Othello

Othello

Plot

Scene 1

Roderigo lies in wait for Cassio as he comes from Bianca's house. There is a quick skirmish of fighting, in which both Rodrigo and Cassio are wounded. The cries arouse Othello, who assumes that Iago has murdered Cassio, (as he had formally promised). Lodovico and Graitano hasten to see what is the matter, and Iago also appears on the scene. He takes control of the situation, sending Emilia back to Othello and Desdemona and Roderigo is killed.

Scene 2

Othello comes to Desdemona's bedchamber, determined to kill her. Though he was deeply affected by the sight of his love asleep he committed the murder. He accuses her of committing adultery with Cassio and although Desdemona pleads her innocence, he covers her head with a pillow and suffocates her. Emilia brings news of the fighting and the death of Rodrigo. When she sees the murdered Desdemona, and hears Othello's accusation, she raises the alarm; this fetches Iago, Gratiano, and Montano into the room. Emilia denounces Iago, who draws his sword on her and escapes from the scene. He is brought back, however, with Cassio and the full truth is revealed. Othello convinced of his own guilt, stabs himself, Iago is arrested and taken away to be tortured.

Characterisation

Othello

Othello is an African prince living in a European colour-prejudiced world. Othello's fatal flaw is that of jealously. Othello is overcome with jealousy and his usually high common sense is turned into blatant rage.

" That hast such noble sense of thy friend's wrong! Thou teachest me. Minion, your dear lies dead. And your unblest fate hies. Strumpet, I come! Forth of my heart those charms, thine eyes, are blotted; Thy bed, lust-stain'd, shall with lust's blood be spotted."

Desdemona

Desdemona is Othello's wife she id devoted to him, and is shocked and confused by the allegation of her unfaithfulness.

"That death's unnatural that kills for loving. Alas, why gnaw you so your nether lip? Some bloody passion shakes your very frame; these are portents; but yet I hope,

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