Othello: #5

            Before this scene Othello’s anger and rage builds up inside of him. He tries his best to hide his intentions and dismisses Desdemona. However, as Iago shows him more “proof” of Desdemona’s infidelity, Othello cannot suppress his fury. He slaps Desdemona in front of Lodovico, which shocks everyone. Desdemona starts crying and Lodovico asks, “Is this the noble Moor, whom our full senate/ Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature/ Whom passion could not shake, whose solid virtue/ The shot of accident nor dart of chance/ Could neither graze nor pierce?” (IV. i. 297-301). This is Othello’s turning point. I predict that he will now tumble into a downward spiral resulting in his own death. He used to be respectful, loving, and kind, but he just hit his wife in front of someone who will most likely go back and tell all of Venice. Lodovico’s reaction is expected, as one could only assume that Othello is losing his mind. In a sense, he is losing his mind. Iago has been so successful in feeding Othello lies that Othello can no longer discern truth from lies. Othello’s personality has changed so much that it is only a matter of time before his emotions take over and make him do something terrible that he will eventually regret.