Act 4 Extra Points

Question 1

Iago describes Othello as a wild beast upon his fit as he became consumed by violent thoughts. What quote?

Answer 1

He foams at mouth/Breaks out to savage madness.

Question 2

How does Othello suggest he will kill Desdemona in a savage and egoistic way?

Answer 2

he will “chop her into messes! Cuckold me!”

Question 3

Why is there irony in the way Iago describes his poison as medicine? scene 1

Answer 3

as Iago’s methods are a sadistic repetition of those he used in Act III Scene III when Iago commanded Othello’s imagination, conjuring up distressing images of infidelity.

Question 4

How is it clear that Iago has the power in Act 4 scene 1?

Answer 4

as he even chooses the way she dies, telling Othello strangulation is the only way for him to get justice for her infidelity. By having her smothered in her marriage bed, Iago is replacing the loving ritual of consummation with an act of hatred and violence. We know just how powerful Iago’s influence is additionally because Othello begins to speak and think like the ensign when his imagination is polluted.

Question 5

What does Othello say which incites pathos to the audience who can sense his pain while leading up to the plot of Desdemona’s death?

Answer 5

“O, Iago, the pity of it, Iago!” demonstrating that he is torn between thoughts of his wife’s sweetness and treachery

Question 6

Why does Othello slip into oaths and savagery in scene 1 shouting “Fire and brimestone!”

Answer 6

as he has discovered he will be replaced by Cassio as governor; having Cassio supplanting him in both his bed and military role sends him into a mental decline

Question 7

How does Othello describe the pollution of his love?

Answer 7

becoming a “cistern, for foul toads”

Question 8

Although Othello at times speaks with a measured tone , his repetition of ‘whore’ and ‘strumpet’ indicates what?

Answer 8

how far he has been removed from the noble hero of the first 2 Acts. His speech is peppered with vile images, even when he is eloquent; becoming a verbal bully.

Question 9

explore

“I took you for that cunning whore of Venice/That married with Othello”

Answer 9

While these words appear to be of a violent nature, the way in which Othello dramatises himself using third person suggests that the situation is of such pain that he must distance himself from what he is saying. As a result, these insults are associated with Iago, as it almost appears as though it is Iago who is speaking through Othello from this third person perspective. It is clear from the violence of his words that the masculine code of honour his jealousy symbolises has been threatened by the idea of females sexuality; the idea of which Iago exploits to destroy Othello by manipulating him into believing his chaste wife has strayed.

Question 10

Many critics such as _______ perceive Othello’s hamartia as jealousy.

Answer 10

Leavis

Question 11

Desdemona says that she’s a “child to chiding” emphasising her innocence and misery to Othello’s abrupt and sudden mistreatment of her. She continues to love Othello and will continue to, however the audience know that this is futile and she will never “___ ___ ___ ______”

Answer 11

win my lord again

Question 12

Like her husband, Iago, Emilia has a cynical view of human relationships and a pragmatic approach to sin; this acts as a contrast to Desdemona who…

Answer 12

who is lost and melancholy from the loss of romance from her marriage.

Question 13

There are several bad omens in scene 1, including Barbary’s melancholy willow song which seems fatalistic and forebodes Desdemona’s death. What does the willow symbolise?

Answer 13

it is a traditional symbol for lost or unrequited love, foreshadowing how Desdemona will die without having the love her husband

Question 14

Why is it fitting that the willow song is in Act 4?

Answer 14

as structurally, as this scene is of quiet and sorrow, it becomes punctuated by the melancholy acting as a calm before the storm of Act V.

Question 15

While those such as F.R Leavis has suggested that Othello’s readiness to believe Iago is a sign that he is ‘simple minded,’ what is the opposite argument?

Answer 15

Othello is much more than weak fool. By the time Othello descends into murderous jealousy, we are well acquainted with his noble character and recognise that he has been “ensnared”

Question 16

What does Othello’s preoccupation with honour and charity suggest rather than egotism?

Answer 16

that he has a virtuous and moral character

Question 17

How can Othello’s psychological and moral disintegration be traced throughout the play?

Answer 17

through his changing speech style; he uses more oaths in the second half of the play, perhaps indicating moral corruption.

Question 18

In scene 2 Desdemona defends her own honour and remarks “By heaven, you do me wrong” why is this important?

Answer 18

as Desdemona maintains her brave and assertive construct even when she has been attacked verbally and physically by Othello. The reference to heaven reinforces her virtue and foreshadows her murder when Othello will refer to heaven before he murders her on the marital bed

Question 19

Iago’s public treatment of Emilia is as dismissive as his private treatment, In Scene 2 Iago is annoyed that Emilia refers to Iago’s false suspicion that Othello cuckolded him, responding that “your are a fool, go to” what does this suggest

Answer 19

this suggests that Iago is unwilling to hear the truth, he would prefer to interpret evidence to align with his evil nature and to justify his petty revenge for Cassio’s promotion over himself.

Question 20

In the willow song, Emilia insists that women have the same appetites as men and the same right to “______” if they are badly treated.

Answer 20

revenge

Question 21

It could be considered that Emilia’s pragmatism about men and women is perhaps not very removed from Iago’s cynicism from her defence of adultery in Act 3 scene 4. While she speaks theoretically, her casual acceptance of sin is an indication of what?

Answer 21

an indication that Emilia is too crude a moraliser to be relied on completely as a judge of Othello’s character in the final scene

Question 22

Emilia plays the role of Desdemona’s comforter and protector of her honour, a role that should have been played by Othello. As Desdemona becomes less assertive in the second half of the play, Emilia becomes more important becoming her mistress’s what?

Answer 22

energetic defender, voicing the audience’s outrage at the treatment Desdemona receives.

Question 23

What is an example of when Emilia is wise without knowing when describing Othello’s jealousy accurately?

Answer 23

“The Moor’s abused by some most villainous knave”

Question 24

Cassio jokes that Bianca, “haunts me in every place” in scene 1, what does this suggest?

Answer 24

that she is smitten with him, and explain her indignation when she believes the handkerchief must be “some minx’s token.” This unfounded jealous mirrors Othello’s as she says woefully that “to the felt absence now I feel a cause” which foreshadows Othello’s own words in the opening line in the final scene when he repeats “it is the cause” to justify his killing. Bianca’s vulnerable status as “strumpet” reminds us of this double standard between men and women which ultimately positioned her as a naive girl, too presumptuous to expect Cassio to marry nor even respect her.

Question 25

When Othello is overcome by jealous thoughts how does Iago observe him? (quote)

Answer 25

“He foams at mouth, and … Breaks out to savage madness”

Question 26

Which critic notes that Othello slips into a possessive jealousy?

Answer 26

F. R Leavis