Act V brings the tragedy of Othello the Moor to a close. While there is tremendous loss and sorrow, the plot is nicely wrapped up. There is an interesting moment between Othello and Desdemona when Othello asks her to confess her sins. It brought my mind the idea of a person confessing their sins to a priest. Othello ‘s actions represents the horrors of pride and prejudice that can be found in Venetian society. As Othello states in line 65 onwards,
Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin.
For to deny each article with oath
Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception
That I do groan withal. Thou art to die.
At this moment, we understand as readers that Othello will not be stopped nor will he spare Desdemona. His act is that of which is required of him, purely for the sake of his honor. Othello found no love in what he did and is stll in love with Desdemona. If it had been any other story, Othello would have not killed Desdemona. But in this tragedy, characters stay true to their nature.
1) How do you think the Venetian upper class reacted to the events that transpired?
2)What is your take on Othello’s last words on lines 395 onwards? How does he feel about himself?
The Venetian upper- class probably reacted with more anger than shock. Considering what they thought was the “nature” of Othello, his actions justified there opinion of him. The citizens of Venice must have felt anger for allowing someone who is of a different culture, walk into their city and kill one of their own. But ultimately, it was the internal of events that Iago helped orchestrate that shaped and manifested the fears and expectations of the Venetians. After reading Othello’s final words I saw the genius of Shakespeare and his portrayal of a man in the ultimate state of devastation. Othello at that moment is aware of everything that has happened, he is aware of at that moment that everything that he had worked for and ever loved came undone because of his own jealousy and rage that was embedded in him. He realized that he confirmed what the Venetians had felt about him, and that he so easily threw away, a priceless pearl.