OTHELLO ACT IV and ACT V

1. Othello succumbs to jealousy even more at this point. What does he do that indicates the severity of his mental state? 2. Look carefully at Iago’s 5 sentences in lines 63-72. What persuasive strategies does he use (so well in fact that Othello believes he is “wise; ‘tis certain”)? 3. a) Explain how Iago tricks both Cassio and Othello.

b) What coincidence helps his plan?

4. Why is line 122 significant? Is this an example of dramatic irony – why or why not? 5. Othello becomes completely overtaken by jealousy after seeing the handkerchief. What does he threaten to do? 6. What does Iago say to change his mind? 7. Who is Lodovico and why has he come to Cyprus? 8. What statement does Desdemona utter that throws Othello into a jealous rage? 9. Lodovico assumes the content of the letter is the cause of Othello’s anger. Why is this a logical assumption? 10.What does Othello do that appals Lodovico? 11.In lines 235-236, Othello refers to ‘crocodile tears’. What does he mean? 12.What conclusion does Lodovico reach about Othello?

1. What does Desdemona assume is the cause of Othello’s anger when he confronts her? 2. What is Desdemona’s reaction to Othello’s accusations of her infidelity? Cite specific lines to support your answer. 3. To what/whom does Emilia attribute Othello’s jealousy? 4. What does Iago say to attempt to console Desdemona? 5. What persuasive strategy does Iago use to trick Roderigo yet again? 6. What does Iago suggest Roderigo do to continue his courting of Desdemona? 4.3

1. Foreshadowing occurs when “a work of fiction gives hints or clues to what will happen later”. What foreshadows Desdemona’s fate in this scene? 2. Desdemona and Emilia differ regarding their views of infidelity. a) What are Desdemona’s beliefs? b) What are Emilia’s beliefs? c) What does Emilia’s argument suggest about her and Iago’s relationship? 3. Some literary critics believe that the portrayal of Desdemona in this scene is not consistent with her portrayal in the rest of the play, particularly Act I. Do you agree or disagree? Write a formal paragraph that proves either that Desdemona is the same in 4.1 as she is in the rest of the play OR that she is different in this scene than in the rest of the play. Use specific examples and quotations to support your ideas.

1. How does Iago justify the deaths of Roderigo and Cassio? 2. How does Iago solve his "Roderigo" problem? 3. Who will get the blame for the attack on Cassio if Iago has his way?

1. What tone and justification does Othello try to give the murder of Desdemona in 5.2.1- 22? 2. Othello makes two false statements in 5.2.66-73. What are they? Which one is a deliberate lie, and which one does Othello mistakenly think is true? 3. Othello manages to conceal the murder from Emilia at first. What finally gives it away? How does Desdemona explain it? 4. What is ironic about Othello’s confession that he murdered Desdemona? 5. How do Roderigo's pockets conveniently help to clarify much of what happened? 6. Before his death, how does Othello regain his greatness (note the return of the kind of poetry he spoke early in the play) and avoid imprisonment? 7. Who gets Othello's estate? Why? 8. Is Iago dead? 9. Which lines/passage from 5.2 do you find most interesting or relevant to the play? Add them to attached ‘Significant Quotations’ chart. Significant Quotations from Act IV and V: Choose four significant quotations of 3-8 lines. Using the ‘Addressing the Significance of Quotations’ handout, fill in the chart below to practise your analytical skills.

Quotation Speaker & Context: Meaning: Significance: (with scene and line numbers) (Who is saying it to whom (Paraphrase or summarize the Use handout, and prove with specific in what situation?) passage’s meaning or message.) examples, imagery, diction, etc.