Questions: Act 5 Scene 2 lines 1-233

"Good gentleman, let me have leave to speak./ 'Tis proper I obey him - but not now!" Emilia [5.2.192-193]

Questions: Act 5 scene 2 lines 1-233

Answer in full sentences, with quotations. Type your responses and post to your blog.

1.What reasons does Othello give for having to kill Desdemona?

One of Othello's reasons for killing Desdemona is that he did not want other men to go through the same emotional turmoil as him. Whilst Othello is watching Desdemona sleep he says 'Yet she must die, else she'll betray more men.'

Othello believes that Desdemona must die because it counts as doing the right thing 'I will kill thee and love thee after.' This is more of a moral battle for Othello. He feels as iaf this is the right thing to do, rather than what he wants to do. He is trying to be valiant and the words are put across to give the impression that he is really just trying to do the right thing by everybody else, rather than himself. 


2.What evidence is there to suggest that Shakespeare adhered to racial stereotypes in this scene? Consider:

• irrational behaviour
• emotions
• danger
• the 'mystical negro' stereotype
• representations of the 'other'

Othello believes that it is right for him to kill her. This contributes to the racial stereotype that black people are irrational as he isn't thinking clearly about the situation, 'yet she must die, else she'll betray more men.' This is irrational because he has based this whole situation on rumours that he has heard from Iago, but not actually looking for the truth or something factual. He also cannot control his emotions as he suddenly switches from being calm to being angered at Desdemona. 'Out, strumpet! Weep'st thou for him to my face?' Othello automatically assumes that Desdemona is crying for Cassio in front of his face, when she is really just crying because one of her friends has died. There is the element of danger within the scene as Othello strangles his wife, who has actually been innocent throughout the whole play- this promotes the stereotype that black people are dangerous.

3.Othello tells Desdemona that Cassio has confessed to sleeping with her (line 68). What was this 'confession' The confession was that Cassio had the hankerchief, which in Othello's eyes meant that Desdemona had given Othello's token of love to another man, therefore meaning that she cheated on him.

4.Emilia says "Good gentleman, let me have leave to speak./ 'Tis proper I obey him - but not now!" [5.2.192-193] what does this indicate about Emilia and society? Consider the circumstances the characters are in.
The society indicated at this point in the play is one within a Patriarchal society. this is supported by the fact that Emilia is apologetic for her behaviour, ''Tis proper I obey him, but not now.' This shows that Emilia should be obedient to her husband- because that was the polite and proper of a woman in a Patriarchal society. Emilia however defies that in this moment because she puts across to the other characters that this time, she has to speak and not obey her husband's orders.

5. How is Emilia presented in lines 125-233. Consider the language she uses, how she behaves and what she says to Othello and Iago.

Emilia is presented as a character who is enraged by what Othello has done- she is unapologetic in her behaviour and doesn't hold back in what she has to say to Othello and what she really thinks of him 'Thou dost belie her, and thou art a devil.' This presents her as a strong character who doesn't feel the need to follow the patriarchal rules put there by society. She also say that Iago, who is her own husband, should 'Rot half a grain a day!' This shows a strength of character within her and that she stands up for what she believes in despite who she's up against.

6. List all of the names Emilia calls Othello when she realises what he has done. How does this contrast with how Othello was portrayed at the start of the play?

• 'the blacker devil' (131)
• devil' (133)
• 'gull' 'dolt' (164)
• 'dull moor' (225)
•  'murderous coxcomb' (234)

At the beginning of the play, Othello was portrayed as a noble character and a well respected one. Although he was called a 'Moor' the adjective used to describe him was 'valiant'. whereas in Act 5 'dull' is used. This is a representation of his decline as the Tragic Hero because his downfall is prominent in this scene as Emilia's lack of respect is shown in a way that is far from subtle.