Shakespeare creates a sense of fear and confusion throughout Act 5 scene 1. This scene occurs at the end of the play after Othello and Iago have decided that it is necessary to kill both Desdemona and Cassio. Iago has also manipulated Roderigo into thinking that he needs to kills Cassio. During this scene a fight between Cassio, Roderigo and Iago takes place.


This scene is set in Cyprus on a street at night. This immediately creates fear as it would be dark which makes the characters on stage seem more vulnerable as they aren't aware of everything that is taking place around them. This is why Iago is able to 'strikes Cassio's legs, and hurries off', without him knowing who it was that wounded him. Therefore it can be said that the dark night also creates confusion as the characters are unsure of what is going on, particularly when they are fighting. The setting is additionally confusing and creates fear because it is set in Cyprus, which is far less orderly then Venice. This makes it easier for a fight to take place.


Iago creates a sense of  fear as the audience can see how evil Iago is. In his aside he says 'whether he kill Cassio, or Cassio him...every way makes my gain'. He shows that he is only thinking about himself and that he has no feelings for the other characters. Creating fear for the audience as we understand that Iago has no remorse and suggests he will do whatever it takes to get what he wants. It also creates fear as we are unsure who will win the fight and whether or not Cassio will be murdered. This scene contains more examples of Iagos duplicitous character. This is evident when he wounds Cassio and then hides. Once Lodovico and Gratiano arrives Iago acts like he is trying to help and like he doesn't know what's happened '[to Cassio] what are you here that cry so grievously'. This is dramatic irony as the audience know that it was Iago that injured Cassio. As the other characters don't realise this, Iago's helpfulness causes confusion as they do not suspect that he had anything to with it.


The other characters on the stage add to the fear and confusion as no one can understand what is going on. This can be implied as the characters speech lengths are very short. For example:
Cassio: O, help
Lodovico: Hark!
Roderigo: O wretched villian!
These short lines show the panic on stage as the characters try to work out what has happened. The short lines also create a fast pace which creates a tense atmosphere for the audience.

Othello and Iago

According to Adrian Lester, how long has Othello been fighting for?
Adrian thinks Othello has been fighting since the age of 7.

According to Adrian Lester, Othello is not born into a 'sense of nobility', like those around him. How does Adrian Lester say this impacts the character?
He believes that Othello is always conscious about the way that he appears to others.

What increases Othello's status in Venice?
Marrying Desdemona increases Othello status in Venice.

Why does Rory Kinnear say Iago is disgruntled with Othello?
Iago is disgruntled because the job he wanted has been given to a younger, posher man: Cassio.

What do Othello and Iago have in common, according to Rory Kinnear?
they have worked together for a very long time and have seen the horrors of war together. Iago is Othello's most trusted soldier.

Around 4.20, Rory Kinnear lists some of the ways Iago aims to bring down Othello and Cassio. What are they?
Iago is going to bring Othello down through subterfuge (deceit), insinuation and through getting people on his side.

Desdemona and Emilia
What differences are there between Desdemona and Emilia?
Emilia is older than Desdemona and has a very different view  of men. Emilia is more active in comparison to Desdemona who is very passive.  Desdemona is also much more naïve then Emilia and she tries to be the perfect wife to Othello. This is evident when Desdemona does not question Othello for striking her or before he murders.

Why do you think Emilia does not mention the handkerchief to Desdemona?
Emilia believes that if she gives Iago the handkerchief this will please him and they will be happier in their relationship. The relationship between Emilia and Iago is described as 'abusive', Emilia hopes their relationship will be more like Othello's and Desdemona's.