Othello Act IV Notes
Act IV Scene 1 Read IV.1.1137-1140 Othello is trying, even after swearing that Desdemona was unfaithful, not to condemn her too harshly. He is talking with Iago about the handkerchief still, and its significance in being found Iago whips Othello into an even greater fury through mere insinuation, and Othello takes the bait. Othello falls into a trance of rage, and Iago decides to hammer home his false ideas about his wife. Iago calls Cassio in, while Othello hides Iago speaks to Cassio of Bianca, but Othello believes that is talking of Desdemona This is the last "proof" he needs before declaring his wife guilty. Bianca comes in, and gives the handkerchief back to Cassio, since she swears she will have nothing to do with it.
Act IV Scene 1 Othello is incensed by Cassio, still believing that he was speaking of Desdemona, rather than Bianca. Othello is resolved to kill Desdemona himself, and charges Iago with murdering Cassio. Ludovico, a noble Venetian whom Desdemona knows, has recently landed; Desdemona and Othello welcome him there. When Desdemona mentions Cassio, Othello becomes very angry and slaps her in front of everyone Ludovico especially is shocked at this change in Othello, and has no idea how such a noble man could act so cruelly. Watch movie scene
Analysis: Othello s Transformation Othello's trance also marks his descent into the savage Ironically, he becomes the passion-stirred, wicked pagan that others had accused him of being, merely because of his skin color. Iago notes that Othello "breaks out into savage madness" in this fit; indeed, the primal seems to be taking over the more civilized aspects of Othello. Othello refers to himself as a "horned man," ashamed of this descent
Analysis: Othello s Confusion "O, the world hath not a sweeter creature," Othello declares of Desdemona he still decides that she shall not live for what she has supposedly done. There is great irony in this scene, as Othello declares that Desdemona is of a soft and kind nature, yet condemns her for being lustful and immoral. Note Othello's reticent tone, even when he is condemning Desdemona to death Chaos and jealousy have triumphed over reason, still there is a part of him that knows Desdemona is good
Analysis When Othello strikes Desdemona, he shows the severity of his change. Just her mention of Cassio sends him into an unreasonable rage Although one of his greatest fears regarding Desdemona's alleged infidelity was that it would blacken his name and reputation The irony is that Othello is doing that himself Savagery is taking over his civility, he continues to become the cruel, jealous, passion-spurred "savage" that Brabantio accused him of being. He is beginning to become a stereotype by his own doing, as he falls farther and farther from himself.
Act IV Scene 2 Othello questions Emilia about Desdemona's guilt Emilia admits to having seen nothing, though Othello does not believe her. Emilia swears that Desdemona is pure and true. Othello believes that Emilia is in on all this too Othello leaves, and Desdemona and Emilia try to figure out what has happened to Othello Emilia thinks that someone has manipulated Othello into accusing Desdemona, and has poisoned his mind
Act IV Scene 2 Read IV.2.1142-1143 Iago is there to dispel this opinion, so that Emilia does not inquire further into her theory. Iago comes across Roderigo; he is not pleased with how Iago has handled things, and knows that although Iago is promising him Desdemona's favor, he has done nothing to indicate that he has worked to achieve this. Iago quiets him by making him believe that if he kills Cassio, then he will win Desdemona Watch movie scene
Analysis: Emilia Emilia, ever perceptive, knows that someone has done this to Othello which is the truth. It is ironic that Emilia thinks of this, and condemns the man who must be manipulating Othello, since the one who has devised this whole thing is her own husband Iago is there to hush this suspicion, but they know something is awry
Analysis: Foreshadowing Roderigo, at last, is the one to accuse Iago of treachery He has discovered the truth, that Iago's "words and performances are no kin together." Iago does his best to deny this, and convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio in order to win Desdemona Roderigo's accusation means: Iago will be revealed by Roderigo if Roderigo is not satisfied Roderigo will have to die so that Iago's plans will go through. Othello is a tragedy and this confrontation foreshadows Roderigo's death.
Act IV Scene 3 Othello tells Desdemona to go to bed, and dismiss Emilia Emilia regrets Desdemona's marriage, although Desdemona cannot say that she does not love Othello. Desdemona knows that she will die soon; she sings a song of sadness and resignation, and decides to give herself to her fate. Desdemona asks Emilia whether she would commit adultery to win her husband the world. Emilia, the more practical one, thinks that it is not too big a price for a small act Desdemona is too good, and too devout, to say that she would do so.
Analysis: Desdemona Desdemona knows of her impending death; she is almost too good to live The "Willow Song" and her tale of her mother's maid also foreshadow Desdemona's death. She is not trying to fight it; she seems like a totally different woman than the one who stood up to her father and the Venetian nobles. Desdemona is suddenly depicted as being meek; this sudden shift in her character is strange, and the source is unknown. Her character is parallel to that of Ophelia; both are good, virtuous, obedient, but both are subjected to tragic fates because of their own innocence. Desdemona's fate is unfair and unearned, yet she is the martyr of the play,
Analysis: Individualize Women Emilia pronounces what seems like a theme of the play, up until this point: "let husbands know, their wives have sense like them they see, and smell, and have their palates both for sweet and sour, just as their husbands have" (96-99). Indeed, this is one of the reasons why Othello is so angry at Desdemona; the thought that she could have desire in her, just as he does, bewilders him and angers him That she could have opinions and ideas independent of his own, especially about Cassio and his rightful place, also upset him. Othello is good at heart but does not individualize women
Iago Constantly Interrupts Conversation Happens in Act I, scene i Roderigo and Iago Happens in Act IV, scene I Othello and Iago It seems Othello is now playing the role of Roderigo Thus do I ever make my fool my purse
Manhood (IV.i.65-92) Iago tries to define manhood to both Othello and Roderigo Definition of manhood is different Othello: Be a man and kill her Roderigo: Be a man and do not kill yourself
Manhood Although the definitions are different, there is a major similarity: In both instances, men stay alive
Othello s Feelings on Women (IV.i.169-199) Perfect or Horrible Extreme Philosophies One or the Other Desdemona is a perfect, gentle woman or Desdemona is horrific
Othello s Feelings on Women Binary Logic An interesting take on the Oedipal Complex (Snow s essay) As Father kill her to protect her chastity As Husband do not kill her
Othello s Feelings on Women Killing Desdemona would be an act of honor Othello is protecting other men by killing Desdemona Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see: She has deceived her father, and may thee. (I.iii.292-293) Becomes more clear in Act V.
The Real Iago? And knowing what I am, I know what she shall be. (IV.i.73) Because he knows what he is, he is able to define what she is Earlier in the play, Iago says, I am not what I am. If he is unaware of what he is, does he have the ability to define Desdemona?