Othello - William Shakespeare

Othello – William Shakespeare (Summary of Act V)

Iago and Roderigo wait outside the brothel where Cassio visits Bianca. Iago keeps Roderigo in a position with a rapier where he will be able to ambush Cassio. Iago then withdraws himself though roderigo asks him not to go too far in case he needs his help in killing Cassio. Cassio enters and Roderigo stabs at Cassio but fails to pierce Cassio’s armour. In self-defense, Cassio immediately stabs Roderigo and wounds him fatally. In this commotion, Iago darts out from his hiding and stabs Cassio in the leg and exits.   Not knowing who has stabbed him, Cassio falls crying ‘murder’, ‘murder’.  At this same moment, Othello hearing Cassio’s frantic cries of murder and believes that Iago has killed Cassio. Then, Othello returns to his bedchamber under the influence of Iago’s successful vengeance to kill his own wife, Desdemona.

Othello enters his bedchamber holding a candle and stands over his sleeping wife, Desdemona and prepares to kill her. He bends down to kiss her once before he does his deed. She wakes up as he is trying to kiss her. He tells her to prepare to die. Growing frightened, Desdemona asks her husband why he means to kill her. Othello tells her that she has been unfaithful to him with Cassio for which he had a proof in the handkerchief. She pleads with him for her innocence and tries to convince him about her honesty against his charges of guilt. Othello refuses to believe Desdemona’s denial of his charges, saying that Cassio has confessed but he will speak no more, since he has been killed by Iago.  Desdemona begins to weep for Cassio, as she hears about his death, which only drives Othello into a greater rage. Othello tries to strangle her. Struggling to escape from manly grip of her husband she begs him to allow her to live just a little longer. In spite of her helpless begging, Othello finally succeeds in smothering his wife. By the time, Emilia calls from outside the door. In delirium, Othello confused her cries with his wife’s and concludes that Desdemona is not yet dead. Thinking himself to be merciful; and not wanting his wife linger in pain, he smoothers her again. 

Later, Othello draws the bed curtains and lets Emilia in. Emilia informs Othello that Cassio has killed Roderigo. Othello asks her if Cassio has also been killed as well. Emilia informs him that Cassio is still alive. As Othello begins to realize that his plans have gone awry. In the mean time Desdemona cries out that she has been murdered. She stays alive long enough to recant this statement. She tells Emilia that she was not murdered but killed herself. She dies. Othello triumphantly admits to Emilia that he killed Desdemona. Emilia asks him why she was killed. Othello tells her that Iago opened his eyes to Desdemona’s falsehood. Emilia is unfazed by Othello’s threat that she was best to remain silent. Then, Emilia calls out for help. Montano, Graziano and Iago enter the scene to take stock of the situation. 

As the truth of Iago’s villainy begins to come out through Emilia’s accusations. Hearing all, Othello falls weeping upon the bed that contains the body of his dead wife. Still, Othello clings to his belief in Iago’s truth and Desdemona’s guilt, mentioning the handkerchief and Cassio’s ‘confession’. When Othello mentions the handkerchief, Emilia erupts, and Iago, no longer certain that he can keep his plots hidden, he attempts to silence her with his sword. Graziano stops him and Emilia explains how she found the handkerchief and gave it to Iago. Realizing this Othello runs at Iago but he is disarmed by Montano. In this commotion, Iago is able to stab his wife, Emilia. Emilia falls dead apparently. Emilia’s dying words tells Othello that Desdemona was chaste and loved him. Hearing this, Othello stabs himself and falls across the bed on which where his wife, Desdemona had fallen dead. Thus, Othello meets his tragic end as he was lending his ears for others’ words.

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