# Scene II explained — Othello

> Chapter companion for Othello by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

In the final scene, Othello confronts the truth about Desdemona's innocence and Iago's treachery. Emilia exposes Iago's lies about the handkerchief, leading to her murder by Iago. Othello, realizing his tragic error, delivers a final speech before stabbing himself, dying beside Desdemona. Lodovico orders Iago's torture and Cassio assumes command in Cyprus.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Iago's lies about Desdemona's infidelity are finally exposed, revealing the truth behind the appearance of her guilt.

### Love and Betrayal

Othello's love for Desdemona turns to tragic betrayal, culminating in her murder and his suicide.

### Honor and Reputation

Othello's final speech seeks to preserve his honor, asking to be remembered as one who loved not wisely but too well.

## Character check-ins

### Othello

Delivers final speech, kills himself after realizing Desdemona's innocence.

### Iago

Exposed by Emilia, stabs her, and is captured; refuses to speak further.

### Emilia

Reveals the truth about the handkerchief, is stabbed by Iago, and dies beside Desdemona.

### Desdemona

Already dead; her innocence is confirmed posthumously.

### Michael Cassio

Brought in wounded; learns of Iago's plot and is appointed governor of Cyprus.

### Lodovico

Oversees the resolution, orders Iago's torture, and relates the tragedy to Venice.

## Key lines

> Speak of me as I am; nothing extenuate, Nor set down aught in malice: then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely but too well; Of one not easily jealous, but being wrought Perplex'd in the extreme; of one whose hand, Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away Richer than all his tribe;

Describe me honestly, without exaggeration or malice: a man who loved too deeply, not prone to jealousy but driven to confusion, who destroyed something precious beyond measure.

_Othello's final self-assessment, acknowledging his tragic flaw._

> I kiss'd thee ere I kill'd thee: no way but this; Killing myself, to die upon a kiss.

I kissed you before I killed you, and now I kill myself to die with a kiss.

_Othello's last words before stabbing himself, symbolizing his love and remorse._

> O Spartan dog, More fell than anguish, hunger, or the sea! Look on the tragic loading of this bed; This is thy work: the object poisons sight; Let it be hid.

You savage beast, crueler than pain, starvation, or the ocean! See the tragic scene on this bed; your doing, too horrible to look at; hide it.

_Lodovico condemns Iago for the catastrophe._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/othello_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/othello_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/othello_se/chapters