Othello, Act 5, Scene 1

How does Shakespeare create a sense of fear and confusion in Act 5 scene 1? Consider:

• Setting
• Language
• Structure of lines
• Use of characters
• Other dramatic methods

Shakespeare creates a sense of fear and confusion through a number of dramatic methods he uses in this extract. The extract begins with Rodrigo and Iago in Cyprus on a street. It is nighttime shrouded in mystery and darkness. Throughout Shakespeare uses the night as a dramatic method to foreshadow death, violence and evoke fear. One of Aristotle's criteria for a tragedy is Pathos, this is the ability to evoke pity and fear. In this scene Shakespeare evokes fear from the audience due to the uncertainty that the night and darkness bring. The audience recognise this due to the opening scene where Rodrigo and Iago are shouting outside Brabantio's house and confusion is created. Another scene that reinforces the audiences suspicion is Iago getting Cassio  drunk during Othellos wedding celebrations where a brawl is started.

The extract is towards the end of the play and starts with Rodrigo  discussing killing Cassio with Iago. A sense of confusion is created through Rodrigo's language that shows uncertainty and presents him as one of Iagos mere puppets. Rodrigo says:

'I have no great devotion to the deed,

And yet he hath given me satisfying reasons.

’Tis but a man gone. Forth my sword; he dies.'

Rodrigo does not understand why he is killing Cassio but does not entirely question Iago and the 'deed' he must commit to. Rodrigo is only thinking about the telos of the action and his prize of Desdemona. Iago once again manipulates Roderigo and makes him believe something that is a lie. 

For the first time in the whole play Shakespeare presents Iago as a character that is fearful because his plan can fall apart at any moment due to Rodrigo saying he will ask for all of his gifts back from Desdemona. However, this is very ironic as Iago has not been giving Desdemona any of Rodrigo's gifts but has just been pocketing them and coin for his personal gain. Even when Iago's plan is in the mist of falling away he is still presented as a powerful characters through his strength of manipulation and determination:

I have rubb’d this young quat almost to the sense,

And he grows angry. Now, whether he kill Cassio,

Or Cassio him, or each do kill the other,

Every way makes my gain. Live Roderigo,

He calls me to a restitution large

Of gold and jewels that I bobb’d from him

As gifts to Desdemona;

It must not be. If Cassio do remain,

He hath a daily beauty in his life

That makes me ugly; and besides, the Moor

May unfold me to him; there stand I in much peril.

No, he must die. Be’t so. I hear him coming.

Above Iago takes part in an aside where he explains he thoughts and feelings towards Cassio. Jealousy, a key theme is evident in this small part as Iago explains his jealousy and intimidation that Cassio socially  indirectly inflicts on Iago. Some people may also interpret this as fear. Iago is a motiveless malignity that has no reason for his actions, however it can be interpreted that Iago enjoys disrupting the social hierarchy and wants a promotion, specifically Cassio's job as Iago feels it has been stolen from him.

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Visit http://www.playshakespeare.com/license for details.