In this soliloquy, there are no references to strumpets or whores, nor to coupling goats or monkeys, nor to any other images which once racked him with jealousy. Iago arrives with Desdemona as planned earlier and they wait to receive Othello from the sea. Othello is a wreck. In the final moment of the play, Iago, who has directed action throughout, ends up as a spectator to his own misdeeds. Desdemona wakens and calls him to bed, but he tells her to pray at once, repenting anything she needs to repent, and he will wait while she prays because he does not want to kill her soul. © 2020 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. She also asks him the reason of her death. In fact, he refuses even to let her live a bit longer so she can prove her innocence. His resolve of self-control breaks when Desdemona calls out for Cassio; he is convinced that he indeed heard Cassio laughing about a sexual liaison with Desdemona. He compares her to a rose which, once plucked, can bloom no more and must wither. Desdemona says that she is innocent, denies that anyone has killed her, and dies. the cause" (1) — that is, Desdemona's infidelity, and he even hesitates to speak aloud the name of Desdemona's crime before the "chaste stars" (2). bookmarked pages associated with this title. Desdemona wakens and calls him to bed, but he tells her to pray at once, repenting anything she needs to repent, and he will wait while she prays because he does not want to kill her soul. The duke and the senators discuss the movements of the Turkish fleet and conclude that its target is, indeed, Cyprus…. In response to her pointed questions, Iago concedes that he did report that Desdemona was unfaithful, but that Othello himself found the same to be true. Her testimony would be strong evidence of Desdemona’s innocence, except that Othello dismisses it all as lies, because it does not accord with what he already believes. Emilia, who understands Iago far better than the gullible male characters have so far, demonstrates her loyalty to Desdemona by risking her own safety and defying the murderer of her former mistress, despite his obvious willingness to do violence. There remains, however, a passionate conviction of righteousness in his words — despite his monumental error. Summary and Analysis Act II: Scene 2 Summary The herald reads a proclamation declaring a night of general festivities to celebrate both the destruction of the Turkish fleet and Othello's recent marriage. Act 5, Scenes 1–2 Summary and Analysis Last ... Last Updated on July 22, 2020, by eNotes Editorial. Now Emilia has the key idea. Act V, scene i: Cyprus. He is torn between his love for her (evidenced by his kiss) and his resolve to accomplish justice. Struggling with distance learning? Scene 2. A herald reads a proclamation that Othello has called for a night of revelry to celebrate the annihilation of the Turkish fleet as well as his recent marriage. Read a translation of Act IV, scene iii → Analysis: Act IV, scenes ii–iii. and any corresponding bookmarks? Emilia sees herself as a witness and will tell what she has seen, and Othello declares that he has killed Desdemona because of her infidelity. Desdemona is a "pattern of excelling nature" (11), yet she is also "cunning" (11). Then Desdemona's voice is heard from the bed, saying "falsely murdered" and Emilia calls for help. Lodovico's sad words end the tragedy. This is further evidence of the tumultuous state of his mind but also that in denying having done any wrong, his strong conviction and belief that he … Othello - Act 5, Scene 2 By Bec, Charlotte, Lucy, Caera and Paris Theme: Revenge Theme: Seeming vs. Gratiano then speaks and tells us that he finds comfort in the fact that Desdemona's father is not alive to hear of this tragedy; already he is dead of grief because of Desdemona's marrying the Moor. The Moor then urges her to pray for forgiveness of any sin within her soul, and she becomes increasingly terrified. For a moment, his love for her almost persuades "justice" (meaning Othello) "to break [his] sword" (17). Iago has Roderigo poised and ready to pounce on Cassio, and kill him; if either of them is killed, it is to Iago's benefit, although he would like to have both of them disposed of, so that his devices might not be discovered.Roderigo and Cassio fight, and both are injured; Othello hears the scuffle, is pleased, and then leaves to finish off Desdemona. “Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. As Desdemona cries out, first for heaven to have mercy on her and later for God Himself to have mercy on her, Othello voices a solemn "amen" to her prayers and addresses her as a "sweet soul" (50). Othello, meanwhile, his crime staring him in the face, now can only preserve his honor by insisting that Iago's version must be the truth. No longer is he possessed with revenge for his grievously injured pride. She asks Othello to call for Cassio and ask him by himself. Word Count: 1226. Othello finds one of his prized weapons, a Spanish sword, and he recalls that he used the sword boldly in the past. Iago stabs Emilia and runs out. Othello, now comprehending everything, shows frank, deep remorse. Yet he will kill her; Desdemona must die, "else she'll betray more men" (6). This he mistakenly concludes to be additional evidence of her guilt. Othello stands at Desdemona's bedside. Desdemona is sleeping on a bed. Othello lunges at Iago, wounds him, and is disarmed. As she dies, Emilia tells Othello that Desdemona loved him. Othello realizes, too late, that he had been tricked and manipulated. When Othello's words awaken Desdemona, she begins an agonizing attempt to reason with her husband. … Here is what has become of the Othello of earlier acts — a man admirably self-possessed, the master of the situation. In Act IV, scene ii, Othello interrogates Emilia as if she were a witness to a crime. Othello is freshly aware that he has been ensnared body and soul by "that demi-devil" (301) Iago, who refuses to confess his villainy. Iago is caught and brought back. The scene begins with Othello holding a candle, which he uses to construct a metaphor for killing Desdemona: if he puts out a light, he can put it on again, but if he snuffs out her … The military mission Othello leads comes to an anti-climactic conclusion when the storm sinks the Turkish fleet. Lodovico then produces two letters found on Roderigo's body: one tells of the plan to slay Cassio, and the other is Roderigo's denunciation of Iago. Our, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. Find a summary of this and each chapter of Othello! As Othello begins to realize that his plans have gone awry, … She is afraid, although she knows she is not guilty. He promises he won't mar Desdemona's beautiful skin by cutting her up or anything—she'll be pretty in death. He reminds himself that perhaps he was not wholly corrupt, but he dies knowing that his soul is lost. Yet, at the same time, when he tells of stabbing the Turk, he also stabs himself. Analysis. When Cassio states quietly that he never gave the Moor reason to distrust him, Othello readily accepts his word and asks for his pardon. It begins with Othello entering his chamber where Desdemona is in bed waiting for her husband. We'll look at context, beats, unfamiliar words & more. Repetition By: Giulia, Kathy, Jessica, and Sarina Literary Analysis Why do you think Roderigo had letters As she sleeps, he bends down and kisses her several times. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Emilia insists that Desdemona was faithful; Othello replies that Cassio had been with her, and Iago knew all about it. Next he … Summary. By refusing to even listen to Desdemona's denials of her suspected infidelity, Othello reveals how fully he has lost his independent perspective and succumbed to Iago's web of illusions. . The slow pace of Desdemona's death stretches out its brutality and the terrible consequences of Othello's delusion. Lodovico vows to punish Iago and tells Othello that he must return with him to Venice. Cassio did top her" (134-136). (271). That these two things happen almost simultaneously heightens the play's tragedy. We should not overlook this simile; Othello compares himself to the "base Judean" who threw away the most valuable pearl in the world. He is talking with Iago about the handkerchief still, and its significance in being found; but, soon, Iago whips Othello into an even greater fury through mere insinuation, and Othello takes the bait. The final moment of revelation is at hand. However, Othello does not seek to profit from Desdemona's own attempt to "direct" a scene to his benefit. All Acts are listed on the Othello text page, or linked to from the bottom of this page.. ACT 5. Desdemona is asleep in her bed as Othello enters, carrying a candle. Act 5, Scene 2. He appears to be the most intelligent person in the play, Othello, by … He sees himself as a lost soul — "where should Othello go?" What do you think Iago’s true motivation is? Students love them!”. In a seaport in Cyprus, Montano and few gentlemen are wondering about the strong wind which just blew through the sea and how it must’ve dispersed the Turkish fleet. It is at this moment that Emilia arrives outside the door, crying loudly for Othello. (including. Act 5 Scene 2 Othello: Othello proudly declares that he has killed his wife moments after denying having any knowledge of her death. When she wakes up, he asks her if she has prayed and if there are any sins she needs to confess. The speed with which Othello is transformed from respected general to reviled outsider reveals the strength of prejudices more or less repressed by other characters throughout the majority of the play. The news that Cassio has killed Roderigo is the first sign of Iago's plots unraveling. Othello’s character by the end of Act 5 Scene 2 is reminiscent of the man of “perfect soul” we saw earlier in the play, and thus we feel not disgust towards him, but a sense of quiet sadness and sympathy for the unavoidable path that he takes. He weeps, but he regains his purpose; Desdemona's beauty is deceptive, he realizes, because it masks her corruption. Scene 2. He is no longer the angry, vengeful husband. Emilia curses Iago, calls him a liar, and cries murder to waken everyone. Desdemona wakes up and asks him sweetly to which he answers that at last, she must repent … His soliloquy is quiet, and he seems to be more an agent of justice than the jealous cuckold. He chooses to execute the necessary justice upon himself. Thus he will not shed Desdemona's blood (instead, he will smother her); nor will he scar her physical beauty; nor would he, as we learn later, kill her soul. All this finally becomes unbearable for the Moor, and he falls upon his wife's bed, only to be mocked by Emilia for his anguish. Iago kills Emilia because she did betray him—but she betrayed him for the greater good, and Iago's violence toward her is more graphic and terrible than the smothering of Desdemona, bringing home his full villainy. Indeed, she jeopardizes her very soul by deliberately lying in order to protect Othello, her husband, to whom she asks to be commended. She says "my husband" over and over, while Othello pours out his heart on justice and how he loved her and how Iago is honest. The following is a summary of part two. They completely demystify Shakespeare. Cassio's relative restraint, despite having been wounded by Roderigo and Iago and mistrusted by Othello, reveals his strength of character, which contrasts with Iago's increasingly sadistic malice as the extent of his plot is revealed. Form and structure Act 5, Scene 2 is the climax of the play where it’s genre as a tragedy is particularly highlighted. And it is notable throughout this harrowing episode that Othello's language is controlled and elevated. He must return to Venice and "with heavy heart" (371) relate "this heavy act" (371). "She turn'd to folly, and she was a whore" (132); "she was false as water . fool!" Othello and Cassio demand to know why he did it, but Iago refuses to explain and says he will never speak again. Knowing that she cannot convince him of her fidelity, Desdemona weeps and begs him to banish her rather than kill her, or let her live just a little more, but he stifles her, presumably with a pillow. 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