Chaos penetrates the developed European organization (Venice) as well as the feelings and actions of insiders and outsiders. They meet Iago who pretends to be horrified at Cassio’s injury ‘What villains have done this?’ Iago secretly finds the injured Roderigo and kills him. Othello looks at Iago's feet at the end of the play. Iago's refusal to speak at the end of the play once again illustrates his power as a mastermind, with everything he does having an important reason. Asked by Anonymous on 13th December, 2009 about Othello Study Guide. Othello then begs to know why Iago did what he did, but Iago refuses to speak at all. Iago, the ensign to the African general Othello in the William Shakespeare play "Othello," is out for revenge, and he has good reason. In a vain attempt to prevent his scheme from being revealed, Iago stabs and kills Emilia, and is then taken prisoner while Othello, lamenting the loss of his wife, kills himself next to her. We know that by the play's end Othello has transformed from a noble general and loving husband into a jealous, irrational killer. Why? Her love for Othello is stronger than her love for her father. Iago stands for many passions, but is also an instrument of chaos. Iago is deemed by many as one of the most villainous character in Shakespearean plays. The storm is also a great example of Shakespeare's deft use of language. and find homework help for other Othello questions at eNotes The storm marks the end of the peaceful part of the play, a signal that Iago's mischief is about to begin. Act 1 Scene 1 The play opens as Iago is telling Roderigo that he hates Othello because Othello has promoted Cassio to be his lieutenant instead of him, even though Cassio ‘never set a squadron in the field’ and has much less experience. For this slave, If there be any cunning cruelty That can torment him much and hold him long, It shall be his. OTHELLO Jealousy, Passion, Misplaced Trust The themes of jealously, passion, and misplaced trust permeate Shakespeare's towering tragedy, Othello.. (V, ii, 272), the handkerchief that Othello gave to Desdemona: ?that handkerchief?I found by fortune, and did give me husband? The play is set in motion when Othello, a heroic black general in the service of Venice, appoints Cassio and not Iago as his chief lieutenant. The play ends with Cassio reinstated and placed in command as Governor of Cyprus. When Iago says to "Demand me nothing...From this time forth I never will speak word," Gratiano replys forebodingly that "Torments will ope your lips." Iago insinuates that she was to blame for the attack. The image is reversed later in the play, when Emilia comments that men 'are all but stomachs, and we all but food' (3.4.93). Share a link to this question via Google+, Twitter, or Facebook. His motives for his actions were unclear, although it may have stemmed from his anger at Othello for passing him over as lieutenant or his suspicion that his wife may have committed adultery with Othello. Othello doesn’t end well. Therefore, he uses that trust to manipulate every character in the play for his sake of revenge. His reasons for his horrific acts are not fully explained such as his suspicion of Othello and Cassio sleeping with Emilia, his racial hate for Othello and even the aspect of Iago possibly having homosexual desires for Othello. who is't that cried?" Thus we could surmise that Shakespeare's message in this respect is that justice is not always served. Jealous of Othello’s success and envious of Cassio, Iago plots Othello’s downfall by falsely implicating Othello’s wife, Desdemona, and Cassio in a love affair. Though Iago is arrested at the end of the play, what crimes can he be charged with, and what can he legally be found guilty of? Source(s): LODOVICO You must forsake this room, and go with us: Your power and your command is taken off, And Cassio rules in Cyprus. Source(s): LODOVICO You must forsake this room, and go with us: Your power and your command is taken off, And Cassio rules in Cyprus. You shall close prisoner rest, Till that the nature of your fault be known To the Venetian state. The play ends with a depressed Ludovico saying that he hopes that Cassio will punish Iago, and that he'll relate the whole story of the seedy … The play begins with a quarrel of sorts between Iago and Roderigo, and, as such, it serves several functions. Sign up now, Latest answer posted December 30, 2019 at 9:30:34 AM, Latest answer posted February 06, 2020 at 11:53:31 AM, Latest answer posted July 21, 2012 at 1:18:42 AM, Latest answer posted December 27, 2015 at 4:53:53 PM, Latest answer posted August 14, 2012 at 2:09:35 AM. Lodovico, however, has found two letters in Roderigo 's pocket that reveal all of Iago's schemes. After Othello commits suicide and falls on the bed beside his dead wife, Desdemona, Lodovico tells Iago to look upon the consequences of his evil acts. Meanwhile, Othello can't believe that he just killed his innocent wife. By the end of the play, he has realized that Iago is responsible for Desdemona's death, and he helps Othello understand Iago's treachery. Storms are always of great significance in Shakespeare; here, the storm is a symbol of unrest and the discord to come. The line “News, lads! Othello by William Shakespeare Choose the correct answer: he is killed by Othello he kills himself he escapes he is taken into custody skip question » Ask a friend What happens to Iago in the end? How does othello end? Towards the end of the scene in which Roderigo was supposed to kill Cassio, but only wounds him, and is himself killed by Iago, Bianca enters, asking "What is the matter, ho? To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. Othello, facing the inevitability of his own trial, uses a hidden weapon to commit suicide. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. (Othello makes a speech about how he would like to be remembered, then kills himself with a sword he had hidden on his person. Already a member? (5.1.74). The storm is also a great example of Shakespeare's deft use of language. Iago scoffs at this, and says that Othello is just upset by affairs of state. His last words are ‘O damned Iago! Iago says he'd rather not say, and then Othello presses him, and then Iago says he'd rather not say, and Othello presses. Its tone easily catches our interest, and it reveals Iago's wily nature; he must make amends to Roderigo for failing to arouse Desdemona's interest in him. He warns Othello against the dangers of "the green-eyed monster" (3.3.165-7) of jealousy, while at the same time noting that Desdemona did successfully deceive her father. Iago is also seen to be a funny character. Now he lies with Desdemona and Emilia, the completion of the play's series of tragic deaths. At the end of the play, Cassio is injured but redeemed. Topic: “Iago is the real hero of Shakespeare’s play Othello.”Discuss. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. Misrepresentation is a theme which misleads many characters, and allows Iago, and Othello to some extent, to appear as other than what they are. Start your 48-hour free trial and unlock all the summaries, Q&A, and analyses you need to get better grades now. Choose the correct answer: she is sent back to Venice she is forced to stay with Iago in Cyprus she resolves to leave Iago completely Iago kills her skip question » … However, the less experienced Michael Cassio was given the position instead, largely fo… Finally, Iago counsels Othello to trust only what he sees, not Iago's suspicions. That he is alive at the end of the play may well mean that the balance between crime and punishment should not be expected as a matter of course. Othello is a tale of jealousy and ambition, love and passion, deception and manipulation. Cassio declines, but Iago wheedles and urges him, until Cassio finally relents. Othello Activity Question 8 Continued 1. Upon discovering the handkerchief in the following scene, Cassio … Iago sees an opportunity to divert attention from himself by casting suspicion on … Othello goes to the Duke because he has been summoned. The characters that comment on the storm are mariners, alluding to Ursa Minor and stars used for navigation; this is a testament to Shakespeare's ability to craft credible dialogue for a great diversity and range of characters. She demonstrates her strength and honesty by exposing her husband and challenging Othello for his behavior. In the opening scene of the play Iago discusses his hatred of Othello with Roderigo, a young man Iago is taking advantage of (and money from) who wants Desdemona for himself. Starts in the middle of an argument between Roderigo and Iago The characters that comment on the storm are mariners, alluding to Ursa Minor and stars used for navigation; this is a testament to Shakespeare's ability to craft credible dialogue for a great diversity and range of characters. Othello stabs Iago when he is brought back in; Othello then tells all present to remember him how he is, and kills himself. Some measure of justice is achieved, as Iago is arrested and Lodovico says to "enforce" the "censure of this hellish villain," including "torture." Iago decides to convince Othello that Desdemona's cheating on him. Iago's food imagery contains sexual innuendo: 'Blest fig's end!' Othello immediately stabs Iago, who is injured but not killed. That includes having an affair, which Iago makes Othello believe is a normal part of the culture in Venice. He is jealous of Cassio for stealing his position. We also know that after Othello learns the truth (that he killed the ever-faithful Desdemona for no good reason), he decides to end his own life. The play extinguishes the external threat with almost ridiculous speed. The title warrior ruled armies but not his own heart in this tale set in Renaissance Venice - yet belonging to the ages. The audience believes that he will be punished, but it's left open for the audience to wonder whether he will get away with his evil plans by concocting another deception or violent act. But Iago's salacious language is just that – words. Analysis As a result of Iago’s theatrics, the passage becomes hard to paraphrase completely while the gist of it is still present. 1.2 Iago warns Othello that Desdemona's father is coming. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. Iago's fate based on the final dialogue of William Shakespeare's "Othello" was torture and execution, which were to be enforced by Montano. and entrusts him with punishing Iago. Moreover, it would be totally alien to Iago's nature to take his own life, as it would be inconsistent with the civilized Venetian society, at this point represented by Gratiano, to have him killed without due process. You shall close prisoner rest, Till that the nature of your fault be known To the Venetian state. Log in here. Iago is unpunished at the end of the play. We know that by the play's end Othello has transformed from a noble general and loving husband into a jealous, irrational killer. "My husband he arrives, i do not know why, he seems angry, did i do something to make him Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. / The time, the place, the torture O enforce it!" 20). 1.3 After the Duke approves the marriage, Roderigo wants to give up and drown himself. We may view Iago as the puppeteer that has been pulling the strings of the ill-fated characters in Othello. Report This +1. Report This +1-4-1. It certainly would have tied things up more neatly if Iago had indeed met his demise at the end of Othello. Throughout the play Iago uses many different techniques and methods to win character’s over, get them thinking about things they would not have otherwise and generally fool them. Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. Is justice possible? Othello is disarmed by Lodovico's men. The ending symbolizes the culmination of … He explains that he was an experienced soldier and had served under Othello for many years, and thus was expecting to be promoted to the position of Othello's lieutenant. His hatred voices the beginning of the play, and is reiterated at regular intervals until the final scene, where he refuses to speak. Necessity forces his hand, and, in order to destroy Othello, he must also destroy Roderigo, Emilia, Desdemona, and ultimately himself. Notably, Iago is left wounded but alive at the end of the play. Iago's plan appears to succeed when Othello kills Desdemona, who is innocent of Iago's charges. If you are at all familiar with Shakespeare’s tragedies, you know as much. In the end, Iago is arrested and one assumes that he is brought to trial or whatever punishment would have been fitting at the time for his crimes. Choose the correct answer: she is sent back to Venice she is forced to stay with Iago in Cyprus she resolves to leave Iago completely Iago kills her which character is alive at the end of the play? Iago can be assumed to be a mastermind of most the troubles that Othello will have to face. Very cleverly, he has schemed this into his plans to make the people question what has truly occurred. By making it clear that he will be tortured, he may have meant for the audience to perceive that Iago's fate would be worse than death. As the new leader, he is given the responsibility of dealing with Othello's fate: "To you Lord Governor, / Remains the censure of this hellish villain. What happens to Othello, Iago and Cassio in the end? Our wars are done,” is all that is needed to dismiss the plot involving the Turks (II.i. Iago sees an opportunity to divert attention from himself by casting suspicion on … Over time, Iago’s manipulation and lies cause Othello to kill Desdemona in an effort to keep her from doing the things that Iago has been telling him she has been doing. At the end of Othello by Shakespeare Othello kills himself, Cassio inherits everything of Othello's and is left to decide Iago's punishment. It is evident, therefore, that Othello’s faults and virtues, all that makes him human, played a large part in the demise of Desdemona and himself yet without Iago, there would have been no tragedy to speak of. Iago also was the mechanism that transformed Othello’s values of honour and justice into vengefulness and a rather obsessive hunger for morality in his world. Chaos penetrates the developed European organization (Venice) as well as the feelings and actions of insiders and outsiders. Othello demands to know who started the fight, and feigning reluctance, Iago names Cassio. Iago forces the people to draw their own conclusions stating that they already know what happened. ©2020 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Are you a teacher? Othello claims not to be jealous; though it is obvious from his manner that this is untrue. We also know that after Othello learns the truth (that he killed the ever-faithful Desdemona for no good reason), he decides to end his own life. Cassio ends the play in a position of significant authority and responsibility: Ludovico commands that “Cassio rules in Cyprus” (5.2.) For what reason does Desdemona defy her father at the beginning of the play? Top subjects are Literature, Social Sciences, and History. Iago misrepresents himself throughout the play as honest, faithful, good-hearted, and here, as both foolish and jocular. (5.1.74). O inhuman dog!’ Bianca enters and is distraught at Cassio’s injuries. At the end of the play, he finally sees this clearly and, with this realization, he kills himself. At the end of Act II, Scene 1, he reiterates the real motivation behind his plots against Othello: I do suspect the lusty Moor Hath leap'd into my seat: the thought whereof who is't that cried?" What happens to Emilia at the end of OTHELLO? Iago forces the people to draw their own conclusions stating that they already know what happened. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The two men stand outside Brabantio's house and shout to wake him up. In the end, Roderigo is stabbed his only "friend," Iago, who does not want him to reveal his secret plot. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. His name is cleared by Emilia and as Othello is stripped of his duties, we are told that Cassio now rules in Cyprus. From the beginning to till the end, he is a controller of other characters and his sole motive was to take revenge on Othello and Cassio. Iago is taken into custody, and his crimes will be judged back in Venice. However, the world that Shakespeare depicts in this play is far from perfect. 2 answers. Get an answer for 'How does Iago control what happens in the play Othello? ' At the end, it can be assumed, Iago is taken off to be tortured and possibly executed. Iago, the ensign to the African general Othello in the William Shakespeare play "Othello," is out for revenge, and he has good reason. While the play does not provide a rough-and-ready answer to your question, it does allow for speculation. 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