Sophomore Honors English Othello Act I-V Review

Vocabulary and key concept flashcards for reviewing William Shakespeare's Othello, covering major plot points, character motivations, and iconic metaphors across all five acts.

Othello (1604)

The Shakespearean tragedy set in Venice and Cyprus, tracking the downfall of a Moorish general through the machinations of Iago.

Iago's Motivation in Act I

The character establishes his hatred for Othello by revealing his resentment over being passed over for promotion in favor of Michael Cassio.

Othello's Courtship of Desdemona

Othello explains to the Duke and Senators that Desdemona fell in love with him because of the stories of his adventures and the dangers he had passed.

Desdemona's Divided Duty

Her response to the Duke regarding authority, where she acknowledges a duty to her father but a higher duty to her husband, Othello.

Iago's Act I Soliloquy

The overarching plan revealed at the end of the first act to manipulate Roderigo for money while framing Cassio for an affair with Desdemona.

Cyprus

The setting for the events of Act II, representing a move from the order of Venice to a military outpost exposed to external and internal conflict.

The Storm / War Resolution

The major event that interrupts Othello and Desdemona's reunion in Cyprus, though it also results in the destruction of the Turkish fleet.

Cassio’s Dismissal

Iago tricks Cassio into drinking and engaging in a brawl, leading Othello to strip Cassio of his military rank as lieutenant.

The Handkerchief

A token Othello gives to Desdemona that Iago manipulates to fuel jealousy; it has a history involving an Egyptian charmer and Othello's mother.

Green-eyed monster

The famous metaphor Iago uses in Act III, Scene 3 to describe the destructive emotion of jealousy which 'doth mock the meat it feeds on'.

The Temptation Scene

Act III, Scene 3, where Iago first sparks Othello's suspicion by drawing attention to Cassio's sudden departure from Desdemona.

Emilia’s Motivation

She gives the dropped handkerchief to Iago primarily to please her husband and satisfy his constant requests for it.

Othello's Vow of Revenge

Following the 'temptation scene,' the result for Iago is his formal appointment as Othello's new lieutenant.

Lodovico

A messenger from Venice who arrives in Act IV bearing a letter that commands Othello to return home and leaves Cassio in charge of Cyprus.

The Willow Song

A sequence where Desdemona and Emilia discuss marital infidelity, contrasting Desdemona’s absolute virtue with Emilia’s more pragmatic views.

Roderigo’s Death

The outcome of Act 5, Scene 1 where Iago inflicts the fatal wound on Roderigo after the failed attempt to kill Cassio.

Desdemona’s Final Claim

Before dying, she tells Emilia that she herself is responsible for her death, attempting to protect Othello even in her last moments.

Emilia’s Revelation

During the final scene, she fully realizes Iago's orchestration of the tragedy when she hears about the handkerchief and the lies about Desdemona's infidelity.

Iago's Final Vow

When Othello demands to know why he engineered the lies, Iago responds by saying he will never speak another word.

Othello’s Final Action

After a speech about his service to the state, Othello commits suicide to join Desdemona in death.