Othello Act V
Monday, November 10, 2014
Honors MYP
Quick Write: Mercy and Vengeance
 At the end of the play, Othello stabs Iago, but Iago
teases Othello that he is only wounded, not dead.
In response, Othello says “I am not sorry neither.
I’d have thee live, for in my sense ‘tis happiness to
die” (Shakespeare 5.2.340-341). Do you agree
with Othello’s statement. Is this an act of mercy or
an act of vengeance to Iago? How? Explain your
answer.
Objective, Agenda, & Homework
 Objective: Students will identify key plot events in
Act V of Othello.
 Agenda:
 Quick Write
 Check Act V Homework and Collect Greek Roots
51-55
 Go Over Act V Questions
 Watch Act V Clip
 Homework: Study for the Othello test on
Wednesday.
Act V Questions
1. How would Iago gain from Roderigo's death? Cassio's?
If Roderigo dies, he cannot demand that Iago return the
jewels he supposedly gave to Desdemona. If Cassio is killed, Iago
can remain lieutenant, and Cassio cannot tell the truth about Iago
to Othello.
2. What happened when Cassio and Roderigo fought?
Roderigo ambushed Cassio outside Bianca’s house and
stabbed at him. However, the blade did not pierce Cassio’s armor,
so Cassio stabbed and wounded Roderigo. Iago then came from
behind and stabbed Cassio in the leg.
3. What did Iago do after he wounded Cassio?
After wounding Cassio, Iago left. He returned with a light and
“discovered” Cassio after Lodovico and Graziano entered the
scene, heard the men's’ cries, and didn’t know what to do. Iago
then killed Roderigo and blamed the whole situation on Bianca.
Act V Questions (Continued)
4. How was Desdemona faithful to Othello to the end?
Desdemona told Emilia that Othello did not kill her, rather she
killed herself.
5. What was Emilia's reaction when Othello told her that Iago had
revealed Desdemona's affair with Cassio to him?
Emilia called for help. She told all the details she knew about
Iago’s villainy, including the story of the handkerchief. When Iago
stabbed her, she told Othello that Desdemona was chaste and
loved him.
6. Who told the truth about Iago?
Emilia told the truth about Iago.
7. What happened to Othello, Iago and Cassio in the end?
Othello killed himself with a dagger and died upon a kiss from
Desdemona. Iago was taken away to be tortured and killed. Cassio
was named governor of Cyprus.
Act V Film
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWW3ryV5Jeg
 Does the film portray Act V as you pictured it?
 What similarities does the film have to the play?
 What differences does the film have compared to
the play?
 Is there any key information that you feel was left
out?