Othello Act 4

1. LQs: 1. How does Act 4 show the continuing infection of Othello’s mind LQ 2: How are different facets of women portrayed in Act 4 ? Othello Act 4 To think about now: Where is the handkerchief ? How is Desdemona behaving ?

2. Foreshadowing Violence • Othello makes references to Christian morals in the early part of the scene? • “the devil”(6), “Virtuously” (7) • “The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven.” (line 8) • Is this self-justification or trying, as an outsider, to understand how Christian Venice would perceive this ? • Othello’s state of mind (line 20- 21) • “………- O, it comes o’er my memory • As does the raven o’er the infectious house “ This is a very good quote as it: • Shows Othello’s decline • Uses animal imagery • Use imagery of disease

3. Foreshadowing Violence • Othello falls into a trance (line 43) after speaking in blank verse – note the confused nature of this speech. • When he comes to he is worried by a head ache – why ? • Why does Iago think “your case it better”

4. Othello watches • Iago engages Cassio in conversation about Bianca – Othello thinks the conversation is about Desdemona • Notice how Iago avoids names • BUT if Othello is soo upset, why doesn’t he come forward and confront Cassio ( In the 1995 film with Laurence Fishburne/Kenneth Branagh, Iago locks Othello into a room where he can oversee events but cannot interrupt) • Bianca’s entry is another piece of luck for Iago • What is she upset about now ? • What is your impression of Bianca in this scene – why has Shakespeare called her Bianca (Spanish and Italian for ‘white’) • Has “ocular proof” now been provided ?

5. Violent words • What are Othello’s first words on emerging from hiding ? • There are many references to violence against Desdemona in this part of the scene (178 – 205): • - “rot and perish”, “be damned tonight, for she shall not live”, “hang her”, “I will chop her into messes”, ‘poison (her)”, “strangle her in her bed – even the bed she hath contaminated” • Although he does offset this verbal violence with descriptions of Desdemona as “ the world hath not a sweeter creature” and “ she will sing the savageness out of a bear!” although these could be seen as examples of Desdemona’s duplicity • But Othello also says (192-3) “the pity of it Iago- O Iago, the pity of it, Iago!” Do we still feel any pity for Othello ?

6. The world of Venice enters • Lodovico comes with news and instructions from Venice – he is someone Desdemona can relate to. • His initial greeting, ’God save you, worthy general“ can be seen as ironic since only God could perhaps save Othello now • Desdemona’s reference to Cassio (232) is an example of her naivety • But the striking of Desdemona is shocking – is this because she is female or because she is a noblewoman (and Othello is black)

7. Exits • When Desdemona leaves, Othello exclaims “Avaunt” – what do the notes suggest this might mean • What also is the significance of an imminent return to Venice • Othello’s words on his exit “Goats and monkeys” are echoes of earlier animalistic images • the scene ends with Lodovico is worried that he is “deceived in him” – what do you think this means ?

8. Scene 2 – Female fidelity • Timing • When can Cassio and Desdemona have time for their “affair” ? • And Bianca in Act 3 Scene 4 complains that Cassio has been “.. a week away ? seven days and nights ?” • But the action feels it is racing on – and for Iago’s plan to work the characters can’t talk to each other or else the truth will be revealed

9. Scene 2 – Female fidelity (1) • What does Emilia tell Othello about Desdemona when she is questioned by him? • Why do you think he chooses not to listen to this? • How does Othello address Desdemona at first? • Look at lines 30-40 and comment on how Othello speaks to Desdemona. What are the images meant to remind the audience of ? • Now look at lines 47-70 and comment on how Othello’s speech - is it more poetic like Acts 1 & 2 or there some familiar images that show his decline.

10. Scene 2 – Female fidelity (2) • What does Desdemona say to Emilia once Othello has left? Comment on how this would impact upon an audience. • How does Iago react when the women tell him about what has happened? • Look at Desdemona’s speech in lines 150- 165. What does this reveal about her character and her situation at this point? Also what would the stage direction be ? • What does Iago persuade Roderigo to do ? How would you describe Roderigo’s state of mind at this point of the play?

11. Scene 3- 2 wives and symbolism • Othello tells Desdemona to ‘Get you to bed on th’instant’. What effect does this have on the audience? • Emilia tells Desdemona ‘Would you had never seen him!’ (line 16). Explain the effect of Desdemona’s reaction? • Find some extracts/images between lines 20-60 which foreshadow Desdemona’s fate. Think especially about the symbolism of the song and what Desdemona’s name means. • What price would Emilia be prepared to accept to have an affair. What does this say about her approach to marriage ? And does it make it likely do you think that she has had an affair ? • Look at Emilia’s speech in lines 83-102. What does she say? What does it say about her view on women ?How is this effective for the audience? • How does Desdemona react?