Othello


Questions: Act 5 scene 2 lines 1-233

 

1. What reasons does Othello give for having to kill Desdemona?

The reasons that Othello gives for having to kill Desdemona is that he believes that by murdering her, she won't be able to deceive any more men. 'Yet she must die or else she'll betray more men.' This could suggest that Othello is a noble man and is doing this for the good of society as he believes that no one else will be hurt through her actions. But this also portrays his hamartia as he is making a mistake in believing Iago and going through with killing Desdemona. Furthermore, another reason as to why Othello decides to kill Desdemona is because he believes that she has been cheating on him with Cassio due to the misunderstanding about the handkerchief.

'That handkerchief which I so loved and gave thee, thou gav’st to Cassio.' This again depicts Othello's hamartia as he is misunderstood about the handkerchief. Also that he is too proud and incapable of asking Desdemona whether it is true or not.

    2. What evidence is there to suggest that Shakespeare adhered to racial stereotypes in this scene?



Shakespeare had adhered to racial stereotypes in this scene as Othello has spurts of irrational behaviours, this is shown through when he sees her asleep and doesn't want to murder her anymore 'Be thus when thou art dead and I will kill thee and love thee after. (kissing her) One more, and that’s the last' This portrays how he seems to be holding himself back from killing her due to her beauty. His behaviour seems to change as soon as she wakes up 'Peace and be still' Othello here is keeping her quiet so he is able to be quiet. This portrays how his behaviour changes in a short amount of time. Furthermore, another piece of evidence is the danger that Othello brings to this scene. 'And yet I fear you, for you’re fatal then when your eyes roll so' This is what Desdemona states whilst being in the bedroom. Othello has given off a sense of danger here as he is threatening Desdemona by mentioning death through asking her whether she has 'prayed' yet or not. This is foreshadowing her death which then projects fear.  

    3. Othello tells Desdemona that Cassio has confessed to sleeping with her (line 68). What was this 'confession'?


This 'confession' is that he saw Cassio with the handkerchief as Othello states 'By heaven, I saw my handkerchief in ’s hand O perjured woman, thou dost stone my heart.' This shows how the misunderstanding that Othello has with the handkerchief as Desdemona hadn't given it to Cassio.

1. Emilia says "Good gentleman, let me have leave to speak./ 'Tis proper I obey him - but not now!" [5.2.192-193] what does this indicate about Emilia and society? Consider the circumstances the characters are in.

This indicates how Emilia defies the expectation that women had to meet, for example being quiet when men are speaking as they were not able to have their opinion inputted in. But Emilia believes that women are no different to men as she states earlier on in the play. Also due to this situation Emilia goes against what men think that women should do. Iago states 'villainous whore!' This is what Iago shouts when Emilia is revealing too much which is destroying his plan.