OTHELLO ACT IV and ACT V
4.1
1. Othello succumbs to jealousy even more at this point. What does he do that indicates
the severity of his mental state?
He keeps repeating himself and Iago . He seems unable to complete his sentences. He
also is obsessed with Desdemona and her sexual activities.
2. Look carefully at Iago’s 5 sentences in lines 63-72. What persuasive strategies does
he use (so well in fact that Othello believes he is “wise; ‘tis certain”)?
What he does is to paint a picture that all women are unfaithful. This insinuation makes
Othello believe him as he is not specific to Desdemona but Othello easily makes the
leap.
3. a) Explain how Iago tricks both Cassio and Othello.
Iago uses specific and well issued questions presented to Cassio that to Cassio seem
to be about Bianca but to Othello appear to be about he and Desdemona.
b) What coincidence helps his plan?
Bianca brings the handkerchief with her and throws it in Cassioès face as from
another. How convenient!
4. Why is line 122 significant? I am a very villain else.
Iago calls it like he is. Yet, Cassio and Othello are duped by him and do not believe
this.
Is this an example of dramatic irony – why or why not? Yes, as we all know he really is
a villain. I find this frustrating as I, the reader, do not feel more intelligent than
these people yet why done they see Iago as we see him
5. Othello becomes completely overtaken by jealousy after seeing the handkerchief.
What does he threaten to do? How shall I murder him he says. He wishes to
murder Cassio and then poison Desdemona.
6. What does Iago say to change his mind? Iago suggests that he, Iago, will dispatch
Cassio. He thinks that it will make more sense to strangle Desdemona in her
marriage bed that she has defiled.
7. Who is Lodovico and why has he come to Cyprus? He is a General and a
messanger from the duke.
8. What statement does Desdemona utter that throws Othello into a jealous rage? She
says that there has been a breach between Othello and Cassio and that
Lodovico will make all well again. She also says she loves Cassio.
9. Lodovico assumes the content of the letter is the cause of Othello’s anger. Why is this
a logical assumption? Othello is usually very calm and after reading the letter, he
then gets in a rage. Lodovico does not know that he interrupted this rage.
10. What does Othello do that appals Lodovico? He slaps his wife and calls her the
devil.
11. In lines 235-236, Othello refers to ‘crocodile tears’. What does he mean? Crocodile
tears are a term for fake tears.
12. What conclusion does Lodovico reach about Othello? He comes to the conclusion
that Othello has changed. Either the letter has changed him or something has
brought out a different Othello.
4.2
1. What does Desdemona assume is the cause of Othello’s anger when he confronts
her? That he is upset by the letter that calls him back and because it is her
fathers doing that calls him back.
2. What is Desdemona’s reaction to Othello’s accusations of her infidelity? Cite specific
lines to support your answer. L.64I hope my noble lord esteems me honest. She
brings up heaven and he brings up hell (l. 80-91)
3. To what/whom does Emilia attribute Othello’s jealousy? That someone has poisoned
his mind. Someone wants his job.
4. What does Iago say to attempt to console Desdemona? He says this villain cannot
be so. Ohtello is just in a bad mood because of state business.
5. What persuasive strategy does Iago use to trick Roderigo yet again? He plots again
pumping up his ego talking of valour etc. He also says that if the next part fails
and he doesn’t have Desdemona soon, then Roderigo can kill him. He lets
Roderigo believe yet again that this is all going according to plan and he can
swoop in after Iago has put the others out of commission.
6. What does Iago suggest Roderigo do to continue his courting of Desdemona? He
should show her his courage and valour.
4.3
1. Foreshadowing occurs when “a work of fiction gives hints or clues to what will happen later”.
What foreshadows Desdemona’s fate in this scene?
-
Othello tells her to dismiss her attendant – Emilia finds this unusual
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“if I do die before thee, prithee shroud me/In one of those same sheets.”(24)
-
“And she dies singing it.” (29)
2. Desdemona and Emilia differ regarding their views of infidelity.
a) What are Desdemona’s beliefs? She doesn’t believe in it.
b) What are Emilia’s beliefs? She believes in it.
c) What does Emilia’s argument suggest about her and Iago’s relationship?
Strange and perhaps “open” – not happy
3. Some literary critics believe that the portrayal of Desdemona in this scene is not
consistent with her portrayal in the rest of the play, particularly Act I. Do you agree or
disagree? Write a formal paragraph that proves either that Desdemona is the same in
4.1 as she is in the rest of the play OR that she is different in this scene than in the
rest of the play. Use specific examples and quotations to support your ideas.
5.1
1. How does Iago justify the deaths of Roderigo and Cassio? “this is the fruits of
whoring”l116
2. How does Iago solve his "Roderigo" problem? Kills him
3. Who will get the blame for the attack on Cassio if Iago has his way? Roderigo or
Bianca
5.2
1. What tone and justification does Othello try to give the murder of Desdemona in 5.2.122? His tone is God-like – the great corrector. It is my duty to protect all men.
2. Othello makes two false statements in 5.2.66-73. What are they? “I saw the
handkerchief” (a deliberate lie) “He has confessed to using you” (the one he
thinks is true) and Which one is a deliberate lie, and which one does Othello
mistakenly think is true?
3. Othello manages to conceal the murder from Emilia at first. What finally gives it away?
She speaks How does Desdemona explain it? She killed herself – even in the end
she honours her husband
4. What is ironic about Othello’s confession that he murdered Desdemona?
5. How do Roderigo's pockets conveniently help to clarify much of what happened? in
his pockets he has letters explaining the plot
6. Before his death, how does Othello regain his greatness (note the return of the kind of
poetry he spoke early in the play) and avoid imprisonment? Again he reminds them
of his good deeds and that he was only human. He then kills himself.
7. Who gets Othello's estate? Gratiano Why? Probably because he’s now got the job
of clean up. Maybe too as he is Desdemona’s kin?
8. Is Iago dead? No
9. Which lines/passage from 5.2 do you find most interesting or relevant to the play?
Add them to attached ‘Significant Quotations’ chart.
Significant Quotations from Act IV and V:
Choose four significant quotations of 3-8 lines. Using the ‘Addressing the Significance of
Quotations’ handout, fill in the chart below to practise your analytical skills.
Quotation
Speaker & Context:
Meaning:
Significance:
(with scene and line numbers)
(Who is saying it to whom
in what situation?)
(Paraphrase or summarize the
passage’s meaning or message.)
Use handout, and prove with specific
examples, imagery, diction, etc.