Act 5 Scene 2

What reasons does Othello give for having to kill Desdemona?
Othello says that Desdemona 'must die, else she'll betray more men'. Othello believes that he is being noble by killing Desdemona and is doing what is right by other men as they will be protected from her being unfaithful.


What evidence is there to suggest that Shakespeare adhered to racial stereotypes in this scene?
Shakespeare has applied racial stereotypes to Othello in the scene is several ways. Firstly Othello is displaying mixed emotions and irrational behaviour. he keeps kissing despite wanting to kill her suggesting he doesn't know what to do or how he is feeling. He is thinking irrationally as he talks about violence and death as well as romance, 'I will kill thee and love thee after'. He also shows irrational behaviour and a panic when he hears Emilia's voice from outside the door. He says 'if she come in she will sure speak with my wife- my wife, my wife, what wife? I have no wife'. all of this irrational behaviour and emotions was stereotypical of a black man as it was believed that they were weak psychologically.
Emilia also present racial stereotypes when she says 'you the blacker devil'. Black men were perceived to be untrustworthy and evil, Shakespeare tries to portray Othello this way though Emilia. Emilia also refers to Othello as a 'filthy bargain', Emilia makes this rude comment because Desdemona was so pure and 'fair' in comparison to Othello who is black and therefore not seen as good enough for Desdemona. Lastly Othello refers to himself as being a 'slave', this is another racial stereotype that Shakespeare presents as black people were always viewed as lower class citizens.


Othello tells Desdemona that Cassio has confessed to sleeping with her (line 68). What was this 'confession'?
This confession took place in Act 4 scene 1, when Iago manipulated a conversation between himself and Cassio so that they spoke about him sleeping with Bianca. Iago was aware that Othello would over hear this conversation and believed that Cassio was confession to sleeping with Desdemona.


Emilia says "Good gentleman, let me have leave to speak./ 'Tis proper I obey him - but not now!" [5.2.192-193] what does this indicate about Emilia and society? Consider the circumstances the characters are in.
Here Emilia demonstrates she understand that she must have permission from the men in the room to voice her opinion, this is because she lives in a patriarchal society. Sir Thomas Elyot said that 'women should be mild', which suggests Emilia should not be speaking up the way that she should. We also learn that Emilia is prepared to stand up for what is right even if this means disobeying her husband. She wants everyone to understand the truth about Desdemona's death.


List all of the names Emilia calls Othello when she realises what he has done. How does this contrast with how Othello was portrayed at the start of the play?

• blacker devil
• devil
• filthy bargain
• ignorant as dirt
• the moor
• dull moor
• cruel moor

All of these words show the resent that Emilia feels towards Othello. She shows little respect for him and racially abuses him. he has gone from being a 'valiant and noble moor' at the start of the play to being a 'cruel moor. He has lost this reputation.