The fight between Cassio and Roderigo is a "no lose situation" for Iago because Iago had it planned so that even if the two men didn't kill each other he would be there to finish the job. Tying up any loose ends.
Gratiano and Lodovico run in to help at first because as politicians they always need to be wary of their surroundings and they weren't sure if Cassio's cries for help were real or just part of a plot to assassinate them.
Iago implies that Bianca is involved in the fight between Cassio and Roderigo because Bianca was deeply concerned about Cassio's well being and Iago pointed out the fact that the fight took place right outside of Bianca's house as well as the fact that no prostitute should be that concerned about one of her customer's unless there was something else going on, like her trying to have Cassio killed.
heaven and hell references in act 5 |
|
Othello's "put out the light" speech is ironic because Othello says that if he doesn't kill her now Desdemona will "betray more men" which is why what he is doing is just and lawful.
It's possible for Othello to get away with murdering Desdemona if he really felt up to it because when Emilia asked the dying Desdemona who was the one that killed her Desdemona didn't rat Othello out because she still loved him.
Roderigo - After his fight with Cassio that leaves him with gut wound, Iago enters the scene and finishes the job that Cassio had started by covering Roderigo's mouth and stabbing him until he passes.
Desdemona - When Othello finally confronts her about her alleged affair with Cassio, Desdemona adamantly and truthfully insists that she was loyal to Othello. However Iago has completely gotten to Othello and smothers Desdemona with a pillow for about a good five to ten minutes before she dies.
Brabantio - The shock of Desdemona's betrayal and marriage to Othello was to much for Brabantio to handle and he dies of a heart attack, while his daughter and Othello are on Cyprus.
Emilia - Once Emilia figures out the truth about what Iago has been doing she outs him to the men in room. In order to escape the consequences of his actions Iago stabs Emilia in the back in allowing himself a chance to escape.
Desdemona - When Othello finally confronts her about her alleged affair with Cassio, Desdemona adamantly and truthfully insists that she was loyal to Othello. However Iago has completely gotten to Othello and smothers Desdemona with a pillow for about a good five to ten minutes before she dies.
Brabantio - The shock of Desdemona's betrayal and marriage to Othello was to much for Brabantio to handle and he dies of a heart attack, while his daughter and Othello are on Cyprus.
Emilia - Once Emilia figures out the truth about what Iago has been doing she outs him to the men in room. In order to escape the consequences of his actions Iago stabs Emilia in the back in allowing himself a chance to escape.
Othello - After Iago has been captured he and Cassio are brought to Othello's chamber the the other men, once they've arrived Othello tells everyone that he has no reason to live any longer, stabs Iago with a ceremonial sword, after the sword is taken from him Othello manages to grab a knife proceeds to stab himself.
Othello claims that he's happy that he only wounded Iago instead of killing him because Othello believes that he's going to hell and he's certain that Iago is also going to hell after he dies and Othello really doesn't want to have to spend eternity with Iago in hell right now. By only wounding Iago Othello knows that he won't being seeing Iago for a long time if Iago lives a long life, which Othello hopes is what happens to Iago.
Othello's tragic flaw that leads to his downfall is that he's too trusting of others who may wish to do him harm.
The overall theme/moral/universal truth/lesson of the play is that you shouldn't trust people solely based on the fact that you've known them for a long time.