iago showing the letters. It was a thunder stoke to Othello. He could not tolerate the extreme anguish of killing such an innocent and faithful wife and killed himself.
Q. Sketch how Iago has been characterised in Othello?
Iago has been characterized as a treacherous villain in the play Othello. He was a malicious person. When Othello promoted Cassio to the rank of lieutenant, he was scornful of Cassio. He had another unjust suspicion that Othello was too fond of his wife Emilia. So, he devised a plan of revenge to destroy them. In Cyprus, Iago lured Cassio to drink. He made him drunk and involved him in a scuffle. Othello demoted Cassio from his rank. Thus, Iago’s first scheme was successful. He implanted a seed of jealousy and suspicion in Othello’s heart. He provoked Othello regarding the secret relationship between Desdemona and Cassio. The handkerchief episode shows her shrewdness. Desdemona and Othello were the victims of his contriving stratagem. When his treachery was disclosed, he was executed with strict punishment.
Q. What led Desdemona to marry Othello?
Ans. Desdemona was a beautiful and gentle lady. Many suitors craved her but Desdemona had chosen Othello, a Moor, a dark complexion nobleman. She regarded the heart more than the appearance and complexion of a man. He was a valiant soldier who was raised to the rank of General. Othello was a great traveller. He used to narrate the adventurous stories of battles, encounters, his captivation by the insolent enemy, savage nations etc. Desdemona used to listen to the stories with rapt attention and gradually fell in love. She even indirectly accepted her love for him after the end of the stories. She was fascinated by Othello’s heroic deeds and the art of storytelling and decided to marry Othello.
Q. How did Othello overcome the fury of Brabantio after marrying Desdemona?
Ans. The marriage of Othello and Desdemona was privately solemnized. When Brabantio came to know about it, he became furious. He appealed to the Duke against Othello, accusing him of casting spell and witchcraft to seduce gentle Desdemona and marrying her daughter without taking the consent of her father. Othello was called upon to the senate for his defence. He narrated a simple story of his love with artless eloquence. The duke was impressed. The duke confessed that Othello’s honest art of wooing and the skill of telling a soft tale had won the heart of Desdemona. Desdemona also confirmed the statement of Othello and Brabantio could not but accept him as his son-in-law. In this way, Othello overcame the fury of Brabantio.
Q. Discuss how Othello’s love for Desdemona changed into mistrust in the story?
Ans. Othello and Desdemona loved one another very much. In their love affair, Cassio helped them. Othello promoted Cassio to the rank of lieutenant. This was the cause of Iago’s offence. Iago was senior to Cassio and thought to be befitting for the post. Fierce with anger, Iago planned a scheme of revenge. He instilled a seed of jealousy and suspicion in Othello’s mind. He provoked Othello that Desdemona was unfaithful. She had an illicit relationship with Cassio. Shrewd Iago used his wife to steal and drop the handkerchief in Cassio’s way. Then he informed Othello that he had seen the strawberry-spotted handkerchief in Cassio’s hand. In this way, Othello’s love for Desdemona changed into mistrust.
Q. Why did Othello kill himself?
Ans. Othello, the Moor, was a brave soldier, but his mind was rather simple as he could not suspect a person like lago who knew well how to poison one’s mind gradually by way of presenting himself as a confidant. If Othello captived the mind of Desdemona, it was because he could tell the stories of his adventures so eloquently that an innocent lady like Desdemona, who was extremely fond of earliest recollections, battles, and sieges, fell in love with him. It was of course Othello’s bravery and nobility that won her heart. On the contrary, Othello’s love for Desdemona was too profound to be conjectured. But the fact is that Othello failed to retain his belief in Desdemona. When he was instigated by lago constantly, he could not think for a while that the relationship between Desdemona and Cassio was rather simple; for Desdemona never loved Cassio as she loved her husband. They had just the wonderful relaxation of spirit which lago, being cunning and revengeful, exploited. He could do so whenever he realized that Othello’s profound love for his wife might result in unjustifiable jealousy due to the fact that Cassio’s complexion and handsome features might appear superior to the Moor. Othello, being black and Moor, had his inherent weakness which made him oblivious to his valiant qualities for which Desdemona chose him as her husband amidst many suitors of senatorial rank. Thus, unable to cope with his emotional problem, Othello decided to kill Desdemona. He did so; but he came to know immediately when Cassio was being attacked to be killed, that Desdemona was innocent, and that lago’s villainy was the cause of murdering Desdemona. He realized that Desdemona was completely innocent. As Othello loved Desdemona very much, he felt great remorse; thus, he had no other way than to kill himself to justify his own evil act of murdering his beloved.
Q. Discuss in short the character of Othello.
Ans. Othello is a cultural and racial outsider in Venice. His skill as a soldier is praised all over the country and the Venetian government has absolute trust in him.
Othello is not good to look at. He is a moor, a dark-skinned, man. He did not belong to Desdemona’s clime or complexion. His heroic performance against the Turks endears him to the lady as well as to the nation. He is also a great adventurer and has numerous experiences. His art of storytelling must be interesting, otherwise, Desdemona would not have been so fascinated to hear the exciting and romantic events of his life.
Othello’s love for Desdemona is pure. It is aptly said that he had loved Desdemona not wisely but too well. He is noble but vulnerable. He is passionate and his greatest flaw is relying on lago. He easily believes in the words of lago and does not judge the incidents himself. He wonders if Desdemona is cheating on him because he is black. He is tormented by jealousy and suffers terribly from the agony of doubt ad fear.
Othello is rash in his actions. His killing of Desdemona is an immediate result of his resentment and anger. Again his remorse is as dreadful as his revenge has been.
That is why he instantly kills himself knowing how innocent and faithful Desdemona has been. Thus it may be said that Othello is easily manipulated but he is an honest man.
Q. Who was Cassio? How was the relationship between Cassio and Othello-Desdemona?
Ans. Michael Cassio was the most trustworthy friend of Othello. He was a young soldier, a Florentine, gay, amorous and a pleasing personality. He was handsome and eloquent. Othello promoted Cassio to the rank of lieutenant.
Cassio was a very close common friend of Othello and Desdemona. Othello employed Cassio in his love affair with Desdemona. He would often dispute Cassio to go courting for him. Next to Othello, Cassio was the person whom gentle Desdemona loved and trusted. Their marriage did not make any difference in their behaviour to Michael Cassio. He frequented Othello’s house. Although Othello was a man of serious temper, Cassio and Desdemona would talk and laugh together. Thus, Cassio was a confidant of both Othello and Desdemona.
Q. What stories did Desdemona like to hear from Othello?
Ans. Desdemona liked to hear from Othello the stories of his adventure. The stories were of the battles, sieges and encounters. He would tell Desdemona how he had overcome perils, how he entered a breach, how he escaped, how he marched up to the mouth of a cannon, how he had been captivated by the insolent enemy and sold as a slave, etc. Othello would also tells Desdemona that, in foreign countries, he had seen the vast wilderness and the romantic caverns, the quarries, the rocks, lofty mountains touching the clouds, the savage nations, etc. Othello also told Desdemona stories of the cannibals, and of the Anthropophagi in Africa whose heads grow beneath their shoulders.
Q. When did Brabantio accept Othello as his son-in-law? What was his message of warning to Othello?
Ans. Othello married Desdemona, Brabantio’s daughter, secretly. It made Brabantio infuriated, and he lodged a complaint against Othello in the assembly of the Senators before the Duke. Othello was asked to give an explanation. Othello admitted that he won Desdemona’s heart through his art of telling a short story. Appearing in the assembly Desdemona confirmed the statement of Othello. She acknowledged that she had been dutiful to her father, and now she was more dutiful to Othello, her husband. Being unable to maintain his plea, Brabantio accepted Othello as his son-in-law.
Brabantio’s message of warning to Othello was that Desdemona might deceive him one day as she had deceived her father.
Q. What stories did Desdemona like to hear from Othello?
ANS. Desdemona liked to hear from Othello the stories of his adventure. The stories were of the battles, sieges and encounters. He would tell Desdemona how he had overcome perils, how he entered a breach, how he escaped, how he marched up to the mouth of a cannon, how he had been captivated by the insolent enemy and sold as a slave, etc. Othello would also tell Desdemona that, in foreign countries, he had seen the vast wilderness and the romantic caverns, the quarries, the rocks, lofty mountains touching the clouds, the savage nations, etc. Othello also told Desdemona stories of the cannibals, and of the Anthropophagi in Africa whose heads grow beneath their shoulders.
Q.When did Brabantio accept Othello as his son-in-law? What was his message of warning to Othello?
Ans. Othello married Desdemona, Brabantio’s daughter, secretly. It made Brabantio infuriated, and he lodged a complaint against Othello in the assembly of the Senators before the Duke. Othello was asked to give an explanation. Othello admitted that he won Desdemona’s heart through his art of telling a short story. Appearing in the assembly Desdemona confirmed the statement of Othello. She acknowledged that she had been dutiful to her father, and now she was more dutiful to Othello, her husband. Being unable to maintain his plea, Brabantio accepted Othello as his son-in-law.
Brabantio’s message of warning to Othello was that Desdemona might deceive him one day as she had deceived her father.
Q. Why did Desdemona go to Cyprus with Othello? Why was the service of Othello not required in Cyprus?
Ans. As a general, Othello’s service was required in the Venetian army to defend Cyprus against the invasion of the Turks. In the meantime, Othello had to face a trial in the assembly of the Duke for marrying Desdemona secretly. After winning the trial, Othello was ready to go to the war in Cyprus. Desdemona wanted to go with Othello because she refused to stay with her father anymore. She boldly declared that she had loved the Moor to live with him.
As soon as Othello and Desdemona landed in Cyprus, the news went around that the Turkish fleet had been dispersed by a violent tempest. Hence, the service of Othello was not required anymore.
Q. Why did Othello use Cassio in his love affair with Desdemona?
ANS. Michel Cassio was a young Florentine soldier and the best friend of Othello. He gained Othello’s confidence. He was amorous, and his pleasing nature always attracted women. He was handsome and eloquent. Othello was a person with a serious temper. Cassio’s free and rattling talk pleased Othello much. Moreover, Othello was free from any kind of jealousy as he was noble in heart. He never suspected anyone of doing a base action. He feared that he lacked the amorous qualities of Cassio that would please ladies. That is why Othello considered Cassio as a fit person to be deputed to Desdemona in his love affair.
Q. How did Cassio do coming under lago’s enticement? What happened after that?
ANS. Iago enticed Cassio to have a drink. Though Cassio knew, drinking wine was a great fault for an officer on guard, he soon fell into the guile of lago. He drank glass after glass.
Having been over-drunk, Cassio totally lost control over him. In the meantime, lago started provoking Cassio. Provoked, Cassio praised Desdemona and got involved in a scuffle. A worthy officer named Montano rushed to the spot to pacify the dispute, but he was wounded Having taken the advantage of the situation, lago spread the alarm causing the castle bell to be rung as if a riot had set in. Othello arrived there instantly. As he was a strict disciplinarian, he discharged Cassio from his post of lieutenant.
Q. How did lago plant the seed of suspicion in Othello's mind?
ANS. Othello regarded lago as a just man, full of love and honesty. In course of events, Othello and Iago entered the room where Cassio had been requesting Desdemona to plead to Othello for his Reinstatement. Having seen them approaching Cassio departed hurriedly. lago did not like Cassio’s departure in that way. He asked Othello if Cassio knew anything about his courtship with Desdemona. After having received a positive answer, Iago behaved so, it seemed there was something secret in it. Othello demanded lago to speak what he knew. lago denied it because it could destroy Othello’s peace of mind. But those hints created suspicion in Othello's mind
Q. What were the arguments shown by Iago that moved Othello much?
ANS. Othello informed lago that his fair wife loved company, and if lago wanted to mean his wife was dishonest, he must give him proof. lago begged him that he did not have any proof. But he did not believe the Italian ladies, and so asked Othello to observe Desdemona’s behaviour in presence of Cassio Iago knew that the Venetian ladies would let the world see their pranks but they dared not show their husbands. He artfully reminded Othello that Desdemona’s father thought it witchcraft when she married him secretly. In this way, Desdemona deceived her father. Hearing those arguments, Othello was much moved.
Q. What did Iago remind Othello and what did he advise Othello?
ANS. When lago saw Othello moved much by his argument, he begged Othello's apology for having done it. He begged to conceal his evil intention. By his cleverness, he behaved in such a way as if Cassio was honest. Now he reminded Othello that probably Desdemona was feeling Sorry for neglecting suitable matches of her own clime and complexion after marrying him. That is why she was unnatural in her behaviour. Probably when her better judgement would return, she would perhaps fall in love with the white-complexioned young Italian. lago, therefore, advised Othello to put off his reconciliation with Cassio a little longer.
Q. When did Othello threaten to kill lago?
ANS. The moment lago started confusing Othello by planting the seed of suspicion in his mind, Othello never tasted peace of mind. The thought of suspicion upset Othello in all his activities. He did not find delight in arms. He seemed to have lost all the pride and ambitions which are the virtues of a soldier. Sometimes he thought Desdemona to be honest. Again he wondered Desdemona was not. At times he thought lago to be just, but at times he thought just the opposite He could neither suspect Desdemona, nor Cassio without any proof. In such a restless condition of mind, Othello threatened to kill lago if he failed to give any proof.
Q. What did Iago say to Othello when his honesty was challenged? How did lago collect his evidence?
ANS. When Othello challenged the honesty of lago, lago asked him if Othello had lately seen the handkerchief with strawberries spotted in his wife Desdemona’s hand. He had seen Cassio wipe his face with it that day.
lago knew very well that the handkerchief spotted with strawberries was Othello’s first gift to Desdemona. He thought if he could manage it anyhow, it would help him to achieve his fidelity to Othello. He did it successfully by sending his wife Emilia to Desdemona. As he was shrewd, he used Emilia to steal the handkerchief from Desdemona and drop it in Cassio’s way. In this way, lago wanted to prove that Desdemona herself presented the handkerchief to Cassio.
Q. Why could not Desdemona give Othello the strawberry spotted handkerchief? What was magical about the handkerchief?
ANS. One day Othello pretended that he had a headache. He wanted a handkerchief from Desdemona to hold it onto his temples. She gave Othello one. But Othello demanded that strawberry spotted handkerchief that he had given her. Desdemona could not give it as it was not in her possession
Othello got the handkerchief from his mother. An Egyptian woman, who was a charmer, gave it to Othello’s mother. That charmer told Othello’s mother it would make her.
