Othello Act 1 Scene 5 Essay

English exam correction

1)

The scene starts of with Cassios pleading to Desdemona that she would talk to Othello about reinstating Cassio in his old position. Promptly Desdemona vowes to do so, however right in that moment Iago and Othello enter.

As Cassio quickly departs, because it is too much of a balamage for him to be seen begging for his old position to the wife of the commander od the army, Othello only gets a short glims at Cassio and asks Iago if that was what he had seen, Cassio leaving the room. Responding to Othello’s question Iago says that Cassio would never behave like a guilty man at Othello’s approach.

In the meantime Desdemona tries to talk Othello in to reinstating Cassio, as she promissed earlier to Cassio, however Othello seems to be busy with something else. Allthough he

says that he would talk to Cassio soon he does not give her concrete information about when he will do it and asks to be left allone. As soon as Desdemona leaves the room Iago begins his insinuations of an affair between Cassio and Desdemona. At first Othello doesn’t believe Iago’s accusations and vowels on Desdemona’s honesty and purity, however Iago plants more and more thoughts of adultery and hypocrisy in Othello’s mind until his mind is fed up with thoughts of Desdemona and Cassio having relations. Enraged Othello starts to get more and more convinced of the thought that Cassio is laying with his wife and Iago starts to retreat from his accusations, nevertheless Othello has made up his mind he believes it’s his age and clolour of his skin that made her turn to Cassio.

In the mean time Desdemona and Emilia enter to inform Othello that dinner is about to be served and that he will be expected, however enraged as Othello is he refuses to eat by claiming he has a pain in his forehead. As Desdemona tries to help her husband by trying to cool his head with her handkerchief, unknowing of her husband’s inner rage, Othellp pushes her and the handkerchief away claiming that it is too small. During the course of action the handkerchief drops to the floor and remains there as Desdemona and Othello exit. Seasing the opportunity Emilia stays to pick up the handkerchief and remarks that her husband had told her to get a hold of it, yet she does not know why.

As soon as Iago holds the handkerchief in his hand he plans to move quickly to fullfil his plan by planting the handkerchief in Cassio’s bedroom, however Othello enters and complains to Iago about his sufferings.

Othello is in need of evidence so he can be assured wether to trust Cassio and Desdemona or not, nevertheless Iago points out that it would be impossible to actually see Desdemona laying with Cassio, however Iago states that he would be able to give Othello circumstantial evidence. As soon as Othello agrees to Iago’s suggestion, Iago goes on by telling Othello that he once shared a bed with Cassio and that Cassio would talk in his sleep. Ultimately Iago claims that Cassio had said lustfull words about Desdemona in his sleep and taht Cassio treid to kiss him several times thinking Iago was Desdemona. This enrages Othello and he cries out for blood. Iago continues by claiming he saw Cassio whipe his beard once with the handkerchief Othello gave to Desdemona. This is proof enough for Othello’s rage to take full control of his body and leave common sense behind, he wants vengeance and orders Iago to kill Cassio for him while Othello himself will take care of

Desdemona.