Othello Characters Quiz
Othello by William Shakespeare · 10 multiple-choice questions with answers · about 8 min
Test your knowledge of Othello with 10 characters questions with answers and explanations — motives, relationships and how characters change. Ideal for revision once you have read the whole play.
Motives, relationships and how characters change. Drawn from the whole play — contains spoilers.
Skills tested: Character · Difficulty: Standard, Challenge
Othello Characters questions
The answers and an explanation for each question appear as you play, and on the answer-key page of the printout.
- How does Othello respond when Brabantio's armed men come to seize him?
Calmly, telling them to sheathe their swords · With fury, drawing his sword first · By fleeing to the ship at once · By begging Iago to defend him
- What does Cassio lament most after his disgrace?
The loss of his reputation · The loss of his wages · The anger of his family · The injury to Montano
- Why do so many characters call Iago 'honest'?
He has never told a lie before · He confesses all to Othello · He plays the blunt soldier so well · He is a priest by training
- Othello grips Iago and demands 'ocular proof'. What does this show about him at this point?
He has already resolved to kill Cassio · He suspects Iago of plotting against him · He no longer cares what the truth is · He still wants evidence before he believes
- What story does Othello tell Desdemona about the handkerchief?
His father won it in battle with the Turks · Desdemona's mother sewed it for him · An Egyptian charmer gave it to his mother · It was a gift from the Duke of Venice
- How does Emilia react to Othello's treatment of Desdemona?
She agrees Desdemona must be guilty · She keeps silent out of fear · She insists some villain has slandered her · She blames Cassio for everything
- How does Othello ask to be remembered?
As a soldier who served Venice best · As one that loved not wisely but too well · As a husband wronged by his wife · As a stranger the city never accepted
- Who is Roderigo?
Desdemona's cousin from Venice · A foolish suitor Iago uses and robs · Othello's ensign before Iago · Cassio's loyal servant
- Which character speaks most directly to the audience in soliloquy?
Iago · Othello · Desdemona · Cassio
- How does Desdemona stay true to Othello even as he turns on her?
She plans to return to her father · She confesses to love Cassio · She refuses to blame him, even when dying · She asks Lodovico to arrest him
More Othello practice: all Othello quizzes · characters quiz · language & structure quiz · plot recall quiz · read Othello free
Original questions written for Pagine. Quotations are from the public-domain text.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Othello Characters quiz free?
Yes. All 10 questions are free with answers and explanations. Play online with instant feedback, or print it as a test with an answer key — no sign-up needed.
What does the Othello Characters quiz cover?
10 characters questions drawn from every part of Othello. Motives, relationships and how characters change. It tests character at standard, challenge level.
Does it contain spoilers?
Yes — it draws on the whole play, including the ending.
Can I use it with a class?
Yes. Print it with the answer key for a reading check, homework or revision lesson, or share the link so students can take it online.
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