Why does Othello choose to trust Iago rather than Desdemona?
This is mainly attributed to Othello's high regard of Iago as a friend, as well as Iago's manipulation of Othello's insecurities involving both his place in Venetian society and within his marriage. His didactic view of women also place further reason for Othello to trust Iago over Desdemona.
Why did Desdemona decide to marry Othello?
However, Desdemona reveals that she agreed to marry Othello of her own free will and that she was the one who initially pursued him by wanting to hear his war stories. Desdemona marries Othello because she is intrigued by his adventurous past as a soldier who has been to exotic lands.
Why does Othello smother Desdemona?
The manner in which Desdemona is murdered—smothered by a pillow in a bed covered in her wedding sheets—is symbolic: she is literally suffocated beneath the demands put on her fidelity. Since her first lines, Desdemona has seemed capable of meeting or even rising above those demands.
Is Desdemona unfaithful to Othello?
It is by manipulating this insecurity in Othello that Iago convinces Othello that it would only be natural for Desdemona to be unfaithful and exchange him, a Black man, for a white man like Cassio.
Where does Othello plan to kill Desdemona?
But on Iago's suggestion, Othello decides he will "strangle her in her bed," (Line 219), specifically "the bed she hath [has] contaminated" (Line 219). Iago for his part pledges to kill Cassio or in his own words, he will become Cassio's "undertaker;" (Line 224).
What happens in Act 2 Scene 3 of Othello?
Summary: Act II, scene iii. Othello leaves Cassio on guard during the revels, reminding him to practice self-restraint during the celebration. Othello and Desdemona leave to consummate their marriage. Once Othello is gone, Iago enters and joins Cassio on guard.
What happens in Act 4 Scene 2 in Othello?
In Act IV, scene ii, Othello interrogates Emilia as if she were a witness to a crime. 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.
What happens in Act 3 Scene 3 of Othello?
Cassio speaks to Desdemona, asking her to intercede with Othello on his behalf. Desdemona willingly agrees, knowing that Cassio is an old friend of Othello's. She promises to speak of him with her husband repeatedly until the quarrel is patched up and Cassio is recalled.
What happened in Act 2 Scene 1 of Othello?
Synopsis: The Turkish fleet is destroyed in a storm, while Cassio and then Desdemona, Emilia, and Iago arrive safely at Cyprus. Desdemona anxiously waits for Othello. When his ship arrives, he and Desdemona joyfully greet each other.
What is the purpose of Act 2 Scene 2 in Othello?
In this very short scene, a messenger appears to announce that Othello has declared mass feasting and revelry in celebration of the victory against the Turks, and also in honor of his marriage to Desdemona.
What happens in Act 5 Scene 2 of Othello?
Synopsis of Act 5 Scene 2 Othello prepares to kill Desdemona, trying to convince himself that he is acting out of justice, not revenge. He cannot resist kissing his sleeping wife, and almost changes his mind about killing her. Desdemona awakes and protests her innocence and her love for him.
What happens in Act 5 of Othello?
Othello stabs Iago, wounding him, and Lodovico orders some soldiers to disarm Othello. Iago sneers that he bleeds but is not killed. He refuses to say anything more about what he has done, but Lodovico produces a letter found in Roderigo's pocket that reveals everything that has happened.
What happened in Act 4 of Othello?
His psychological torture is too much for Othello and he falls into a trance (he has a seizure). Iago tells Othello to hide while he talks to Cassio and gets him to admit he is having an affair with Desdemona. He promises to get Cassio to admit the time, the place, and how often they've been together.
How does Othello approach the killing of Desdemona?
Othello still loves Desdemona, and does not want to see her slaughtered so he decides to smother her. Othello believes by killing her in this manner and by letting her repent her "sins'' he is saving her soul and sending her to heaven.
Where does Act 1 Scene 3 of Othello take place?
Summary: Act I, scene iii. Due to the Moor my lord. The duke's meeting with his senators about the imminent Turkish invasion of Cyprus takes an unexpected turn when a sailor arrives and announces that the Turks seem to have turned toward Rhodes, another island controlled by Venice.
Why is Act 3 Scene 3 of Othello called the temptation scene?
Discuss the significance of Act 3 Scene 3 in terms of the development of characters and theme Act 3 Scene 3 is often called "the temptation scene" as Othello's trust in Desdemona is seduced away by Iago.
What handkerchief did Othello give to Desdemona?
Bianca enters the scene and returns to Cassio the handkerchief that he gave to her, which is the handkerchief that Othello gave to Desdemona, and which Othello believes Desdemona gave to Cassio as a token of her love for him. Othello is now convinced that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him with Cassio, and he rages against both of them, ...
How many times does Othello smother Desdemona?
Othello must smother Desdemona not once, but twice. When Othello first smothers Desdemona, Emilia is heard calling to Othello from outside the bedroom door. The length of time that passes between Othello first smothering Desdemona and Emilia's appearance outside the door is entirely at the discretion of the director.
Does Othello strangle Desdemona?
However, in act 5, scene 2, when the time comes for Othello to kill Desdemona, he doesn't strangle her. The stage direction in the First Quarto of Othello, published in 1622, says that "he stifles her," which is somewhat vague.
Who killed Desdemona in the movie?
Hearing Cassio’s cries of murder, Othello believes that Iago has killed him. Inspired by what he believes to be Iago’s successful vengeance, Othello returns to his bedroom to kill Desdemona. Lodovico and Graziano enter and hear Cassio’s and Roderigo’s cries.
Who calls out for help in the scene of Othello?
Unfazed by Othello’s threat that she “were best” to remain silent, Emilia calls out for help, bringing Montano, Graziano, and Iago to the scene (V.ii. 168 ). As the truth of Iago’s villainy begins to come out through Emilia’s accusations, Othello falls weeping upon the bed that contains the body of his dead wife.
What does Emilia tell Othello about Cassio?
Emilia informs Othello that Cassio has killed Roderigo. Othello asks if Cassio has been killed as well, and Emilia informs him that Cassio is alive. As Othello begins to realize that his plans have gone awry, Desdemona cries out that she has been murdered.
What does Iago tell Emilia?
Emilia enters, and Iago tells her what has happened, adding the explanation, “This is the fruits of whoring ” (V.i. 118 ). He and Emilia chastise Bianca, at whose house Cassio had dined that evening. Iago takes Bianca under arrest, and sends Emilia to tell Othello and Desdemona what has happened.
What is the first scene of Act V?
In the first scene of Act V, we see the utterly futile end of Roderigo and his plans . Roderigo was first persuaded that he need only follow Othello and Desdemona to Cyprus in order to win over Desdemona, then that he need only disgrace Cassio, then that he need only kill Cassio. Now, Roderigo, stabbed by the man who gave him false hope, dies empty-handed in every possible way. He has given all his money and jewels to Iago, who admits that the jewelry more than anything else motivated his killing of Roderigo: “Live Roderigo, / He calls me to a restitution large / Of gold and jewels that I bobbed from him” (V.i.14–16).
What does Lodovico find in Roderigo's pocket?
He refuses to say anything more about what he has done, but Lodovico produces a letter found in Roderigo’s pocket that reveals everything that has happened. Seeking some kind of final reconciliation, Othello asks Cassio how he came by the handkerchief, and Cassio replies that he found it in his chamber.
What does Lodovico tell Othello?
Lodovico tells Othello that he must come with them back to Venice, and that he will be stripped of his power and command and put on trial. Refusing to be taken away before he has spoken, Othello asks his captors, “When you shall these unlucky deeds relate, / Speak of me as I am” (V.ii.350–351).
Why did Desdemona kill Othello?
And to Othello it is like a sharing of love, to share a handkerchief. Because Othello describes that a woman who cannot take care of her gift from her husband can also lose her husband.
What is the reason for Desdemona's murder?
This little acquaintance between them becomes a great cause of Desdemona’s murder which is after all Desdemona’s own choice. Desdemona’s innocence is also a great reason for her murder.
What would have happened if Emilia had not given Iago the handkerchief?
If she had not given the handkerchief to Iago, Iago would not have been able to blame Desdemona. When Emilia committed the mistake of giving the handkerchief to Iago that he easily trapped Othello in his network. This handkerchief was a symbol of love but later it became tragic for her.
Why is Desdemona so innocent?
Desdemona’s innocence is also a great reason for her murder. She is so innocent that she cannot feel changes in the behavior of her husband. Instead of thinking about the changes in Othello’s behavior. Iago also utters malevolent words in front of Othello, and Othello becomes suspicious about Desdemona’s loyalty.
Why does Cassio impeach Desdemona?
Cassio impeaches Desdemona to recommend Othello for his reinstatement. She is so innocent that she does not think about it. She is by no means a terrified tiny teenager, but a strong-minded earnest, vital, though somewhat inexpert, woman. As she directly talks to Othello about his reinstatement.
Why did Othello doubt Cassio's loyalty?
Due to her cunningness, Othello was perplexed and so much frustrated about his beloved. When Iago accused Desdemona that she had given the handkerchief to Cassio, then Othello doubted his beloved’s fidelity and loyalty. On the other side, due to her naivety, Desdemona did not know about the accusation and conspiracy against her.
Why did Iago take revenge on Desdemona?
This was the basic element that paved the first step towards her tragic death. Iago was in a state to take his vengeance from Othello and wanted to destroy him. For the sake of mercenary benefits and personal vengeance, so he maneuvered against him and tried every edge, in this malicious web Desdemona was captured.
Summary of Othello: Act 5 Scene 2
Act 5 Scene 2 of Othello opens in Desdemona’s chamber. Othello enters it to kill her and finds his wife in their bed. The room is dark, and Othello carries a candle with him. He stands over her and admires Desdemona’s beauty. Othello changes his mind for a second. However, he comes back to his plan and gives a goodbye kiss to his wife.
Analysis of Othello: Act 5 Scene 2
Before Act 5 Scene 2, the scenes were mainly happening in public areas. Now, the action takes place in a more private setting, Desdemona’s chamber. Not only the audience enters the most personal of all possible locations, but also this is the first time the audience sees the couple alone.