Othello Act V

Summarize the events that lead to Iago's unmasking.

- Emilia tells Othello that Cassio killed Roderigo - Othello finds out Cassio is not dead after he killed Desdemona. - Othello admits to Emilia that he killed Desdemona because she "cheated" on him. - Emilia interrupts and Iago tries stabbing her and succeeds. - Othello stabs Iago and Iago refused to say anything. - Othello then asks Cassio where he found the handkerchief. Cassio states that he found it in his chamber. -Othello was going to be stripped of his power but stabs himself and falls on the bed where Desdemona is dead.

How does Othello's mistaken belief that Cassio is slain affect the outcome of the play?

After the ambush, Iago ends up killing Cassio and Roderigo. Othello hears Cassio's cry and comes to see what is going on. He witnesses Iago killing Cassio. This changes the outcome of the play because Othello is now influenced to kill Desdemona. He says to Iago "Thou teachest me" (Page - 1002, scene 1, verse 34). He had a mindset of revenge.

What do you understand by Othello's calling himself "one that loved not wisely but too well" (V, ii, 354)?

He is speaking of Desdemona's supposedly cheating on him. Because he believes Iago and Roderigo's false accusations of Desdemona and Cassio's relations, he considers himself unwise, though he loved her a lot which led him to believe that he loved her well.

In your interpretation of the play, why exactly does Othello kill Desdemona? Jealousy?Desire for revenge? Excess idealism? A wish to be a public avenger who punishes women for all men ("else she'll betray more men")?

In my interpretation of the play, I believe that a combination of disgust and jealousy impels Othello to kill Desdemona. It is evident that Othello is disgusted by actions he thinks Desdemona took when he says "she turned to folly, and she was a whor*". Othello also claims "O, she was foul!" The meanings of both quotes are also enhanced through Othello's tone. Along with disgust, Othello also shows signs of jealousy by saying "Tis pitiful. But yet Iago knows that she with Cassio hath the act of shame a thousand times committed. Cassio confessed it; And she did gratify his amorous works with that recognizance and pledge of love which I first gave her. I saw it in his hand; It was a handkerchief, an antique token my father gave my mother". This quote proves that Othello was disgusted Desdemona could easily give away such a valuable treasure and that he was jealous she gave it to his right hand man, Cassio.

In your view, does Othello's long speech in V, ii, 348-366 succeed in restoring his original dignity an nobility? Do you agree with Cassio that Othello was "great of heart"?

In my views I do think Othello restored his dignity and nobility because he confess that he allowed someone to let him so frazzled to think Desdemona would cheat on him. So this proves that Othello truthfully notices that he was in the wrong and regrets his decisions. I do agree with Cassio that Othello had a great heart but he was in a weak moment and allowed someone else to influence his mind and heart.

What is Iago's motive in stabbing Rodrigo?

When he stabbed Roderigo, he did not kill him. He thought that if he was only wounded, Roderigo and Cassio would end up battling each other once Cassio enered the picture. This would give Iago the chance to swindle gold and jewels from Roderigo and gve them to Desdemona as gifts. Afterwards, he played it off as if he had nothing to do with the encounter.