Othello

Assignment to have been completed: Students should have completed Act 5.1-2 of Othello.

Activities:

• A. Discuss Act IV of Othello. Use the following questions to direct discussion and my answers to evaluate that discussion.

  Act V, Scene I

  • 1. How does Roderigo feel about murdering Cassio? Why does he go ahead with it?

    He does not feel any commitment or strength of purpose, but he responds to Iago’s sophistical reasoning that Cassio’s death at Roderigo’s hands is just another death [8 - 10]

  • 2. By what line of reasoning does Iago decide that it is Cassio he most wants dead?

    Iago decides he prefers the death of Cassio because Cassio’s mere existence exposes Iago’s lack of grace (and goodness) and because Othello may, in talking to Cassio, discover the truth behind Iago’s plots [18 -22].

  • 3. How can you explain the fact that Cassio does not recognize Iago as the man who stabbed him in the leg?

    Iago stabbed him from behind. [stage direction following 26]

  Act V, Scene ii

  • 1. Why is Othello reluctant to “shed [Desdemona’s] blood,/Nor scar that whiter skin of hers than snow” (3 - 4)? Why does he say, “I would not kill they unprepared spirit”? No, heaven forfend! I would not kill thy soul.” (31 - 32)?

    In the presence of Desdemona’s beauty and in light of the love he has felt for her, he has no wish to mar that beauty means of murder that leave marks.

    A converted Christian, Othello has no desire to be responsible for taking the life of an unrepentant soul, thus dooming her to Hell.

  • 2. When Emilia asks Desdemona who has tried to kill her, Desdemona says, “Nobody ‑ I myself.” How can you explain her reason for giving this response? What does it reveal about her character?

    This is an OPEN QUESTION. Perhaps Desdemona blames herself for any behavior that Othello may have misinterpreted. Perhaps she blames herself for marrying a man so unlike herself. Perhaps the answer lies somewhere else.

    Whatever answer the student gives, he or she must also connect some insight into Desdemona’s personality to it. For example, if the student says she blames herself for misinterpreted behavior, he or she may also conclude that Desdemona promotes co-dependent behavior or that she is naive or even that she loves Othello so much that she can imagine no fault in him.

  • 3. What is the tone of Emilia’s often repeated “My husband?”

    The tone is one of incredulity. Emilia cannot believe that her husband is the motivating force behind Othello’s act. Lines 171 - 174 support the idea that she cannot believe such villainy of her husband.

  • 4. To what extent are lines 175 - 176, spoken by Iago, true?

    His words are true insofar that he “thought up” the entire fabric of lies about Cassio and Desdemona’s unfaithfulness to Othello. He is also right in that Othello accepted fully each word Iago poured into his ear.

  • 5. Emilia asserts that Desdemona is “the sweetest innocent/that e’er did lift up eye.” Is her appraisal accurate?

    This is an OPEN QUESTION. The students should consider just how strong a character Desdemona is and how innocent in light of the way she chose to marry Othello.

  • 6. What does Othello mean when he calls himself “one who loved not wisely, but too well” (342 - 343)?

    Had Othello loved wisely, his reason would have ruled his passions, and Iago would never have incited him to blind jealousy. To Othello, loving “too well” suggests that his passions ruled his reason, and because he loved absolutely, Iago could move him to absolute jealousy.

Assignment for next class meeting: No assignment