‘Othello’: Act Five Plot Activity
Can you number these statements about ‘Othello’ in the order they occur in Act Five?
Number
Lodovico comes to Cassio’s aid and finds him and Roderigo lying on the ground, injured. Iago enters, fains concern for Cassio, then
stabs Roderigo, killing him. Bianca enters and Iago accuses her of conspiring to injure Cassio.
Othello enters and finds Desdemona asleep in bed. In a soliloquy, he agonises over the finality of death, before kissing her as she
sleeps.
Othello explains that it was Iago who revealed her infidelity to him, and Emilia realises that they have been tricked by her husband.
She calls for help, and Montano and Iago enter.
Desdemona briefly revives and calls out and Emilia hears her; she asks her who is responsible for hurting her, but Desdemona refuses
to blame Othello, and dies.
Cassio helps to explain events and Othello, distraught, stabs himself and falls on the bed.
Cassio is taken away for medical help and Roderigo’s body is removed. Emilia enters and joins Iago in blaming Bianca for what has
occurred.
She wakes, and he tells her to confess any crimes she may have committed before he kills her. She tries to reason with him, telling
him she is innocent of any wrongdoing.
Emilia explains Iago’s lies and explains that she stole Desdemona’s handkerchief. Incensed, Othello runs at Iago but Montano disarms
him.
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‘Othello’: Act Five Plot Activity
Number
Othello, realising he has been tricked and Desdemona was innocent, is tormented by his deeds. Lodovico brings in the wounded
Cassio and the captured Iago, who refuses to explain why he has tricked everyone.
He tells her Cassio has been killed and she begs for her life. Ignoring her pleas, he smothers her.
Lodovico promises to return to Venice and relate matters to the Duke.
Othello admits that he killed her because she was unfaithful. Emilia berates him, defending Desdemona and saying he has committed
a terrible crime.
Iago, in the confusion, stabs Emilia and then escapes. She crawls onto the bed and dies beside Desdemona.
Emilia, outside the room, starts hammering on the door to tell Othello of the attacks on Roderigo and Cassio. Othello lets her in.
Iago tells Roderigo where to lie in wait for Cassio so that he can attack him. Cassio emerges and they fight. Cassio wounds Roderigo;
Iago comes out of hiding and surreptitiously stabs Cassio in the leg. Othello enters, sees Cassio wounded, and praises Iago before
exiting.
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‘Othello’: Act Five Plot Activity Answers
Number
Lodovico comes to Cassio’s aid and finds him and Roderigo lying on the ground, injured. Iago enters, fains concern for Cassio, then
2
stabs Roderigo, killing him. Bianca enters and Iago accuses her of conspiring to injure Cassio.
Othello enters and finds Desdemona asleep in bed. In a soliloquy, he agonises over the finality of death, before kissing her as she
4
sleeps.
Othello explains that it was Iago who revealed her infidelity to him, and Emilia realises that they have been tricked by her husband.
10
She calls for help, and Montano and Iago enter.
Desdemona briefly revives and calls out and Emilia hears her; she asks her who is responsible for hurting her, but Desdemona refuses
8
to blame Othello, and dies.
14 Cassio helps to explain events and Othello, distraught, stabs himself and falls on the bed.
Cassio is taken away for medical help and Roderigo’s body is removed. Emilia enters and joins Iago in blaming Bianca for what has
3
occurred.
She wakes, and he tells her to confess any crimes she may have committed before he kills her. She tries to reason with him, telling
5
him she is innocent of any wrongdoing.
Emilia explains Iago’s lies and explains that she stole Desdemona’s handkerchief. Incensed, Othello runs at Iago but Montano disarms
11
him.
Page 1 of 2
‘Othello’: Act Five Plot Activity Answers
Number
Othello, realising he has been tricked and Desdemona was innocent, is tormented by his deeds. Lodovico brings in the wounded
13
Cassio and the captured Iago, who refuses to explain why he has tricked everyone.
6 He tells her Cassio has been killed and she begs for her life. Ignoring her pleas, he smothers her.
15 Lodovico promises to return to Venice and relate matters to the Duke.
Othello admits that he killed her because she was unfaithful. Emilia berates him, defending Desdemona and saying he has committed
9
a terrible crime.
12 Iago, in the confusion, stabs Emilia and then escapes. She crawls onto the bed and dies beside Desdemona.
7 Emilia, outside the room, starts hammering on the door to tell Othello of the attacks on Roderigo and Cassio. Othello lets her in.
Iago tells Roderigo where to lie in wait for Cassio so that he can attack him. Cassio emerges and they fight. Cassio wounds Roderigo;
1 Iago comes out of hiding and surreptitiously stabs Cassio in the leg. Othello enters, sees Cassio wounded, and praises Iago before
exiting.
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