Othello - Reading Log Melissa Thomas

Directions: Please complete the following as directed in class. Prompts for “Think & Writes” and “Appendixes” will be given in class.
If you are absent for a day, you will be expected to find and complete the prompts on the daily agendas posted in Schoology.

PRE-READING
THE 6 METHODS OF CHARACTERIZATION (“B-SPPAT”)
1. Behavior: actions, decisions that are put into actions
2. Speech: what they say and how they say it
3. Perception of other characters: The way other characters speak about or behave toward the character.
4. Character’s Self-Perception: the way the character sees themselves
5. Appearance: Clothing, physical attributes, what physicality is presented to the world.
6. Thoughts and feelings; motivations, how character thinks and feels

Act I
THINK & WRITES “...then speak of one that loved not wisely, but too well…” The attitude about love from this author
is that he thinks that when someone loves too much, it is better than if they passionately love. I disagree because when
people love too much it can almost come off as fake and not real love.

STUDY QUESTIONS
1. What is Iago’s complaint to Roderigo in Scene I?
Othello passed him over for lieutenancy, which Iago wanted.
2. Who is Brabantio, and why do Iago and Roderigo awaken him in the middle of the night?
Brabantio is Desdemona’s father and they awakened him to tell him that Desdemona is getting married to Moor.
3. Why does Iago leave Roderigo at Brabantio’s House?
Because he’s ‘friends’ with the Moor and doesn’t want to be seen at Brabantio’s house.
4. What is Brabantio’s reaction to Othello’s marriage to Desdemona?
He is upset and wishes that Roderigo would have married his daughter instead of the Moor. It shows us that he’s
rather have a stalker as a son-in law instead of a Moor.
 5. Why does the Duke send for Othello?
The duke wants to send Othello to Cyprus to fight.
6. Brabantio complains to the Duke about Othello’s marriage to Desdemona. After listening to both sides of the story,
what is the Duke’s reply?
The Duke understands why Desdemona fell in love with Othello, because he’s a storyteller and won her love with
stories.
7. What is Roderigo’s complaint, and what is Iago’s reply to it?
Roderigo was depressed and told Iago that he wanted to kill himself because he had no hope in winning
Desdemona. Iago tells him to have reason and “man up” and to follow Othello to win Desdemona.

EPITHETS
Reference to Who is speaking? What does this What does the reference
Othello Line # epithet suggest suggest about the speaker
about Othello? of the epithet?
● “Old black ● Iago (1.1.97) He is perceived as a
ram…“Is big and dangerous
animal that is trying to Iago is unloyal toward Othello
tupping your
get with a younger because he is calling him
white ewe…” girl, who is the ewe names and he isn’t actually his
(female sheep). friend. In these two quotes, Iago
wants Brabantio to get worked
● “The devil ● Iago (1.1.100) Iago calls Othello a up over the fact that Othello
will make a devil and states that if and Desdemona are in love.
Othello and Iago does this by using word
grandsire of
Desdemona have like “devil” and “ram” to
you” kids, Brabantio will be describe Othello.
a grandfather.
 Othello is seen as an
● Against your ● Iago (1.2.10) honorable figure. Even though Iago doesn’t like
Since Iago knows that Othello, he says that he
honor”
Othello trusts him, he respects him which shows how
wants to be on his two-faced he is. Othello is both
good side so that “feared and revered.” I wonder
Othello doesn’t if Othello will find out about
suspect anything Iago’s fakeness.
about his plan.

Othello is being called The senator is on Othello’s side

● “Valiant ● First senator brave by the first and may look up to him.
moor” (1.3.55) senator revealing that
he is respected by
many.

ACT I Setting 3 Main Events Important Quote & Critical Analysis Method of
Speaker Characterization
Scene i Brabantio’s house Roderigo tells “I am not what I He appears to be Character’s self-
in Venice Brabantio that his am” Iago (1.1.17) friends with perception
daughter is Othello but he is
marrying a Moor. really with the
mob and
Roderigo.

Scene ii Sagittary Othello tells the “Not i. I must be Othello is laid Character’s self-
mob to hold their found. My parts, back and isn’t perception
hand and they my title, and my looking for a fight.
listen to him, he perfect soul shall He wants to
doesn’t fight manifest me resolve the
them. rightly. Is it they?” problem by talking
Othello (1.2.35) it out.

Scene iii Sagittary In this scene we ¨A man he is of Othello trusts Iago Perception of
meet Desdemona. honesty and trust. so much that he is others
She confirms that To his ordering him to
she is in love with conveyance I watch her while he
Othello. She assign my wife.¨ goes to war. To
states that she Othello (1.3.323) Othello, Iago is
want to go to war the most
with Othello. trustworthy
person

APPENDIX
Othello: Moor and general of the army
Iago: Third in command, close with Othello Emilia: Iago’s wife
Roderigo: In love with Desdemona, friend’s with Iago Brabantio: Desdemona’s father
Big idea about a character: Will Othello finally realize that Iago is not his friend?
A wonder: If Desdemona does go with Othello, I wonder if Desdemona is going to regret it, and if she goes back with her
father.
APPENDIX 2
“I hate the Moor” (pg 55 Act 1 sc.3) speech translation
I’m going to use Roderigo, who is a fool, to make me money 426
I’m going to misuse him for my own knowledge 427
If I’m going to waste time with this fool, 428
I might as well do it for my own interest and money. I hate Othello, 429
Everybody knows, that between my sheet, 430
He took my place. I don’t know if it’s true, 431
Even though I have a sense of suspicion, 432
I will act as if I’m sure of it. He thinks highly of me. 433
Therefore the easier it will be to manipulate him. 434
Cassio’s a good man. So this is how I am going to use him: 435
I’m going to get his spot as first lieutenant, to increase my net worth 436
In an act of being deceitful to two people, How shall I do this? 437

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Act II
THINK & WRITES
The Value of reputation
“Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains behind is
bestial (2.3.280)!” Cassio
“Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft without merit and lost without deserving” (2.3.287). Iago
I agree mostly with Iago because In terms of Cassio’s situation, his reputation is also a title but I think that a tile
that one holds isn’t everything in life. A reputation isn’t always going to stay, it might change or when on
passes away it doesn’t go with them. If our reputation is bad, we can challenge that ideal and change that
misconception that people may have of us. When Iago says that it is a false misconception I agree because a
reputation can be based off of how other people perceive you but that shouldn’t always matter.

STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Why did Iago want Roderigo to anger Cassio?
He tells Roderigo to pick a fight with Cassio to make him look bad so that Othello can be mad at him and take the
lieutenancy away.
 2. What was the purpose of Iago’s plan?
Iago plans to take Cassio’s position by making Othello jealous of Cassio who “likes” Desdemona, this also work for
his advantage for his revenge against Othello who he claims slept with his wife.
3. Why did Iago want Cassio to drink more?
To start a brawl with Roderigo.
4. What lie did Iago tell Montano about Cassio?
Iago told Montano that Cassio was an alcoholic and that he drinks every night.
5. Why did Othello Strip Cassio of his rank?
Cassio and Roderigo got into a fight while being intoxicated.
6. Why did Iago want Cassio to ask Desdemona for help in restoring Othello’s faith in Cassio?
To imply that Desdemona is being unfaithful to Othello and is having an affair with Cassio.
7. ASK YOUR OWN HIGHER LEVEL INTERPRETIVE QUESTION

ACT II Setting 3 Main Events Important Quote & Critical Analysis Method of
Speaker Characterization

Scene i Cyprus -The way that “The riches of the Since Desdemona Perception of
(Desdemona gets Cassio greets ship is come on is married to others
there first, and Desdemona was shore!” Othello, she is
arrives with important to Iago “Hail to thee, lady, seen as a goddess
Cassio) because it was and the grace of and she is highly
going along with heaven” (2.1.90) respected. She is
his plan of higher class
-The conversation and is caring
when Iago tells because she
Roderigo that defended Emilia
Desdemona loves from the men. The
Cassio. men view
Desdemona as the
“captain’s
captain.” Meaning
that they view her
as having a higher
status than
 Othello.

Scene ii Cyprus Herald states that “Our noble and From the Perception of
there is going to valiant general” viewpoint of others
be a party to Herald (2.2.1) others, Othello is
commemorate brave and honest.
Othello and all The people of
he’s done. Cyprus trust him
and he needs to
keep this title to
stay being
trustworthy.

Scene iii A building in Iago’s plan of “I had rather have Iago doesn’t want Speech
Cyprus getting Cassio this tongue cut to accuse Cassio
drunk goes from my mouth of starting the
through. Cassio that it should do fight even though
injures the mayor, offense to Michael that was part of
Montano and Cassio” Iago his plan. He wants
Othello tells Iago (2.3.236) to show loyalty in
that he is going to front of Cassio
drop him. Image is and Othello to
everything to play it cool. By
Cassio because showing his
he is self- loyalty in front of
conscious. Othello, it give
Iago a chance to
be lieutenant.

APPENDIX
Foil
Roderigo Iago
Emotional - Cold-hearted/logical
Desdemona - Self-Centered
“Love struck” - “Hate struck”
Flaws developing in this act:
-Roderigo’s impatience
-Particularly in this scene, Othello’s trust in Iago “Iago is most honest”(2.3.7)
Analysis from Class:
Video clip notes(Actor’s insight):
-Iago knows Othello’s weakness so he uses it to his advantage for his revenge.
-He was not born into wealth
-Iago and Othello have been through so much together
-Othello is not aware of his own flaws
-He came from nothing and since he married Desdemona he will get status
-Othello is very concerned with appearance
Director’s insight:
-army is central to the play
-No conflict when they got to Cyprus
-Military life is based on honor and trust which is why Iago gets away with his plan
-Emilia will be a soldier

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Act III
THINK & WRITES

STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Why doesn’t Iago simply tell Othello right away that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair?
2. What thing does Emilia find and give to Iago? What does Iago intend to do with it?
 Emilia finds Desdemona’s handkerchief that Othello gave her. Iago plans use it as proof that Cassio and Desdemona
were having an affair.
3. What is Iago’s reply when Othello demands “ocular proof” of his wife’s disloyalty?
Iago states that he heard Cassio talking about Desdemona in his sleep.
4. What does Othello decide and command at the end of Scene iii?
To kill Cassio and Desdemona.
5. What is Emilia’s relationship with Iago? Desdemona? Support your response.
Emilia is Iago’s wife but he treats her badly by calling her names. She is Desdemona’s maid and in a way a motherly
figure because she older and gives her advice.
6. Who has the handkerchief at the end of Act III? Why?
Bianca because Cassio wanted a copy of the design.

ACT III Setting 3 Main Events Important Quote & Critical Analysis Method of
Speaker Characterization

Scene i Cassio arrives at -The clown makes “Masters, play her Cassio is trying to Behavior /
the citadel with fun of Cassio and (I will content your win Othello’s trust Thoughts and
musicians to the musicians pains) Something again after the feelings
celebrate that’s brief; and fight happened.
Desdemona and bid ‘Good morrow, He brings
Othello. general’” Cassio musicians to him
(3.1.1) and Desdemona
to win his loyalty.
The clown tells
Cassio to stop
with the music
because it doesn’t
sound good.

Scene ii The Citadel Othello gives Iago N/A Tells us about the Behavior
letters to mail relationship
between Othello
and Iago
Scene iii The Citadel -Emilia picks up “I should be wise; Iago playing the Thoughts and
the handkerchief for honesty’s a victim and telling feelings / speech
to give it to Iago fool And loses Othello that him
who then plans to that it works for.” telling the truth is
drop it at Cassio’s Iago (3.3.436) going to kill him.
house. Emilia
reveals that Iago “In sleep I heard Iago is lying and
has asked her to him say ‘Sweet is stating that
steal it many Desdemona, let us Cassio was
times before. be wary, let us talking about
-Othello gets mad hide our loves.” Desdemona in his
at Igo for giving Iago (3.3.475) sleep. This lie is
him false thoughts different because
about Desdemona it is straight up
without evidence. instead of an
-Othello gives alteration of the
Iago the truth.
lieutenancy
because Iago gave “Arise, black He is summoning
himself up for vengeance, from the devil, which is
him. the hollow hell!” him. He is
Othello (3.3.507). showing the side
of him that we’ve
never seen and he
is taking on the
role of a
stereotypical
moor.

Scene iv The citadel -Desdemona asks “ They are not Emilia states to Perception of
the clown if he ever jealous for Desdemona that others
can send Cassio the cause, but men are jealous
to come see her. jealous for they’re because its within
- Othello holds jealous. It is a them and there’s
Desdemona’s monster Begot nothing that can
hand and notices upon itself, born really change
 that it is moist on itself.” Emilia them from being
meaning she was (3.4.180) that way.
lascivious.
-Othello gets mad
when Desdemona
mentions that he
promised to meet
with Cassio

APPENDIX #1: Tracing the Handkerchief / Characters’ Motives

Desdemona dropped the handkerchief and Emilia picked it up to gave it to Iago. Iago shows the handkerchief to Othello
and tells him he found it at Cassio’s house. Iago places it in Cassio’s lodging. Cassio finds it and gives the handkerchief
to Bianca to copy the embroidery.
APPENDIX #2: Character Foils & Flaws
Two very different views of a relationship- Desdemona still sees Emilia as a friend whereas Emilia sees the relationship
going downhill because Emilia mentions that Othello is jealous (which is what Iago said). Also, Emilia lied to Desdemona
and told her that she didn’t know where the handkerchief was.
APPENDIX #3: Emilia - Insight and Understanding
“They are all but stomachs, and we are all but food…” Emilia states that men only use women, this shows her view of
men at this time.
APPENDIX #4: Response to Essential Questions - #1 and #2
Which character do I identify with the most?
The character that I identify with the most would be Desdemona. I tend to overlook the negative in people like how
Desdemona overlooked the fact that Othello is jealous. Emilia states, “ Is he not jealous?” and Desdemona says “Who,
he? I think the sun where he was born Drew all such humors from him” (3.4.30). Desdemona doesn’t believe that Othello
is jealous even though is was clear that he was during the argument. Desdemona doesn’t have a straightforward reason
to think that Othello might be jealous. This relates to me because I tend to excuse any negative behavior that people
might show towards me. Unless it’s something disrespectful and that can’t be excusable. Part of this excuse is when
Desdemona says, “Either from Venice, or some unhatched practice made demonstrable her i Cyprus to him.”

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ACT V
THINK & WRITES

STUDY QUESTIONS
1. How would Iago benefit from Roderigo’s death? Cassio’s?
As a result of Roderigo’s death, Iago wouldn’t have to admit that he stole the jewels that were supposed to be given
to Desdemona. If Cassio dies, nobody would find out about Iago’s lies.
2. Does Iago have anything to gain from Desdemona’s death? Why does he want her dead?
3. What happens when Cassio and Roderigo fight?
Roderigo hurt Cassio and Iago wounded Roderigo in the leg from behind.
4. WHat does Iago do after he wounds Cassio?
He left but came back to help and he killed Roderigo because he was one of the attackers that Cassio identified.
5. How was Desdemona faithful to Othello in the end?
Desdemona states to Emilia that she killed herself even though Othello did.
6. What was Emilia’s reaction when Othello told her that Iago had revealed Desdemona’s affair with Cassio?
She was mad and shocked because she didn’t think that her husband would ever make up an awful lie that would
result in death.
7. Which characters tell the truth about Iago in the end?
Even though Roderigo was dead, letters in his pocket revealed his intentions.
8. What happens to Othello, Iago and Cassio in the end?
Othello killed himself with a sword, Iago was sent to be tortured, and Cassio became the governor.
ACT V Setting 3 Main Events Important Quote & Critical Analysis Method of
Speaker Characterization

Scene i Streets of cyprus -Roderigo attacks “O fie upon thee, Emilia calls Perception of
Cassio who then strumpet.” Emilia Bianca a strumpet others
gets stabbed by (5.1.142) (prostitute) which
Iago. reveals that Emilia
is a foil of
Desdemona
because
Desdemona would
never call a
woman that, but
instead she would
protect the woman
that was being
called a prostitute.

Scene ii The citadel -othello thinks “Then must you Othello doesn’t Speech /
that Cassio is speak of one that want people to characters self-
dead loved not wisely, talk about him perception
-He kills but too well. Of badly, but instead
desdemona and one not easily he states that his
then stabs himself jealous, but being actions were a
wrought...” result of him
Othello (5.2.404) being manipulated
by Iago.
“I took by th’ The circumcised
throat by the dog that Othello
circumcised dog, mentions refers to
and smote him the Turks who are
thus” Othello the venetians
(5.2.416) enemies and
Othello is
comparing himself
 to both of them.

APPENDIX #1: Prediction- What is going to happen to your character in this act?
I think that Desdemona is going to get killed by Othello, Iago won’t get caught because if he kills Roderigo his secret
won’t be out, and I think that Emilia will get killed by either Iago or Othello.
APPENDIX #2: Character Foils
Emilia and Desdemona are both foils because Emilia is older and seems more experienced when she talks about men in
general. Desdemona wonders if women actually cheat on their husbands and Emilia reassures her. Emilia is wise
whereas Desdemona is naive.
APPENDIX #3: Character Flaws
Iago is so power hungry that he keeps on wanting more even though he already has the lieutenancy. He’s got what he
wanted but he won’t stop there. Othello’s tragic flaw is jealousy because he believes that Desdemona is having an affair
with Cassio which took a toll on him.
APPENDIX #4: Othello’s last monologue - summary and cultural analysis
In the first part of the monologue, Othello is recognizing his flaws and admits to being ‘perplexed’ by Iago which
eventually led him to kill his wife. He says that he doesn’t want to be recognized as a bad person because it was the
manipulation by Iago that made him act the way he did. In the second part he states that he is like the Turks who are the
enemy of Venice. Before he kills himself, he says that smote a circumcised dog (who is himself) because he is trying to
kill his inner beast to let the other side of him thrive.