Othello Questions

Answer questions 1-3 and 5-6 of act IV and questions 1 and 4-6 of act V on
pgs. 1601-1602. 

Act IV:

Othello finds out that Cassio had apparently given the handkerchief that he had given to Desdemona to the prostitute Bianca. I think it is ironic and stupid that Bianca comes out of nowhere crying to Cassio about why he gave her that handkerchief. Like it can't not be ironic that she comes running right when Othello is hiding nearby. The reason that Othello wasn't moved by Desdemona's appeal is because Iago's accusations and the "proof" he brought stood stronger in Othello's mind than anything his wife could say. The conversation between Desdemona and Emilia shows us that Emilia believes that if she is cheated on then she will cheat back, but Desdemona believes that if she was cheated on then she would mend the issue. Desdemona says,"Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend!" In act 4 the scene between Othello and Desdemona contains massive amounts of dramatic irony because the audience knows the truth of the situation, but neither Othello nor Desdemona know the truth that they are being played by Iago.

Act V:

To summarize the events of Iago's unmasking, Cassio kills Roderigo, Iago cuts open Cassio's leg, Othello murders Desdemona, Emilia finds out and then the truth is revealed about Iago. I believe the reason that Othello kills Desdemona is because he realizes that no one would want Othello. Thus he says only the whore of Venice would marry Othello. (something like that :P) His self-esteem and his trust is hurt. When Othello says "one that loved not wisely but too well" he realizes his own faults. He realizes the things that led to his downfall. I think that his speech in act 5 seems to restore his dignity and his nobility, at least in heart if not in deeds. I still think he was stupid to fall for Iago's tricks in not even checking things out for himself. He let his faults get to him and then suffered. So Cassio was right when he said that Othello was "great of heart." However it in no doubt that his heart was his death. Thus was the tragedy of Othello.