Othello: Act Five

Scene 1

As in the first scene of the play we are in a street at night, watching Iago issuing instructions to Roderigo. Iago informs us that he has two reasons for wanting Cassio murdered: firstly, because he “has a daily beauty in his life / That makes me ugly” (lines 19-20) and secondly because Othello may “unfold” him to Cassio (21). When Roderigo conceals himself Iago tells us that it would be convenient for him if Cassio and Roderigo could manage to kill each other: “Now, whether he kill Cassio, / Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other, / Every way makes my gain” (12-14). When Cassio enters Roderigo lunges at him and receives a wound himself. Iago steps in and stabs Cassio in the leg. As he cries for help, Othello appears. He mistakenly believes that Iago has murdered Cassio and decides to move on to his own act of vengeance (killing Desdemona): “Minion, your dear lies dead, / and your unblest fate hies. Strumpet, I come.” (33-34).

Cassio’s cries draw Lodovico and Gratiano, who are nervous that they will be ambushed. Iago enters with a light and immediately attends on Cassio, calling the others over to help him. While they are preoccupied with Cassio, Iago takes his opportunity to stab Roderigo, who has also been calling for assistance. He then reassumes his role as valiant helper, binding Cassio’s wound with his own shirt. Bianca has heard the noise and is dismayed when she sees that Cassio has been hurt. As quick-witted as ever, Iago swiftly implicates her in the quarrel’ between Cassio and Roderigo, who body is discovered. The dead and wounded are taken off. When Emilia arrives Iago informs her that Cassio’s wounds are the “fruit” of his “whoring” (116) and continues to attack Bianca, who is taken away, in spite of the lack of evidence to suggest she has done anything. Emilia goes to inform Othello and Desdemona of what has happened. Iago closes the scene with a tense aside; the dramatic and swift moving events o this night will either make or mar his fortunes forever.

Scene 2

Othello enters the bed chamber carrying a lantern. In a long speech he outlines his thoughts; he intends to kill his wife, but not to shed her blood. He sees himself as a just revenger, who is preventing Desdemona from betraying more men: “Yet she must die, else she’ll betray more men.” (5). At the same time he is struck by the enormity of the violent act he is about to commit; even now he regrets his intentions: he knows that he will not be able to bring Desdemona back to life after he has killed her. Othello kisses his sleeping wife, whose physical beauty still has a powerful effect on him, swaying him momentarily from his purpose: “O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade / Justice to break her sword” (16-17). Yet again he is drawn to kiss her and weep; but he insists his tears must be cruel tears: “This sorrow’s heavenly, / It strikes where it doth love” (21-22). Desdemona wakes up. Othello speaks to her calmly, asking her if she has prayed. He does not want to murder her “unprepared spirit” (31). Desdemona is scared by her husband’s words and looks and begs to know what disturbs him. Othello returns to the topic of the handkerchief, which Desdemona denies giving to Cassio. She weeps when she learns that Cassio is (as Othello believes) dead, realising finally that she is “undone” (75). Othello believes she is weeping because she mourns Cassio and becomes angry. He stifles Desdemona. Meanwhile Emilia is knocking on the door. Othello ignores her calls until he believes his wife is no longer breathing. When he discovers that Cassio has not been killed, Othello is worried. Desdemona revives and calls out, reasserting her innocence. Emilia’s attention turns immediately to her mistress and she demands to know who has killed her: “O who hath done this deed? “ (125). Desdemona’s reply is characteristically generous; she assumes responsibility for her own death and asks to be commended to her husband: In reply to Emilia she says, “Nobody. I myself. Farewell. / Commend me to my kind lord. O farewell.” (125-126). Othello briefly pretends that he did not kill his wife, but then admits his guilt. Emilia turns on him. Othello relates the story of his wife’s unfaithfulness and tells Emilia that it was her husband Iago who told him Desdemona was false. Shocked, Emilia continues to insult Othello. She then shouts for help and Montano, Gratiano and Iago rush in. Emilia confronts Iago and he admits that he told Othello Desdemona was false, but then warns her to hold her tongue. But Emilia will not be silenced. She continues to lament her mistress’ death loudly and explains how the handkerchief came to be in Iago’s possession: “O thou dull Moor, that handkerchief thou speak’st of / I found by fortune, and did give my husband; / For often, with solemn earnestness, / More than indeed belonged to such a trifle, / he begged of me to steal it” (225-229). Othello finally understands the truth, “Are there no stones in heaven / But what serve for the thunder? Precious villain!”, and tries to strike Iago, who escapes, after stabbing his wife. Othello is disarmed, guards are sent after Iago, and Emilia asks to be placed on the bed so that she be near her mistress. Emilia dies, reiterating Desdemona’s innocence. Overcome by despair, Othello now begins to think of his won death. He feels both helpless (“Who can control his fate?”, 263) and determined to be punished (“Whip me, ye devils”, 275). He cannot bear the pain of losing Desdemona.

Iago is escorted back onto the stage by guards. Lodovico and Montano accompany him and Casio is carried on in a chair. Othello hopes to kill Iago when he strikes him, but then says he is glad that his foe has survived; death represents happiness to him. When he is asked why he has behaved so villainously, Iago takes refuge in silence. However, his plots against Cassio are discovered (letters in the dead Roderigo’s pocket reveal all). The disgraced lieutenant confirms that he found the handkerchief in his chamber, and that Iago has admitted that he placed it there. Othello now feels the full weight of his crime and calls out in agony “O fool, fool, fool!” (321). Lodovico promises that Iago will be tortured and then informs Othello he will be held prisoner too, until the Venetian senate has decided his fate. But Othello will not be humiliated in this way. He reminds his listeners of the services he has done the state and asks to be remembered as one “that loved not wisely, but too well; / Of one not easily jealous, but, being wrought, / Perplexed in the extreme” (342-344). Condemning himself for his actions he then kills himself with his sword, falling on the bed as he dies. Lodovico curses Iago, who is left to Cassio’s mercy as governor of Cyprus. Othello’s fortune is passed on to Gratiano. Lodovico says he will return to inform the Venetian senate of the terrible events that have occurred.