Act 5

Question 1

Summary of Act 5

Answer 1

• Iago’s plot escalates with a failed attempt to kill Cassio, resulting in Roderigo’s death and Cassio’s injury.
• Othello confronts Desdemona in her bedroom and kills her, despite her protests of innocence.
• Emilia arrives, exposes Iago’s treachery, and pays with her life.
• Othello, realizing his mistake, takes his own life.
• Lodovico arrives to restore order, with Cassio appointed as - - - Othello’s successor.
  Iago faces justice for his crimes.

Question 2

The setting of Act 5 scene 1 and it’s significance

Answer 2

• Private Bedchamber = Arguably the first private and intimate scene , however it is perverted (murder scene)
• Darkness = We have moved from the Light bright setting of Cyprus in Act 2 scene 1 into darkness reflected the effect of chaos

Question 3

“When I have plucked the rose, I cannot give it life.”

Answer 3

Scene2
- Othello understands that he can not reverse Desdemona’s death or bring her back
- The verb “plucked” connotes a sense of violence, the plosive sound it very destructive representative of Othello is about to act destructively
- The noun “rose” is a romantic symbol, however in this context othello has aligned the rose with images of death and destruction

Question 4

“Some bloody passion shakes your frame”

Answer 4

Desdemona recognises that Othello is different from his usual self