Major- 11
Name :- Mohinani Harshita pavanbhai
Nora becomes increasingly anxious as Krogstad pressures her. She tries to persuade Torvald to let Krogstad keep his job, but he refuses and calls Krogstad morally corrupt. Ironically, Torvald is completely unaware that his wife committed a similar crime.
Year :- T.Y B.A [sem -5]
Main subject :- English
Paper name :- Major 11 [ The study of drama ]
Assignment topic :- topic - 1 class assignment - emoji representation of Othello's characters and MCQ
Topic -2 home assignment - A doll's house by Henrik Ibsen
Topic - 3 essay - A doll's house by Henrik Ibsen
Teacher's name :- aamena ma'am
1. Class assignment
* Emoji representation of Othello by Shakespeare
* PART[1] match the character to the emojies
1. 👧💍🌹🐦 = Desdemona
2.👧🧠🗣 🔑♎ = Emilia
3.👴🕷🧠😪🔪 = lago
4.👦💸😰🔪 = Roderigo
5.👴😠🏠 = Brabantio
6. 👮💔 = Othello
7.👑♎📜 = the duke
* PART[2] who am I ? [emoji riddles]
- read the emoji descriptions and write the character's name
1. i 'm passionate and wrongly blamed for handkerchief i love cassio .
ANS.- Biyanka
2. I 'm an elder from desdemona's family and help uncover the truth
ANS.- Grabantio
3. I' m a nobelman who travels from venice to cyprus with important orders ANS.- Lodovika
4. I'm a former governor of cyprus who got ingured but is respected
ANS.- Montago
* PART[3] short answer
1. why is🔑used to describe Emilia?
A-speaking, pragmatic/cynical, brave/courageous, feminist/ protofeminist , loyal.
2.what emotion does💔suggest about Othello's journey?
A- Othello's journey suggests a tragic decent from confidence to destructive jelousy.
3. What does😪suggests about Lago's personality?
A- Lago's personality is manipulative and cunning driven by jealousy and a desire for control.
PART[4]bonus: express Cassio in emojis
emojis to represent Cassio's character= {🌳🌲🌿}
-🌳[noble character] [youth]🌲[fraglity, capacity to make mistake]
# MCQs on Othello by William Shakespeare
1. What is William Shakespeare often called?
Answer: The Bard of Avon
2. In which year was William Shakespeare born?
Answer: 1564
3. How many sonnets did William Shakespeare write?
Answer: 154
4. What type of play is Othello?
Answer: Tragedy
5. In what language was the original story of Othello written?
Answer: Italian
6. What is the name of the Italian book that inspired Othello?
Answer: De gli Hecatommithi
7.When was the first published version of Othello released?
Answer: 1622
8. Which collection included the second version of Othello?
Answer: The First Folio
9. Which genre does not belong to Shakespeare’s categories of plays?
Answer: Epic
10. Why is William Shakespeare considered highly influential?
Answer: His works are studied, translated, and performed worldwide
11. How many plays did William Shakespeare write (including collaborations)?
Answer: 39
12. What is a “quarto”?
Answer: A small book format
13. In which year was Othello first written?
Answer: 1603–1604
14. Why is Roderigo furious with Iago at the beginning of the play?
Answer: Iago failed to secure Desdemona for him despite being paid
15. Why does Iago claim to hate Othello?
Answer: Othello promoted Cassio over him
16. What action do Iago and Roderigo take to provoke Brabantio?
Answer: Wake him to tell of Desdemona’s elopement
17. How does Othello defend himself against accusations of using witchcraft?
Answer: He recounts tales of his life that won her heart
18. What ultimately convinces the Duke and Senate of Othello’s honesty?
Answer: Desdemona’s own testimony
19. What event eliminates the Turkish threat to Cyprus?
Answer: A severe storm at sea
20. What minor gesture between Cassio and Desdemona does Iago use to manipulate Othello?
Answer: A handshake
21. What advice does Iago give to Roderigo about Cassio during the celebration?
Answer: Start a fight to discredit him
22. How is Cassio demoted?
Answer: He wounds Montano during a drunken fight
23. What advice does Iago give Cassio after his demotio ?
Answer: Ask Desdemona to speak to Othello
24. How does Iago obtain Desdemona’s handkerchief?
Answer: Emilia picks it up and gives it to him
25. What false proof does Iago give Othello of Desdemona's infidelity?
Answer: Cassio wearing Desdemona’s handkerchief
26. What effect does jealousy have on Othello’s physical state?
Answer: He experiences an epileptic seizure
27. Why does Othello strike Desdemona in front of Lodovico?
Answer: Lodovico announces Cassio’s promotion
28. How does Iago use Bianca to reinforce his plot?
Answer: He lets her return the handkerchief Cassio has
29. What lie does Iago tell Desdemona to explain Othello’s rage?
Answer: That Othello is troubled by political matters
30. Why does Roderigo agree to attack Cassio?
Answer: To win Desdemona’s love
31. How does Iago cover his tracks after the attack on Cassio?
Answer: He frames Roderigo and murders him
32. What claim does Desdemona make before dying?
Answer: That she committed suicide
33. What final actions close the play?
Answer: Cassio becomes general, Iago is to be executed, and Lodovico returns to Venice
34. What causes Othello to lose control of his actions?
Answer: Trust in Iago
35. What does Desdemona’s loyalty represent in the play?
Answer: True love and innocence
36.How does Iago manipulate Othello’s military mindset?
Answer: Turns love into a battle
37. How does Iago use the theme of “Appearance vs. Reality”?
Answer: He pretends to be honest
38. What object becomes a symbol of betrayal for Othello?
Answer: Handkerchief
39. Why is Othello’s idea of justice flawed?
Answer: He acts on anger, not truth
40. What does the play teach about judging people by looks?
Answer:- Outer appearance can deceive
41.Who originally gave the handkerchief to Othello’s mother?
Answer: An Egyptian sorcerer
42. How does Iago use the handkerchief in his plan?
Answer: He plants it with Cassio
43. What animal is Othello compared to in the play?
Answer:Horse
44. What does animal language in the play mostly represent?
Answer: Prejudice and racism
45. What does the symbolic use of animals reveal about Iago’s language?
Answer: It shows his use of dehumanizing insults
46. What happens to the meaning of the handkerchief by the end of the play?
Answer: It symbolizes lies and jealousy
47. Why does Iago hate Othello?
Answer: Othello didn’t promote him
48. Who is the "Moor of Venice"?
Answer: Othello
49. What kind of person is Desdemona?
Answer: Kind and loyal
50. What does Iago do throughout the play?
Answer: Tricks people and causes destruction
51. Who is Emilia?
Answer: Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s maid
52. What is Cassio’s main problem in the play?
Answer: He loses his job after a fight
53. What does Roderigo want most?
Answer: To win Desdemona’s love
54. Who is Bianca in the play?
Answer: A prostitute who loves Cassio
55. What is Brabantio’s reaction to Desdemona’s marriage?
Answer: He is angry and shocked
56. What role does Lodovico play at the end of the play?
Answer: He gives Othello’s property to Graziano
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# [3] Othello's play major and minor characters
* MAJOR CHARACTERS:
1.Othello👨
- the protagonist in play.
- identification of Othello is he is brave and noble. represent at loving husband.
-currying and weakness of jealousy
2.Desdemona👩
-Othello's wife in play.
-nature of Desdemona is purity and innocence.
-Desdemona request to her father to marry Othello.
3.Iago👨
-the antagonist and master of play.
-significance is driven by ambition and jealousy.
-represent evil nature.
*MINOR CHARACTERS:
1.Roderigo👨
-A foolish gentleman manipulated by Lago
-he is minor but pivotal character.
2.Brabantio👴
-the role of Desdemona's father in play.
-societal and racial prejudice of the time.
-he disapproval Othello and Desdemona's marriage.
3.Montano👲
- The former governor of Cyprus.
-represent law and order in Cyprus.
-his fight with Cassio contributes to Cassio demotion.
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HOME ASSIGNMENT🏠
# UNIT=3/4 'A Doll's House🪆
[BY- Henrik Ibsen]
★ Introduction
Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House (1879) is a groundbreaking play that revolutionized modern drama and provoked heated debates about gender roles, marriage, and personal freedom. Written in the realist style, the play scrutinizes the limitations imposed on women in a patriarchal society, particularly within the confines of the 19th-century European middle-class household.
At the heart of the play is Nora Helmer, a seemingly happy wife and mother, who gradually realizes that her life is based on illusions. Through her awakening and ultimate decision to break away from societal norms, Ibsen questions the traditional expectations placed on women and exposes the fragility of marriage built on inequality and deception.
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🎭 Characters
1 . Nora Helmer
The protagonist. At first, she appears naïve and submissive, but she is intelligent, strong-willed, and capable of making bold decisions. Her transformation from a "doll" to an independent woman is the heart of the play.
2. Torvald Helmer
Nora’s husband. Patronizing and self-absorbed, he represents the patriarchal values of the time. He believes in societal status and appearances more than emotional intimacy or truth.
3. Kristine Linde
Nora’s old school friend. A widow seeking work, she is practical, honest, and acts as a foil to Nora. Her decision to reunite with Krogstad brings stability, contrasting Nora’s break from domesticity.
4. Nils Krogstad
An employee at the bank and the play’s antagonist. He is morally complex—desperate to restore his reputation and initially blackmails Nora. His redemption through Mrs. Linde shows that change and forgiveness are possible.
5. Dr. Rank
A close family friend suffering from a terminal illness. His unspoken love for Nora and his philosophical views on life add depth to the story.
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★ Plot Overview
A Doll’s House is set in a comfortable Norwegian home during the Christmas holidays. Nora Helmer, the wife of lawyer Torvald Helmer, seems cheerful and frivolous. However, beneath the surface lies a serious secret: years earlier, she illegally borrowed money to save her husband’s life. As the play unfolds, this secret threatens to unravel her marriage and her identity.
The story climaxes when Nora's forgery is exposed, and Torvald reacts with anger and betrayal—not concern. This reaction shocks Nora into the realization that her marriage is a façade. She leaves her husband and children at the end of the play, choosing to discover who she truly is. This final act—known as “the door slam heard around the world”—challenged 19th-century norms and remains one of the most famous endings in theatrical history.
Act-by-Act Summary
Act I
The play opens in the Helmer household, decorated for Christmas. Nora is playful and childlike, having bought gifts and sweets. Her husband, Torvald, calls her affectionate names like “little skylark” and “squirrel,” treating her more like a pet than a partner.
We learn that Torvald has just been promoted to bank manager, and the family’s financial future looks secure. However, Nora has a secret: years ago, she borrowed money from a man named Krogstad to fund a trip that saved Torvald’s life, forging her father’s signature in the process.
When Krogstad’s job at the bank is threatened, he attempts to blackmail Nora to keep his position. The tension begins to build.
*Act II
Meanwhile, Nora’s old friend Mrs. Linde comes to visit. A widow looking for work, she agrees to speak with Krogstad and possibly help resolve the situation. We also meet Dr. Rank, a family friend secretly in love with Nora, who reveals he is dying.
Nora is desperate to prevent Torvald from discovering her secret. She dances frantically at a party to delay him from reading a letter from Krogstad that exposes her.
*Act III
Mrs. Linde meets with Krogstad and rekindles a past relationship,convincing him to retrieve the letter. However, she decides not to interfere with Torvald’s discovery, believing the couple needs honesty.
Torvald reads Krogstad’s letter and explodes in anger, calling Nora unfit to raise their children and insisting their marriage must continue only for appearances. When a second letter arrives—with Krogstad forgiving the debt—Torvald is relieved and wants to restore their life.
But it’s too late. Nora realizes that Torvald only cared about his reputation, not her. She sees that he’s treated her like a doll—controlled, played with, not respected. She makes the shocking decision to leave him and their children to discover her own identity.
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★ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
*play= doll's house🪆
-Henrik Ibsen
* Nora’s Final Decision
Nora’s exit shocked audiences in the 19th century. She:
‡ Leaves behind her marriage, children, and society’s expectations
‡ Chooses to educate herself and understand who she is, outside the roles of wife and mother.
‡ Ibsen claimed he wrote it not as a “feminist” work, but a story about human freedom and responsibility.
★ Themes and Analysis
1. Gender Roles and Patriarchy
Ibsen critiques the limited roles available to women in society. Nora is treated like a child by her husband and denied any real agency. Her eventual rebellion is a call for gender equality and self-respect.
2. Marriage and Power Dynamics
The Helmers’ marriage is revealed to be deeply flawed. It’s based on illusion, control, and dependency. Ibsen exposes how traditional marriages can stifle individual growth.
3. Appearance vs. Reality
Throughout the play, characters maintain facades. Nora hides her debt; Torvald pretends to be morally upright. The play peels back these layers to reveal deeper truths.
4. Self-Realization and Identity
Nora’s journey is one of awakening. She realizes she must define herself outside of being a wife and mother. This theme resonates with modern discussions about autonomy and self-worth.
5. Morality and Law
Ibsen contrasts legal justice with moral justice. While Nora’s act of forgery is illegal, it was done out of love and necessity. The play questions whether laws always reflect what is right.
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★ Symbolism
‡ The Doll’s House – Symbolizes Nora’s life: pretty, controlled, and artificial.
‡ The Tarantella Dance – Reflects Nora’s desperation and emotional turmoil.
‡ Macaroons – Represent Nora’s small acts of rebellion against Torvald’s control.
‡ The Letterbox – A symbol of truth, revelation, and loss of innocence.
★ Structure & Style
Three-Act Structure
• Classical unity of time, place, and
action—everything unfolds in one setting (the Helmer household).
• Builds tension gradually, culminating in Nora’s decision.
* Realism
• Ibsen rejects melodrama and exaggeration.
• Everyday dialogue, domestic setting, and psychological depth make the characters relatable.
• The play highlights social issues through ordinary people rather than kings or heroes.
Conclusion
The conclusion of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is one of the most powerful and controversial endings in modern theatre. It marks a radical shift in the character of Nora Helmer, and challenges the traditional structures of marriage, gender roles, and societal expectations. A Doll’s House transforms it from a domestic drama into a profound critique of social and gender norms. Nora’s decision to walk away is not an act of cruelty or selfishness, but one of courage, self-respect, and truth. It challenges the audience to rethink the nature of marriage, love, and personal identity—and it helped shape modern drama and feminist thought for generations to come.
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