5.2.1
Key Events
The ‘Brothel Scene’
The ‘Brothel Scene’
Known sometimes as the ‘brothel scene’, this episode is an example of how evidence can only confirm a suspicion, not dislodge it.
Interrogation
Interrogation
- Othello interrogates Emilia about Desdemona’s alleged meetings with Cassio.
- She denies them but Othello does not believe her at all.
- Desdemona swears her innocence to Othello, but again he does not believe her.
Desdemona's distress
Desdemona's distress
- Othello insults Emilia and Desdemona by giving her money as he leaves.
- She asks Emilia to put her wedding sheets on the bed and weeps in front of Iago about losing her lord.
- Meanwhile, Roderigo and Iago discuss their arrangement.
Jewellery
Jewellery
- Roderigo demands the return of his jewellery, which Iago pretended to have given to Desdemona, and states his intention to stop his ‘unlawful solicitation’ of her.
- In return, Iago promises Roderigo that he will enjoy Desdemona the following night (when he knows she will be dead) if he kills Cassio.
Self-pity
Self-pity
- Desdemona kneels to Iago, an image of pathos, childlike venerability and subservience.
- He uses base imagery of smell, hell, weeds and reptiles / insects.
Iago as master
Iago as master
- Iago again tries to stop his wife’s mouth, a preview of the final scene.
- Desdemona kneeling to Iago is a grotesque irony and echo.
- It suggests that in fact, Iago has become her master, and although Desdemona may not know it, this is true.
‘Is’t possible?'
‘Is’t possible?'
- There is feasting and entertaining of the Venetians as an ironic public background to the private horror and the tragedy about to occur.
- ‘Is’t possible?' is the question which haunts the play, and to which Iago provides answers on many levels.
Posting
Posting
- Iago, whose prior knowledge is usually accurate, says Othello is being sent to Mauretania in Africa; there would have been no military reason for the Senate to post him there—it having no connection to the Venetian empire—but there is a symbolism in him not being recalled to Venice, but to the imagined original homeland of Moors at that time, and in Desdemona’s not being allowed to return home; perhaps Brabantio’s influence at work, as she herself suggests.
1Context
1.1Introduction
1.3Othello
2Act One: Summaries & Themes
2.1Act and Scene Summaries
2.2Scene One
2.3Scene Two
3Act Two: Summaries & Themes
3.1Scene One & Two
3.2Scene Three
4Act Three: Summaries & Themes
5Act Four
5.1Scene One
5.2Scene Two
5.3Scene Three
6Act Five
6.1Scene One
6.2Scene Two
7Character Profiles
7.1Major Characters
7.2Minor Characters
8Key Themes
8.1Love & Tragedy
8.2Other Key Themes
9Writing Techniques
9.1Writing Techniques
10Critical Debates
10.1Criticism & Performance
11Approaching AQA English Literature
11.1Specification A
11.2Specification B
12Issues of Assessment
12.1The Exams
Jump to other topics
1Context
1.1Introduction
1.3Othello
2Act One: Summaries & Themes
2.1Act and Scene Summaries
2.2Scene One
2.3Scene Two
3Act Two: Summaries & Themes
3.1Scene One & Two
3.2Scene Three
4Act Three: Summaries & Themes
5Act Four
5.1Scene One
5.2Scene Two
5.3Scene Three
6Act Five
6.1Scene One
6.2Scene Two
7Character Profiles
7.1Major Characters
7.2Minor Characters
8Key Themes
8.1Love & Tragedy
8.2Other Key Themes
9Writing Techniques
9.1Writing Techniques
10Critical Debates
10.1Criticism & Performance
11Approaching AQA English Literature
11.1Specification A
11.2Specification B
12Issues of Assessment
12.1The Exams
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