Act IV , Scene III

1. Act IV , Scene III Zeid Kevin Kenan Samuel By :

2. Characters • Othello: • Upset towards Desdemona • planning to kill her • Desdemona: • ideal wife • unconditional love towards Othello - despite being falsely accused and being called a whore, continues to be obedient - believes it is her own fault - loves Othello even in his anger and stubbornness • oblivious to the world - does not believe in unfaithfulness

3. Characters • Emilia: • more typical/realistic relationship with Iago • blames husbands for their unfaithfulness - defines them as unfaithful, inattentive, critical, abusive, possessive • believe women should satisfy their desires and cheat on their husbands • Is quite humourous Lodovico: • A handsome and ideal gentleman who tries to be peacemaker

4. Setting Setting: Emilia's description on typical husbands and wives shows the typical relationships of a couple during that time - wives were considered to be possessions - wives were usually unfaithful and would look for their own happiness - men were also harsh and unfaithful to their wives - suspicion and jealousy were common traits for both partners

5. Plot • - Othello sends Desdemona to bed and asks Emilia to be dismissed immediately • - Desdemona somewhat predicts her imminent fate but continues to be loyal towards Othello's commands • - Desdemona sings the Willow song, explaining her mother’s maid’s life, but at the same time, describing her own situation without knowing it • - the song makes Desdemona think about the idea of adultery and unfaithfulness, therefore, questions Emilia about it

6. Significance of Scene • this scene helps Desdemona understand or at least helps her wrap around the idea of unfaithfulness before being directly confronted by Othello about it • helps Desdemona somewhat understand possible reasons of Othello's hostility towards her

7. Theme The innocent are viewed as corrupt because of the actions of the corrupt - Desdemona continues to be extremely faithful and innocent, yet is accused of being unfaithful - Emilia describes Othello, who was a faithful ideal husband, as another typical husband, being unfaithful, inattentive, abusive, possessive, jealous, and critical - problems ultimately originate from Iago

8. Mood • scene gives a very solemn mood • Desdemona starts off foreshadowing her own death • then sings the Willow song, describing her own exact situation without knowing it • is in complete despair • ends off predicting her sorrow

9. Literary Devices • Dramatic Irony: • Desdemona doesn’t really understand why Othello gets very mad at her • Foreshadowing/Dramatic Irony: • Desdemona’s thoughts (about the bed sheets) and the Willow song foreshadows her death • Flashback/Foreshadowing • Desdemona thinks back of her mother’s maid’s death and the willow song (doesn’t know it directly applies to her)

10. Rhetorical Devices The fresh streams ran by her, and murmured her moans (4.3 L43) - personification - the first part describes how the stream is constantly rushing past Barbary - the second part illustrates the persistence of Barbary's moans (her moans imitated the continuously-moving streams) - since the Willow song illustrates Desdemona's position, the rhetorical device shows the continuous moanings and despair that Desdemona is experiencing

11. Literary/Rhetorical Devices Her salt tears fell from her, and soften’d the stones (4.3 L45) - metaphor - salt refers to the bitterness of her feelings - since salt is the opposite of sugar, which is sweet, the adjective, salt, refers to the bitterness of her tears - personification - tears do not soften stones - however, soften refers to breaking her own heart metaphor - stones refers to her heart - this sentence describes the bitterness and sorrow experienced by Barbary/Desdemona

12. Literary/Rhetorical Devices If wives do fall. Say that they slack their duties And pour our treasures into foreign laps (4.3 L85-86) - metaphor - the word, treasure, refers to the man's time and devotion - the word, lap, refers to the women men are attracted to - Emilia defines the typical husband, who is always devoted and attracted to another women

13. Literary/Rhetorical Devices And have their palates both for sweet and sour (4.3 L93) - metaphor - the word palates, refers to the desires of women - the phrase "sweet and sour" are tastes that people may like or hate they are generally contrasting to each other - Emilia explains to Desdemona how, like men, women should seek happiness and satisfy their own desires - thus, she concludes that it is acceptable for women to cheat on their wives

14. Questions/Issues for Discussions Was Desdemona fully aware about her imminent fate of death?