6.1.1
Key Events
Tragedy Unfolding
Tragedy Unfolding
This scene begins the climax of the play. Several of the plot-lines which have been laid down earlier on in the text, start to come together and coalesce.
Collisions
Collisions
- We see the final conflict between Roderigo and Cassio, as well as a collision between Emilia and Bianca.
- These collisions, injuries and the stabbing of Roderigo prefigure events in the final scene of the play.
Roderigo’s attack
Roderigo’s attack
- In the darkness, Iago conducts Roderigo’s attack on Cassio, who is returning from Bianca’s house.
- It is Iago’s intention that both men should die to prevent the truth from being revealed.
- Roderigo fails and instead, is wounded by Cassio, who receives a leg injury from Iago before the latter exits.
Cries
Cries
- Othello can hear the fight and assumes Cassio has been killed as planned.
- After Lodovico and Gratiano have heard the cries of the two wounded, Iago re-enters bearing a light and offers to help Cassio, while also taking the opportunity to stab Roderigo.
The proximity of tragedy
The proximity of tragedy
- When Bianca appears, Iago points to her fright and paleness as evidence of her conspiracy in the attack on Cassio.
- Emilia turns up, insults Bianca, and is instructed by Iago to inform Othello and Desdemona of what has happened, though he presumably does not expect Desdemona to still be alive.
- Roderigo’s death and Cassio’s maiming show how close tragedy is now to the central characters of the play.
Iago’s ‘Play’
Iago’s ‘Play’
It is clear that everyone in the play is now a villain, victim, witness or suspect in Iago’s ‘play’.
Iago's luck
Iago's luck
- It has been suggested that Iago starts making mistakes here, or that his run of luck has finished, though he would still be in the clear as long as Roderigo died, and once Othello has become a murderer his accusations will not carry much weight.
Misinterpretations
Misinterpretations
- Again Othello misinterprets the action, mistaking the voice of Roderigo for Cassio.
- His retiring couplet is that of the stereotypical stage villain, and exaggerated in that he is going to strangle her, not spill her blood.
Beauty
Beauty
- Roderigo’s naming of Iago as an ‘inhuman dog’ is the first time Iago has been seen for what he is.
- His envy of Cassio’s ‘daily beauty’ suggest that Cassio has been an equally prime target all along, and that Iago knows what ‘beauty’ is and resents being deprived of it, though he has up to now denied the existence of such an abstract and effeminate concept, along with love, honour and reputation.
Irony
Irony
- It is obviously ironic that Iago should be a light-bearer, and that once again he should offer support for Cassio and concern for his ‘dear friend’ Roderigo.
- He quickly turns appearance (Bianca’s) into evidence, for a situation that is plausible but false.
Chance
Chance
- Bianca pointedly claims to be as honest as Emilia, Iago’s final couplet confirms that tragedy is about to happen.
- Although he has prepared things well, he also recognises the role chance has to play.
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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