Othello, Act 5 – Study Questions
Act 5, Scene 1
1. So far, everything has gone Iago's way. How does that begin to change in
this scene? How does this scene advance our understanding of the
psychology of evil? What problems is Iago running into? Pay particular
attention to Iago's "asides" in this scene.
Act 5, Scene 2
1. The scene opens with a final "confrontation" between Othello and
Desdemona. Think back to their accounts of how they fell in love. Think
back to all we have learned about their relationship. Think back to the
"half-truths" that have been spoken about them by Iago and others. Think
back to earlier scenes where we have seen them together. How would you
characterize their conversation here? How is it similar to or different than
earlier scenes? How does it make you feel about them as individuals and
about their relationship?
2. How do you feel about Emilia's character? What role does she play in this
scene? In what ways has she been a pivotal character in the play? When
you compare her character and Desdemona's, what does the play have to
say about the roles of women and their "duty" towards husbands and
fathers? Look back at Desdemona's first speech at 1.3.208ff, and also the
conversation Emilia and Desdemona have about men and women in Act 4,
Scene 3.
3. When Lodovico asks where Othello is, "this rash and most unfortuante
man," Othello answers, "That's he that was Othello. Here I am" (5.2.334).
Why does he answer in this way? How does this speech echo earlier
speeches or earlier ideas in the play? How is this Othello different from the
Othello of Act 1 (illustrate your answer by referring to specific speeches in
this scene).
4. Iago's last words in the play are, "Demand me nothing. What you know,
you know./ From this time forth I never will speak word" (5.2.355-56).
What do you think is the effect of this speech? How do you hear and see
him at this moment? In what way does this speech complete the portrait
of Iago? How, finally, do you see his character? Why has he done the
things he has done?
5. Contrast Iago's last speech with Othello's final speeches, beginning at
5.2.397: "Soft you. A word or two before you go...." What is Othello
concerned about here at the end? Throughout the play, we have
commented on (1) how other people see Othello and (2) how he sees
himself? How does he seem to see himself here at the end of the play?
How do others see him? How do you see him? How, finally, would you
sum up his character? What are his strengths and weaknesses (and how
are they related to one another)? To the extent that a tragedy is about the
tragic flaw of the hero, what would you point to as the flaw that
precipitates this tragedy?