Exploring Act 1, Scene 1 of ‘Othello’ | English | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

In the play 'Othello', what do we know about Othello and Desdemona?
- they have secretly married ✓
- they have publicly married
- they are courting
Why does Iago dislike Othello at the beginning of the play 'Othello'?
- Iago was courting Desdemona before Othello married her
- Othello passed Iago over for a promotion ✓
- Othello killed Iago's brother
What is a key theme in Shakespeare's tragedies?
- love
- ambition
- disorder ✓
What is a convention of the tragic hero?
- they start off with high status and then experience a downfall ✓
- they start with low status but grow in esteem
- their fate stays stable throughout the play
In Shakespeare's 'Othello', which character plays the biggest role in Othello's downfall and why?
- Cassio for having an affair with Desdemona
- Desdemona for being unfaithful to Othello
- Iago for manipulating Othello into believing his wife was unfaithful ✓
In the play 'Othello', what is arguably Othello's hamartia from the list below?
- ambition
- prejudice
- superiority
- lust
- jealousy ✓

Where does Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Othello' fall in the five-act structure?
- rising action
- exposition ✓
- falling action
In Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Othello', what does Iago say he will do?
- pretend to be loyal to Othello but deep down have his own best interest at heart ✓
- kill Othello
- steal Desdemona from Othello
How does Iago stir up disorder in Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Othello'?
- he encourages Roderigo to flirt with Desdemona
- he tells Brabantio that Desdemona has eloped with Othello ✓
- he hatches a plan with Roderigo to break into Othello's house
What does Iago say in Act 1 Scene 1 of 'Othello' that could make the audience consider him as 'diabolical'?
- ''Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago''
- ''Call up her father, Rouse him: make after him, poison his delight''
- ''I am not what I am'' ✓
''Tis the curse of service. Preferment goes by letter and affection''. What does this quote show about Iago in Shakespeare's 'Othello'?
- He is bitter about being passed over for a promotion ✓
- He loves Desdemona
- He is a bigot
In the play 'Othello', Iago's comments to Brabantio about Desdemona and Othello, reveal Iago's ...
- jealousy about Desdemona being with another man.
- prejudice against Othello because of his race. ✓
- hatred for Brabantio having let Desdemona do whatever she wants.

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Iago is an agent of disorder - his motive is less important than the impact of his actions on the tragic hero.
Iago might be described as a malcontent.
Iago's diabolical nature is established in the line "I am not what I am", reflecting reversal and disorder.
Iago causes disorder in the mind of Brabantio, by revealing his daughter's deceit.

Shakespearean tragic heroes are often nobility who command respect from all before their fall.

Othello, the tragic hero, is not respected by Iago and Roderigo because of his race.

Elope - Run away secretly to get married.
Malcontent - A person who is dissatisfied and complaining.
Visage - A visage is a person’s face or an image of something.
Bigot - A bigot is someone prejudiced and/or antagonistic against a particular group.
Diabolical - Suggestive of the devil.