The main male characters in Shakespeare’s play Othello kill their wives in order to defend their own honor. The story of a Moorish general (Othello) and the soldier (Iago) who plots to usurp him, the play features a small cast of characters who are manipulated and pitted against each other as part of Iago's deceitful plan. Othello is set in Venice. Why does Roderigo consent to think about it? Othello and Cassio demand to know why he did it, but Iago refuses to explain and says he will never speak again. The one man who survived Iago's attempt to kill him, Cassio, is the only major character left standing at the end of the play. Reason #11: Jealousy. Why does the misogynistic lore insist that things are the other way around? Later in the play, Othello himself uses similar language to describe the effect Desdemona has on him. Although literal poison did not kill Othello and Desdemona, they were killed by Iago’s poisonous tongue, so here poison did kill the couple. Reason #11: Jealousy The handkerchief was also a significant part of why Othello killed himself and Iago was the character that planted the handkerchief of death. Othello, the Moor was a brave soldier, but his mind was rather simple as he could not suspect a person like Iago who knew well how to poison one’s mind gradually by way of presenting himself as a confidant. ** Homework Questions ** 117: What does Victor mean by “Now all was blasted” (117)? The story revolves around its two central characters: Othello, a Moorish general in the Venetian army, and his treacherous ensign, Iago. At the climax of the play, it is Iago’s wife, Emilia who exposes him. It Chapter Two: The Reasoning Behind a Major Character's Heartbreaking Decision. 119-20: How does Elizabeth’s view of the world change after Justine’s death? Iago has Roderigo poised and ready to pounce on Cassio, and kill him; if either of them is killed, it is to Iago's benefit, although he would like to have both of them disposed of, so that his devices might not be discovered.Roderigo and Cassio fight, and both are injured; Othello hears the scuffle, is pleased, and then leaves to finish off Desdemona. Othello Act III August 13, 2019. Previous Post That is six out of thirteen. He realized he was wrong. However perhaps later on he does manage to turn, or partially turn some of the others, for after his speech and suicide Cassio says “for he was great at heart.” Also in the final speech it does seem to a be an attempt to cheer himself up, in that he is trying to regain his view of himself, his view of an honest and honourable man. Cassio will now be in charge, and Iago will be tortured by Cassio for the rest of his life. Loss of a beloved one made five characters kill themselves. Why does Othello kill himself? ‘Othello’ is known to be one of Shakespeare’s more tragic plays, as it follows the tale of Othello, an army general, and his rise to power and eventual demise and downfall. The fear of defeat and loss was the reason behind the suicide of 6 characters. What will be the future for Iago and Cassio? He does murder Roderigo, after egging him on to kill Cassio. In Act 3 Scene 3, when Othello talks about the handkerchief he gave to Desdemona, he says a ‘charmer’ gave it to his mother and ‘she told her, while she kept it / … Two of the key characters are Cassio, Othello's loyal captain, and Roderigo, a man who is love with Othello's wife, Desdemona. Before Othello begins, Roderigo has been pursuing Desdemona, a Venetian noblewoman. The handkerchief was also a significant part of why Othello killed himself and Iago was the character that planted the handkerchief of death. "Othello does not kill Desdemona in jealousy, but in a conviction forced upon him by the almost superhuman art of Iago, such as any man must and would have entertained who had believed lago's honesty as Othello did. Iago: Why does Iago tell Rodriego to kill Cassio? In the period setting of the play, to show honor, women are expected to be subservient to their husbands. Summary. How do Roderigo’s pockets conveniently help to clarify much of what has happened? "— Why does he kill himself? Iago takes out his sword and kills her. Othello Characters July 24, 2019. "I am not what I am" Iago "Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: She has deceived her father and may thee." If one lets mere gossip get the better of him, it is only the misery that will follow that can he be sure of. Othello is also the one that kills himself when he realizes how naive and jealous he was. 5.2.Othello comes to kill Desdemona. Necessity forces his hand, and, in order to destroy Othello, he must also destroy Roderigo, Emilia, Desdemona, and ultimately himself. Shortly after murdering Desdemona, Othello learns that his suspicions of her (for being adulterous with Casio) were unfounded, and that the whole plot to make him jealous was engineered by Iago. Iago manipulates Othello into believing his wife Desdemona is unfaithful, stirring Othello's jealousy. September 12, 2019 by Kelsey Garcia. He says he will now drown himself because he is distraught. July 5, 2019. Does he kill himself because he doesn't want to live without Desdemona?, He wants to punish himself for killing Desdemona?, or because he doesn't want to get punished for murder by officials? Act V, scene i: Cyprus. The feeling of guilt made only one character kill itself. It is heartbreaking to watch him kissing her “O balmy breath, that dost almost persuade justice to break her sword!” because we the audience know that all of this suffering is in vain. Why does she suppose that women's infidelities are revenge for men's? How does this compare to the “blasted stump” image on page 70? The characters Iago and Othello reflect this attitude toward their respective wives, giving them reason to feel just… After Iago’s lies are seen Othello kills himself with a concealed weapon this is ironic because he had said he would only endure death if had proof regarding Desdemona’s infidelity. Othello, watching his world unravel, asks the men to remember him clearly, his good points and his bad, as "one that lov'd not wisely, but too well." Iago laughs at him and says: “Ere I would say I would drown myself for the love of a guinea hen, I would change my humanity with a baboon.” (1.3.310-311) In other words, if he were to kill himself over a woman’s love, he would be no more a man but an ape. Iago kills himself so that in the end he atones and takes punishment for what he has done: Othello Flashcards. Iago hates Othello, although he pretends to be his loyal subordinate. Secondly, how does Othello kill himself? Then he stabs himself, falls onto the bed, and dies. because his pockets have letters explaining the plan on it. 118: Why does Victor want to kill himself? In his final note, he pulls out a hidden weapon and stabs himself, the same … However, the name 'Iago' is synonymous Somehow, Othello has another sword in the room and when Iago is captured and brought forth, Othello wounds him. Why does Iago kill his wife? Othello:. Why does Othello kill himself? Answer and Explanation: No, Iago does not die in Othello, making him one of the few Shakespearean villains to escape the play with his life. Read our Othello character summaries; More detail: 3 minute read Act I. Answer: As a matter of morals, Othello's suicide strikes us as being wrong since "the Everlasting has fixed His canon against self-slaughter": "Thou shalt not kill." Examination Questions on Othello Question: How does Othello's suicide affect us as a matter of morals, and as to the dramatic necessities of the play? "I bleed, sir, but not kill'd" (V.ii.288). Thanks! Cite this essay. Othello August 7, 2019. Because hes sad and misses Desdemona and thinks he has no reason to live now. Why doesn’t he do it? 121: What does Othello (The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice) is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603.It is based on the story Un Capitano Moro ("A Moorish Captain") by Cinthio (a disciple of Boccaccio's), first published in 1565. Othello allows jealousy to consume him, murders Desdemona, and then kills himself. Rather than be returned to Venice as a prisoner, he asks for a moment to speak. He sure does. Othello from Othello by William Shakespeare. "Judean" is an alternative reading for "Indian," in which case Othello would be comparing himself to Herod the great, who, in a fit of jealousy, had his beloved wife killed. Othello declares himself "one who loved not wisely, but too well," and then sums up the bulk of the play—how he didn't get jealous quickly, but once tricked he was driven to madness. Finally, Othello in ‘Othello’ killed himself with a dagger, stabbed himself, because he felt guilty. Othello was overcome with emotions and ended up killing himself due to guilt. The story Othello tells about himself (to himself and to the audience) is crucial because only that which is verbalized becomes real, a fact Iago deploys to make chaos. Iago is caught and brought back. This also means it has been incorporated into the Dramatica Story Expert application itself as an easily referenced contextual example. After Othello has strangled Desdemona and the Venetian councilors are trying to understand what has happened Emilia accuses Iago. The following analysis reveals a comprehensive look at the Storyform for Othello.Unlike most of the analysis found here—which simply lists the unique individual story appreciations—this in-depth study details the actual encoding for each structural item. What about her argument in 84-91? As he approaches why does he use the rhetoric of Petrarchan praise of the beloved--"snow" "alabaster" (4-5, 11, 13)? How correctly does Othello identify his weakness in Scene 2? Why does Othello kill himself? When the time comes to kill Desdemona, Othello almost changes his mind. How does Iago poison Othello's mind in Act 3 Othello is a character whom from the start, we do not see any flaws within, or within Desdemona's and his marriage. This is a great lesson to all about the power of mistrust and deception. Othello compares himself to the "base Indian," someone in a now unknown tale who threw away a pearl because he was ignorant of its true worth. Why Does Stanley Kill Himself in It Chapter Two? A street. Othello admits that jealousy is his weakness, but his real weakness is that he is too honost/trusting: To whom does Desdemona turn for help after Othello calls her a strumpet? Iago knows he will probably be executed for his role in Desdemona and Othello's deaths, but he is genuinely satisfied with himself, having seen his plan through to completion. It follows Iago as he plots the downfall of his commanding officer, Othello. He tells her to be quiet and go home but she becomes even more vociferous. You Might Also Like. 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