Othello denounces Desdemona to her face as a *****. Scene 2. Othello indeed thinks they are talking about his wife.). This scene chiefly introduces to the audience Iago as having gained full control, as we see Othello now to be the one unconsciously repeating after him. Cassio enters and notices Othello’s state of unconsciousness. Yet despite his reservations, in the end he decides to go through with the murder. Iago is playing mind games with Othello as usual, forcing him to imagine Desdemona and Cassio in bed together. Othello first threatens to chop Desdemona up into little bits. reference to reputation by Iago again: “Her honor is an essence that’s not seen, they have it very oft that have it not. Analysis Act 4 Scene 1. Othello interrogates Emilia about Desdemona’s behavior, but Emilia insists that Desdemona has done nothing suspicious. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Othello thinks of killing her finally so that she doesn’t trap more men. Iago explains that he's just having a fit—totally normal—in fact, the second one since yesterday. When Montano tries to intervene, Cassio wounds him. Our summary works through Act 2 scene-by-scene to guide you through the complex plot that drives Shakespeare’s Othello. Cassio calls her a "fitchew," which is a polecat, known for being lusty and smelly. Scene 2 is relatively short. Preview. In this scene, the matter of the “bond” reaches its crisis and its resolution: Shylock is defeated, Antonio is saved, and the lovers are free to return to Belmont; thus, Shakespeare gives us the happy ending which a romantic comedy requires. Othello thinks this is a wonderful idea, and says he'll listen with patient and bloody thoughts. (This conversation is overheard by Othello, who apparently missed the key word "Bianca." Othello is now filled with confusion and grief. Othello thinks this murder plan is most just. But for the handkerchief-” Lines 16-18. As Emilia helps Desdemona prepare for bed, they discuss marital infidelity, with Desdemona arguing that no woman would be unfaithful to her husband and Emilia arguing that women have the same desires as men do. Desdemona comes to call Othello to dinner. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Lodovico questions Othello, revealing even more proof of Iago's guilt, and states that Othello … Iago calls Cassio in, while Othello hides; Iago speaks to Cassio of Bianca, but Othello, in his disturbed state, believes that Ca… Othello questions Emilia about Cassio and Desdemona's relationship, acting as if Emilia is the mistress of a brothel and Desdemona one of her prostitutes. Othello Plot Summary. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Othello says she can cry crocodile tears (full of falsehood) and he won't care, as she changes faces so easily. While Othello reads the letter from the Duke, Lodovico talks with Desdemona (who showed up in the meantime) and asks her how Cassio is doing. Check out our revolutionary side-by-side summary and analysis. . Nice. He wonders whether Othello has been put into a passion by the Duke's letters, but Iago suggests this poor form is Othello's status quo. Author: Created by MFLYNN-Teacher. when Lodovico gives a othello the letters askimg to go back to venice, Lodovico asks Iago how cassio is Desdemona can't figure out why her husband would strike her—and in public no less—when she's done nothing to deserve it. The Turkish attack may have been quelled, but it also bodes badly for Othello's ship. In Venice, Iago and Roderigo discuss Othello, a general. Act 4 Scene 1 Iago continues to torment Othello with vivid descriptions of Desdemona's alleged sexual activity until Othello blacks out. Othello, the Moorish general, made Cassio Lieutenant. It opens upon Othello, Iago, and some gentlemen from Cyprus. Summary Act 5 SCENE 1 Despite feeling feint of heart, Roderigo resolves to kill Cassio if only for the sake of preventing Othello from leaving Cyprus right away with Desdemona in tow, which he assuredly will (to attend to his father-in-law’s funeral) if nothing is done to bring the affairs of state to the point of a crisis. Iago complains to Roderigo that he was not named Lieutenant by Othello, but rather Ensign. Iago continues his psychological torture until Othello falls into a trance. Scene 1. Summary Act 4 SCENE 1 Having told Othello that he knows for a fact that Cassio is in possession of Desdemona’s handkerchief, Iago makes light of the situation, arguing that once ownership of the handkerchief changes hands from Othello to Desdemona that Othello should be content to let the fate of the handkerchief lie entirely to Desdemona’s discretion. Either he slept with her or told a lie about her. Iago isn't totally clear if Cassio said "lie with her" or "lie on her," which is a pretty big difference. Act 4, Scene 1. Othello, walking with Lodovico, orders Desdemona to go to bed and to dismiss Emilia. A terrible storm has struck Cyprus, just as the Turks were about to approach. Iago underhandedly will have given Othello the shadow of proof. Desdemona explains how Cassio and Othello had a falling out, and declares she hopes they can work it out "for the love I bear to Cassio" (4.1.231), which is not a good move given the fact that Othello was just thinking about Cassio having sex with his wife. . Othello, overhearing Desdemona's loving comments toward Cassio, gets enraged and hits Desdemona. This contrasts with Othello's train of thought in the previous act, where, with less actual evidence before him, he changed his whole view of himself and his marriage. We now reach the dramatic high point of the play. This scene shows his weaknesses. He tells Cassio to leave them for a minute and come back when Othello has left, so they can have a friendly chat. In a very cunning manner, Iago plants the notion of infidelity in Othello’s mind. Othello gets so upset he starts mumbling and falls into a trance. Then, he asks Iago to get him some poison, so he might kill her that very night. Analysis. Detailed Summary of Othello, Act 4, Scene 1 Page Index: Enter Othello and Iago. Othello is completely convinced by this little scene, and furious that Desdemona would give Cassio their special handkerchief, especially since his mother's dying bequest ended up in the hands of a common prostitute. A messenger enters, and confirms that the Turkish fleet was broken apart by the storm, and that Cassio has arrived, though Othello is still at sea. Othello Act 4 Scene 1 Analysis Punnet (Act 4, scene 1, line 219) :"Lives sir" Iago and Othello discuss about murdering Cassio and Desdemona and Iago intent on killing Cassio. Roderigo is unhappy about the marriage because he loves Desdemona, and Iago is angry because Othello picked Cassio as his lieutenant instead of picking Iago. When Cassio enters, Iago claims that Othello has epilepsy and has had seizures before. Iago sneers that Cassio's military experience is all talk. Cassio appears and wants to help Othello, but Iago sends him away and tells Othello that if he hides himself he will see Cassio talking about his encounters with Desdemona. Cassio, of course, laughs about how much the woman loves him, how desperate she is, and how easily beguiled she has been by his false intentions of marriage. Iago then brings up the lost handkerchief, saying if he'd given it to a woman, it would be her possession, and she'd be free to give it to anyone she pleased. . Chapter Summary for William Shakespeare's Othello, act 4 scene 1 summary. Othello in modern English: Act 4, Scene 1: Iago had to work fast. All is lost. Iago tells Othello to hide a little ways away so that he can overhear a conversation between Iago and Cassio, one where Cassio will clearly incriminate himself by talking loosely about Desdemona. Desdemona wakes up and asks him sweetly to which he answers that at last, she must repent for all her sins. Lodovico enters, followed by Montano, Cassio, and Iago. © 2020 Shmoop University Inc | All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal. Othello, hearing the conversation, is bound to think Cassio is making light of his wife, Desdemona. 21). (Cuckolds are men who are led about by the horns by their wives. The conversation is interrupted by Lodovico, kinsman of Brabantio (Desdemona's father, remember?). (Act1 until Act 5) A great way to revise for Othello, is to remove notes from proximity and print a blank script of Othello to annotate on from memory and extrapolate personal interpretation, which helps to regurgitate whatever you can remember and further expand if necessary. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from Shmoop and verify that you are over the age of 13. He is talking with Iago about the handkerchief still, and its significance in being found; but, soon, Iago whips Othello into an even greater fury through mere insinuation, and Othello takes the bait. She says that her sin is that she loved him. Of course Othello takes the meaning Iago wants him to take. It only takes Iago one scene to talk him into believing his wife is untrue. Enter Cassio. Act 4, Scenes 1–3 Summary and Analysis. Iago turns him away and Othello gains consciousness and Iago further makes him suffer from his treacherous words about Desdemona’s betrayal and further plans about talking to Cassio about Bianca and her love for him which will but make him laugh and Othello in … . Cassio greets them all, especially praising Desdemona; somehow, Iago and Desdemona enter into an argument about what … It must be Iago's lucky day, because Bianca herself comes in and throws Desdemona's handkerchief in Cassio's face. Iago then places Othello where e can see (But not hear) a conversation with Cassio about Bianca, telling Othello that the bawdy conversation is about Cassio and Desdemona. Iago comments ‘Thus credulous fools are caught’. Enter Iago and Othello. Lodovico insists Othello make amends with the poor girl, as she's weeping. Othello then declares Iago to be very wise. Othello, tricked by his own woman, feels he wears such horns.) When Emilia returns with Desdemona, Othello sends Emilia to guard the door. Iago demurs on giving details about Othello's failings, saying, with seeming humility, that it's not up to him to reveal the evils he's seen. Iago complains that instead of employing him as his … ... a starter activity, a glossary of terms, summary and analysis questions, an academic writing task, an extension task, a homework assignment and a plenary. Last Updated on June 20, 2020, by eNotes Editorial. Iago wheedles a bit more, now making the outright lie that Cassio claims to have slept with Desdemona...or something. Othello is trying, even after swearing that Desdemona was unfaithful, not to condemn her too harshly. Lodovico brings news from the Duke in Venice: Othello has been called back to the city, and Cassio is to replace him as command in Cyprus. The dramatic irony is that the most jealous indignation is expressed over offenses that did not happen: Othello jealous about his wife; Bianca jealous about Cassio; Iago formerly jealous about Emilia. Iago "comforts" Othello by saying lots of men are deceived by their women; it's like a club of whipped brothers. She is unable to comprehend the intention of Othello so she pleads him. Mwah-hah-hah, yet again. Bianca walks out in a huff and Cassio follows her. Othello falls in a trance. Word Count: 1445. Bianca is furious that Cassio has given her something that obviously came from another woman, a woman who is indeed a "hobby-horse" (another useful slang term for an Elizabethan harlot). Pretending to be supportive, Iago continues to wind up Othello about Desdemona and Cassio until Othello is so disturbed he collapses in an epileptic fit. Iago continues to torment Othello with vivid descriptions of Desdemona's alleged sexual activity until Othello blacks out. Othello asks Iago to go pay the captain of the ship who brought him to Cyprus. (4.1.265). Iago then announces his plan (to us, not Othello): he'll talk in veiled terms to Cassio about Bianca (the prostitute), whom Cassio takes very lightly. This revelation is too much for Othello, who becomes incoherent and faints. Desdemona is unstoppable in her pleas to Othello to restore Cassio to his position. ACT 4, SCENE 1. Every minute’s delay increased the risk that he would be exposed. Othello falls into a trance of rage, and Iago decides to hammer home his false ideas about his wife. In a conversation with Othello, Iago says that Cassio has confessed to sex with Desdemona. Othello slowly comes out of his fit. About “Othello Act 4 Scene 1” After a slow buildup, Iago tells Othello that Cassio has bragged about sleeping with Desdemona. Lodovico is shocked that Othello would injure his wife and behave so boorishly in public. Find a summary of this and each chapter of Othello! Iago then remarks that if he were to give his wife a handkerchief, it would be hers to do as she wished with it. A Level Othello (11) Act 4 Scene 1 (no rating) 0 customer reviews. Scene by Scene Synopsis. This leaves Lodovico free to imagine worse evils. He rages for a bit, and finally gets to talk of action. Desdemona turns for help to Iago, who reassures her. He won't chat with her about her offenses, as he's sure she'd be able to talk him out of her murder. Enter Iago and Othello. Iago then places Othello where e can see (But not hear) a conversation with Cassio about Bianca, telling Othello that the bawdy conversation is about Cassio and Desdemona. . The scene begins with Othello holding a candle, which he uses to construct a metaphor for killing Desdemona: if he puts out a light, he can put it on again, but if he snuffs out her life, he can't bring her back to life. Desdemona leaves, shell-shocked, and Othello stalks out, muttering "goats and monkeys!" Iago is playing mind games with Othello as usual, forcing him to imagine Desdemona and Cassio in bed together. Act 2, Scene 2: A Herald announces to the people of Cyprus a celebration of the dispersal of the Turkish fleet and of Othello's nuptials. The scene opens with Roderigo and Iago discussing the marriage of Othello to Desdemona. Iago then brings up the lost handkerchief, saying if he'd given it to a woman, it would be her possession, and she'd be free to give it to anyone she pleased. When Cassio comes back, Iago brings up Bianca, in all her pathetic ardor. He ponders upon her beauty and kisses her. Iago is enraged at his misfortunate and declares his hatred for the Moor. Summary: Act IV, scene i. Othello and Iago enter in mid-conversation. . Scene: Venice and Cyprus.. Act I, Scene 1: Roderigo, who has been courting Desdemona, is distressed at Iago’s news that she has eloped with Othello, a Moorish general in the service of Venice.lago, who is Othello's aide, assures Roderigo that he also hates the Moor because Othello has denied him a promotion that went instead to Cassio. When he comes round, Iago tells him to hide and listen as … Printable script of Othello by William Shakespeare. Othello then asks whether her honor could be given as freely, too. 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