othello 4.1 Flashcards
summary
Iago continues to torment Othello with vivid descriptions of Desdemona’s alleged sexual activity. Othello falls into an epileptic seizure. Iago next places Othello where he can see (but not hear) a conversation between Cassio and Iago about Bianca, telling Othello that the bawdy talk is about Cassio and Desdemona. Othello’s fury grows.Othello strikes Desdemona in Lodovico’s presence, then rudely dismisses her, leaving in a jealous rage. Lodovico expresses his astonishment at the change in Othello
“An unauthorized kiss. Or to be naked with her friend in bed, an hour or more, not meaning any harm.”
Iago begins to taunt Othello with crude images of Cassio and Desdemona in bed together. Iago now has the power to control Othello’s mood and choices
“As doth the raven o’er the infected house.”
Othello’s sentence structure suggests he is now longer in control of his thoughts. The reference to the “raven” indicates a sign of ill omen. We are also reminded that Iago is still poisoning his mind. The phrase also has mystical imagery, but his speech is passive, as though he is no longer in control of his thoughts.
“Chop her into messes. Cuckhold me!”/”Get me some poison, Iago”/”Hence, avaunt!”
The verbal abuse becomes physical as he strikes her later on - his words are full of savagery and egotism (link to hubris - contributes to overall tragedy) By mentioning poison, he also lives up to the negative racial stereotypes of what black men were perceived to be. Reference to Brabantio’s line at the beginning of the play “Abused her youth with drugs and minerals” - Final lines he barks at Desdemona are brutal
“Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated”
Iago states that Othello should strangle Desdemona in her bed where she has sinned, yet it is ironic as he is the one who has contaminated Othello’s mind. His referal to her as though she is a type of disease shows how Renaissance women who sinned were seen as some sort of disease and almost stripped of their humanity. There is also a reason why Iago wants Cassio and Desdemona dead, before Othello can question them. Iago’s choice of strangulation suits the manipulator’s characterisation - by having her be strangled in bed, Iago is replacing the loving ritual of consumation with a cruel ritual of strangulation. As Othello has stroked, the love and admiration he evoked before has fallen with him, as he discusses killing his wife with Iago.
Strikes her: “Devil!”/”Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile”
Othello’s religious insults is a true testimony to a Jacobean audience to how he now views Desdemona, she was once “sweet Desdemona” now she is the “devil.” The striking also references how their love has been shattered both publicly and privately. Her tears are also not seen as real
“Goats and Monkeys!”
Othello’s rude treatment of Lodovico demonstrates our tragic hero’s fall since Act One - he is no longer an eloquent and noble speaker
“Naked in bed…and not mean harm”/”The devil their virtue tempts, and they tempt heaven”/”Damned tonight”
Full of Christian Imagery by Othello at the beginning of this scene. Then he speaks of Desdemona being “damned tonight” - showing he still has a moral code.
“But if I give my wife a handkerchief”
The handkerchief has now become an analogy for her body and sex - if Othello “gives her” marriage, she loses her right give away her body
“Breaks out to savage madness”
This refers to racist stereotypes about Othello, but Iago can convincingly pin it on Othello’s race
“Falls in a trance”
This robs Othello of his ability to speak, the trait that distinguishes humans from animals. Consumed by jealousy and without his honour, he has become the monster that other characters have accused him of being. Cassio also expresses genuine concern over Othello, but Iago skillfully manipulates the situation to maintain control
