5.2.1

Key Events

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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.
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1

Context

1.1

Introduction

1.1.1Specifications
1.2

Background

1.2.1Shakespeare1.2.2Love1.2.3Tragedy1.2.4Historical Context
1.3

Othello

1.3.1Setting1.3.2Social Issues
2

Act One: Summaries & Themes

2.1

Act and Scene Summaries

2.1.1Structure2.1.2The Exam
2.2

Scene One

2.2.1Key Events2.2.2Key Themes2.2.3Key Ideas
2.3

Scene Two

2.3.1Key Events2.3.2Key Themes2.3.3Key Ideas
2.4

Scene Three

2.4.1Key Events2.4.2Key Events 22.4.3Key Themes2.4.4Key Ideas
3

Act Two: Summaries & Themes

3.1

Scene One & Two

3.1.1Scene One: Events3.1.2Key Events 23.1.3Key Ideas: Love & Tragedy3.1.4Scene Two: Events
3.2

Scene Three

3.2.1Key Events3.2.2Key Ideas
4

Act Three: Summaries & Themes

4.1

Key Events

4.1.1Scene One & Two4.1.2Scene Three4.1.3Scene Three: Key Ideas4.1.4Scene Four
5

Act Four

5.1

Scene One

5.1.1Key Events5.1.2Key Ideas
5.2

Scene Two

5.2.1Key Events5.2.2Key Ideas
5.3

Scene Three

5.3.1Key Events5.3.2Key Ideas
6

Act Five

6.1

Scene One

6.1.1Key Events6.1.2Key Ideas
6.2

Scene Two

6.2.1Key Events6.2.2Key Ideas
7

Character Profiles

7.1

Major Characters

7.1.1Othello7.1.2Iago7.1.3Desdemona7.1.4Emilia7.1.5Cassio
7.2

Minor Characters

7.2.1Roderigo & Brabantio7.2.2Other Characters
8

Key Themes

8.1

Love & Tragedy

8.1.1Love8.1.2Love 28.1.3Tragedy8.1.4Tragedy 2
8.2

Other Key Themes

8.2.1Public versus Private8.2.2Appearance & Reality
9

Writing Techniques

9.1

Writing Techniques

9.1.1Structure9.1.2Genre9.1.3Form & Language9.1.4Language & Imagery
10

Critical Debates

10.1

Criticism & Performance

10.1.1Shakespeare's Legacy10.1.2Traditional10.1.3Modern & Contemporary
10.2

Approaches

10.2.1Feminist Approach10.2.2Psychoanalytic Approach10.2.3Marxist Approach
11

Approaching AQA English Literature

11.1

Specification A

11.1.1Specification A11.1.2Love Through the Ages
11.2

Specification B

11.2.1Specification B11.2.2Aspects of Tragedy
12

Issues of Assessment

12.1

The Exams

12.1.1AOs12.1.2Mark Scheme

Practice questions on Key Events

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  1. 1
    What is Act Four Scene Two sometimes known as?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Events of Act Four Scene Two (1)Put in order
  3. 3
    Events of Act Four Scene Two (2)Put in order
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Key Ideas

Key Ideas