OthelloAct 5, Scenes 1-2

Iago’s Grand FinaleIago, the master puppeteer, has planned well: Roderigo should

kill Cassio and hopefully, gets killed himself

Iago is also a master of the moment, stabbing Cassio in the leg and then reappearing in his nightshirt, killing Roderigo when Cassio points to him as his attacker

Othello’s Grand FinaleOthello sees himself as a dispenser of justice who must

administer a loathsome punishment on his once beloved wife

He does not seek total revenge

Desdemona commits her last innocent error in weeping for Cassio’s supposed death

Emilia’s Great Moment of TruthAll the pieces of the puzzle fall into place: her part in the

handkerchief incident, Iago’s deception, and Desdemona’s absolute innocence

Iago shows his final absolute non-regard of her by stabbing her for coming out with the truth

The Final OutcomeOthello cannot kill Iago, now has nothing in his life left but to

kill himself; he envisions his soul being swept to Hell

Iago is completely unmasked: Lodovico and Gratiano see Othello as rash and unfortunate but Iago as a viper

Letters found with Roderigo provide the last clarification

After Iago receives his lawful punishment, Gratiano is recognized as the rightful heir of Othello’s estate

Discussion QuestionsOf all the victims of this act, who least deserved to die?

The Venetia envoy, Lodovico pronounces sentence against Iago that he will suffer the worst tortures the law has to impose. Since Cassio is now governor of Cyprus, what torture do you think he will make Iago suffer?

So what?

“ We teach such works because they crystallize for us the problems of love and death, passion and betrayal, jealousy and nostalgia, power and temporality, memory and imagination…

what is our alternative? If we don’t teach our students Shakespeare, how will they come to know what they already

understand?”

ThemesHuman Dignity

Jealousy, Revenge, and Love

Good vs. Evil, Man vs. Woman, Alien vs. Native

Attitudes to war, love, marriage, money

Othello - Character Othello is the central figure of this tragedy viewed through many mirrors

Desdemona’s is one of love, ignoring the cause of his change Iago’s is clouded by prejudice and hatred, also of Desdemona, whose pure love he

cannot believe is genuine Cassio’s reflects Othello as an admired, respected commander and friend The Venetian Senate’s mirrors nothing but respect and high regard; even Lodovico

sees him as a most unfortunate man Emilia’s sees a noble general at first, a “cruel Moor” in the endOthello – a tragic hero?

Classic Tragic Hero Usually of noble birth, a king, a leader of men Hamartia - a.k.a. the tragic flaw that eventually leads to his downfall. His downfall is usually due to excessive pride (hubris) Peripeteia - a reversal of fortune brought about by the hero's tragic flaw He is doomed from the start; he bears no responsibility for possessing his flaw,

but bears responsibility for his actions. His actions result in an increase of self- awareness and self-knowledge (catharsis) He has discovered fate by his own actions, and not by things happening to him The suffering of the hero must not be senseless: it must have meaning! The audience must feel pity and fear for this character.