Othello Act 4 s ii

• Engels
• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• GCSE

Lesson objectives 

Othello from nobel general to wifebeater 

Act 4 s2

Othello is abusive 

Emilia defends her mistress 

Public vs private setting

Act 4 s 1 was in a very public setting Now we are in a domestic setting. This juxtaposition between public and private persona is a motif throughout the play. 

In the last scene, Othello behaves in public outrageously, where one is supposed to curb one’s actions and behave properly

He is beyond reason and is so consumed by the monstrous rage within him that he can no longer control himself or his actions.

Use of setting to highlight the theme of how jealousy is a destructive, terrifying and all-consuming emotion. 

The motif of the juxtaposition of public behaviour and private emotions is used to highlight the destructive forcce of jealousy. 

Othello as physical and verbal bully

We are very far removed now from the eloquent, well behaved, and affectionate Othello of Act I

His speech is filled with insults for Desdemona and Emilia

Answer this question in your exercise book:  

How do these phrases contrast with Cassio’s flattering and gentlemanly descriptions of Desdemona in Act 2 s iii?  Find evidence from Cassio's lines. Write a comparative paragraph. Consider how the audience is affected. 

would thou had’st ne’er been born!

she’s a simple bawd

This is a subtle whore

Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell

be double-damned

Public commoner

Impudent strumpet

cunning whore of Venice

Emilia (finally) defends her mistress

• Emilia acts with devotion, assuring Othello that Desdemona has never behaved inappropriately.
  
• Othello rationalizes Emilia’s responses, claiming Desdemona must be particularly crafty to have pulled off her indiscretions without even arousing the suspicions of her lady-in-waiting.
  
• It is dramatic irony that Othello, praised earlier for his judgment, blindly accepts lies from Iago, his supposedly devoted ensign, but is sceptical of truths told by Emilia, Desdemona’s genuinely devoted servant.
  

Desdemona’s courage

• Desdemona is confused by her husband’s behaviour, but despite his striking her publicly, she exhibits bravery and even challenges him, “By heaven, you do me wrong!”
  
• She appears not to be afraid of being alone with Othello. This reflects positively on her dedication to her duty and her status.
  
• She knows how a woman of her rank and position is supposed to react and attempts to fulfil her role bravely. 
  
• Desdemona represents Virtue in the play. 
  

Why does she ask for her wedding sheets to be put on the bed? 

Lesson objectives 

Act 4 s2 

Homework read Act 5 for Monday 16th Dec 

Iago's jealousy 

Act 4 s 3 Abusive marriages 

Emila and Desdemona's opinions on fidelity 

Why the wedding sheets? Ideas

1. They are a reminder to Othello of how much he loved her just a short time ago when they were wed.
   
2. It is likely that Othello and Desdemona have not yet consummated their marriage as the lovers keep being interrupted. Perhaps she hopes to reconcile with him and consummate the marriage that evening.
   
3. They might be viewed as an omen and foreshadowing of the tragedy to come, as wives were occasionally buried in their wedding sheets. Othello has already decided to strangle her so the addition of the wedding sheets creates Aristotle’s “pity and fear” for Desdemona. One of the requirements for a tragedy. 
   

Write down your thoughts. 

Does Othello still love Desdemona at this point in the play? 

Is he still in love? 

• Nobody would get this upset if they didn’t care
  
• Othello has been shown as an idealist with hyperbolic descriptions of the power of love. Would he give that idea up so quickly? 
  
• She represents everything he has worked for, and marrying her was his greatest achievement, especially in a world that was completely against their union. 
  

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What does this throwaway line suggest? 

Emilia 

​“some such squire he was that turned your wit the seamy side without and made you to suspect me with the Moor”

Iago's jealousy 

Clearly, Iago has been in Othello’s situation before, perhaps accounting for why he could so expertly set his trap.

Having been trapped once himself, he knew precisely what would make a man insanely jealous

Apparently Iago hasn’t got over his jealousy; his suspicions still feed his anger, providing him with motive (however well or ill-founded) for lashing out at Othello.

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We are here now

The construction of a five act tragedy 

ACT ONE: setting the scene, laying out the problem

ACT TWO: plot develops, but the tragedy is not yet fixed

ACT THREE: something happens that seals the tragedy; no going back now

ACT FOUR: things unravel, and do so faster and faster

ACT FIVE: a catastrophe happens (usually deaths) and the problem at the start is resolved. Normality resumes.