Faqs Q1). What role does Rodrigo play in Othello? Ans: Roderigo is a wealthy Venetian gentleman who pays Iago to keep him informed of Desdemona's activities since he hopes to marry her one day. Q2). What is the effect of the atmosphere in the play Othello? Ans: Some of the most important scenes in Othello occur at night. This night-time setting adds to the feel of Venice as somewhere claustrophobic, uncomfortable, and really quite unpleasant. And that darkness is carried across into Cyprus, in attitude, if not in setting. Shakespeare emphasises the racism apparent in the Venetian society by this clever literary ruse, whereby the darkness of white Iago mingles with the darkness of the night. Q3). What is the Willow Song and what is its significance? Ans: The Willow Song is an old song, existing in many versions before Shakespeare incorporated it into his play. In Othello, Desdemona sings the Willow Song, and, in this indirect way, she faces the real possibility that Othello is going mad and will desert her and that she may die of a broken heart, like her mother s maid. Willow, also known as weeping willow, is associated in Shakespeare s plays with lost love. The Willow Song goes thus: A poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree, Sing all the green willow, Her hand on her bosom, her head on her knee, The fresh streams ran by her and murmur'd her moans, Her salt tears ran from her and soften'd the stones, Sing all a green willow must be in my garland,
The fresh streams ran by her and murmur'd her moans, Her salt tears ran from her and soften'd the stones, Sing all a green willow must be in my garland, Q4). What genre is Othello? Ans: Othello is a tragedy, and along with Hamlet, Macbeth and King Lear, considered among the four "great" tragedies of Shakespeare. Q5). What is the significance of Desdemona s mother s maid s name, Barbary? Ans: The name Barbary means foreigner. Desdemona married a foreigner, whom some called a barbarian, that is, an uncivilized foreigner. Iago described the marriage between Desdemona and Othello as one between an erring barbarian and a super-subtle Venetian (Act I, Scene III), an opinion many Venetians would have held and that Desdemona would have been well aware of. Also, Barbary and Desdemona have a connection not just in terms of their love for strangers, but also their sorrow, as the Willow Song indicates. Q6. How does the metaphor of man-woman relationship described by Emilia reflect on the theme of gender discussed in this play? Ans: Emilia has shown to discuss a powerful imagery which not only describes the man-woman relationship in the play but also extends to the theory of gender and role of men and women in society. The metaphor of man being a hungry animal and woman being his food shows that men desire women only to gratify their sexual urge or to fulfill the duties of society. She is not given the respect which a human being deserves and is shrugged off when the need is satisfied. The imagery powerfully captures the status of men in society and how the patriarchal governance has reduced women to sexual objects. It also defines the indefinite crimes against women.
Q7. Why is women s tears sign of deception and cheating? Ans: Women are perceived as objects who are devoid of emotions like love and loyalty. They can never be true to anyone. Hence if they are seen shedding tears it can never be real. Q8. How does Desdemona realize her role in Othello s life? Ans: When Desdemona s every attempt to prove her love to Othello and convince him that she has been ever loyal goes futile, she realizes that she has no voice in a man s society and whatever man says is the only truth and only reality. As Othello creates a world of his illusions, Desdemona s true tears, her love and all her attempts also become illusory for him. Desdemona herself becomes unreal to him. Q9. Why does Desdemona feel that her life is doomed? Ans: Desdemona is shown as very kind, innocent woman who has dedicated her life wholly to her love and Othello. Othello becomes everything for her but the man whom she worshipped without any biases loses faith in her and her love and everything she does looks lies. Therefore she feels that her life is doomed. Q10. How does Othello and Desdemona s relationship change when placed against the female bonding between Desdemona and Emilia? Ans: The love between Othello and Desdemona diminishes into a man-woman, an animal-food relationship when discussed in the context of two women discussing a man. The play focuses on how relationships change and assumes a different nature against the backdrop of larger issues. Q11. What shows that Desdemona is an innocent girl? Ans: Desdemona cannot believe that any woman who loves her husband can ever be disloyal to their husband. She feels that how can a woman in love, who has submitted herself to her husband ever be disloyal. Her expression of disbelief on Emilia s revelation about the fact that even women can be dishonest shows that Desdemona is a truly innocent love and has never had a thought of any other man other than Othello.
Q12. According to Emilia how should women make their men realize that they are not object but living beings with emotions? Ans: Women silently endure men when they seek pleasure or unleash their anger and abuse on them which makes men even stronger and confident about their role as husbands and men who can exercise their authoritarian rule on women. Emilia believes that the only way to jerk them out of their stupor is to take revenge. Q13. Which instances discussed in the play address the theme of revenge at various levels and also shed light on important issues of power, gender and race? Ans: The theme of revenge is exploited at various levels in Othello. Iago wants revenge for injustice to done to him and he decides to destroy Othello and Cassio. Emilia desires revenge for Desdemona for her love has paid only distrust and abuse at the hands of Othello. Othello s constant struggle to prove his just and honest nature is also a form of revenge against the white society which for years has held blacks under their oppressive rule. Q14.How do the marginalized characters in Shakespeare voice their oppression and why is it considered important? Ans: Caliban in Tempest is a secluded character who expresses his anger of becoming a slave in his own country. Shylock, the Jew voices how anything wrong done by Christians is forgiven and Jews are always slandered for whatever actions they perform. Emilia voices the profound sentiments of a woman who is battered by her husband s bestial nature in every form and uncovers the stark reality of man-woman relationship. Therefore the marginalized are brought to the fore to create awareness and anguish among the readers or the audience and bring them closer not only to themselves but their socio-political identity in the given context. This awareness is brought about in the hope that society may become ever of larger issues that hound and attempt to desecrate their lives.
Q15. Why does Othello s jealousy drive him to kill Desdemona? Ans: The green-eyed monster jealousy discussed in the play is the demon hidden inside Othello which attempts to slay him. Since Othello becomes so weak and blind to his wife s loyalty and love that the monster slays his goodness as Desdemona is murdered at the hands of her own love. The powerful play of evil winning over goodness is depicted threw jealousy killing innocence. At the stage, Othello himself assumes the form of the green-eyed monster.