Key Events

English Lit: AQA A Level Othello, topic 5.2.1

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.

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.

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.

Desdemona kneels to Iago, an image of pathos, childlike venerability and subservience.
He uses base imagery of smell, hell, weeds and reptiles / insects.

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.

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.

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.