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Othello finds Desdemona in bed asleep. He speaks to himself while she slumbers. He is ready to kill her and he wants to do so without making a mess. He fears that if she lives she will cheat on other men. Othello remarks on how if he puts out her light nothing can relight her. He kisses her a few times knowing that they will be their last kisses.
Desdemona wakes up and finds Othello there. He tells her to pray to heaven for any crimes that she has committed. He wants her to admit her sins and pray for forgiveness before he kills her. She does not understand why he wants to kill her when she is innocent.
Othello accuses her of giving Cassio her handkerchief. Desdemona disputes the charge, but Othello thinks she’s lying. Othello even says that Cassio confessed to having an affair with her. She asks for Cassio so that he can tell the truth. Othello informs her that Cassio was killed by Iago. Desdemona begs for a little while more before he kills her. Unfortunately, Othello is intent on killing her now and he smothers her to near death.
Emilia shouts from outside. Othello speaks to himself and he figures that she’s there to tell him of Cassio’s death. He lets her inside. She informs Othello of Roderigo’s death. Then, Emilia runs to the dying Desdemona. With her final breath Desdemona confesses that she killed herself.
Othello cannot stand for the lie. He tells Emilia that he murdered her for her affair with Cassio. Emilia retorts that Desdemona was innocent. Othello says that Iago is the one who opened his eyes to his wife’s adultery. Emilia responds by saying that her husband should rot for this slander. Emilia starts calling out for help for the murder of Desdemona.
Montano, Gratiano, and Iago enter the room. Emilia immediately calls out Iago for his bad actions. Iago responds by saying that he was vocal about what he believed to be true. Emilia begins to call her husband a liar. He, unsuccessfully, tells her to quiet down.
Gratiano speaks to the dead Desdemona, revealing that her father also died back at home. Brabantio could not stand the marriage between Desdemona and Othello. He died as a result of his concern.
Iago continues to try to get Emilia to quiet down. She continues to call him a liar. She even reveals the fact that she is the one who gave Iago Desdemona’s handkerchief. Upon hearing this news Othello runs at Iago with his sword, but before he can strike him Montano disarms him. Seeing a moment of opportunity, Iago stabs his wife and then he runs away. Emilia dies in the bed next to Desdemona as she sings Desdemona’s “Willow” song.
Nearly everybody leaves in pursuit of Iago. Othello stays in the room and Gratiano stays outside to guard the room. Montano instructs Gratiano to keep Othello inside.
A little while later the men return. Lodovico and Montano have been successful in capturing Iago. They come back with him. He is escorted by officers. They also have brought the injured Cassio along. When Othello sees Iago he immediately injures him with his sword. Iago does not die; yet even with his life on the line, he refuses to utter a word about what has transpired.
Fortunately, Lodovico has found two letters in Roderigo’s pockets. One letter describes the plan to kill Cassio and the other letter complains about Iago’s actions. Othello, next, asks Cassio how he found Desdemona’s handkerchief. Cassius says he found it and his chamber.
With everything being revealed Lodovico informs Othello that his power and command have been taken away from him. Cassio will now rule in Cyprus. Iago will be imprisoned for his actions.
Othello is stunned by all of these revelations. He pulls a dagger out and stabs himself. Before he dies, Othello gives Desdemona one last kiss.
Lodovico instructs Iago to look upon the bed to see what his cruel deeds have done. He tells Cassio to come up with a punishment for Iago. Lastly, he will hop aboard a ship to return to the mainland where he will report all these occurrences with a heavy heart.
OTHELLO -- ACT V, 2
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BROWSE CONTENTS
by William Shakespeare
