Othello: Act 5 revision summary
Last updated: 15/11/2023
Contributor: Frankie Arren Kendal
This detailed revision summary for A-level students includes an overview of events in the final tragic act of Shakespeare's play Othello.
With a focus on Act 5 Scene 1 and Act 5 Scene 2, it also includes a series of key quotations with analysis.
The revision guide is organised into the following areas:
- Plot
- Language
- Structure
- Aspects of tragedy
- Context
Ideal for independent revision, as a guide for students to use when reading the play at home, or as a helpful classroom prompt or summary for students to add their own analysis and notes when reading in KS5 lessons.
Example revision notes from the guide:
Aspects of tragedy
Finality of the tragic downfall
- This scene and its ending show the tragic downfall of Othello, resulting in his literal death and the, somewhat, metaphorical death of his pride.
- Evidenced by ‘a turbaned Turk / Beat a Venetian’ showing how Othello’s corrupted character destroyed the noble character he was in Act 1.
- Could be interpreted as Iago as the 'Turk' who beat Othello as the 'Venetian'.
- Othello’s final speech restores his pride so that he dies a noble man.
Sense of catharsis
- Although Desdemona and Emilia’s deaths feel unjustified, there is a sense of catharsis for the audience.
- Othello dies, meaning order is restored publicly and privately.
- Lodovico, who is highly respected, entirely blames Iago for the downfall, and Cassio, also respected, will decide the villain’s fate.
- Iago has lost his power, and the control is back in the hands of high-status white men.
Idea of anagnorisis?
- Othello’s realisation of his actions and of Desdemona’s innocence could be seen as anagnorisis.
- But Othello still believed he was ‘not easily jealous’, suggesting he does not have self-realisation or personal growth before he dies.
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