Act IV, scene i: Cyprus. Iago then remarks that if he were to give his wife a handkerchief, it would be hers to do as she wished with it. Away! He asks her if she has seen Desdemona with Cassio, or if she has left her mistress's side. Desdemona declares she is his "true and loyal wife" (35) and drags out of him the accusations that she is "false as hell" (40), a "whore" (74), and a "public commoner" (75), that is, prostitute. @'tis not very well. Act 4, scene 3. These accusations are exaggerated, even for Othello, since he believes she has had an affair with Cassio, but in his fevered mind, and in that of many of Shakespeare's characters, there is no difference between an occasional adulterer and a full-time street prostitute. Desdemona asks Iago to convince him into the right path of thinkin… A room in the castle. (4.2.16-17), "if she be not honest, chaste, and true, / There's no man happy" (4.2.17-18), "She says enough; yet she's a simple bawd / That cannot say as much" (4.2.20-21), "This is a subtle whore, / A closet lock and key of villainous secrets / And yet she'll kneel and pray; I have seen her do't" (4.2.21-23), "What horrible fancy's this?" Iago calls Cassio in, while Othello hides; Iago speaks to Cassio of Bianca, but Othello, in his disturbed state, believes that Ca… Scene 2. Act 4 Scene 2 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. and any corresponding bookmarks? Roderigo allows himself to be persuaded. Act 4, Scene 2 of Shakespeare's OTHELLO, with notes, line numbers and search function. Othello, instead of reconsidering his accusations, is even more bitter about Desdemona, judging her to be so deceptive that she can sin and pray and convince everyone, even her maid, of her innocence. – Othello here tries to convince himself that he has to kill Desdemona, not out of revenge or jealousy but because it is the right thing to do to an adulteress, ‘else she’ll betray more men.’ Othello and Emilia are talking. Find a summary of this and each chapter of Othello! This is a subtle whore, A closet, lock and key, of villainous She tells him of the nobility of her lady. Wedding sheets are one of the major items in a well brought-up young woman's set of household linen that she brings to her marriage. Like and Subscribe! Summary. Find a summary of this and each chapter of Othello! Othello is now reduced to questioning his wife's maid, Emilia, looking for evidence of Desdemona's infidelity. Synopsis of Act 4 Scene 2 Othello interrogates Emilia to discover any evidence of misdemeanours between Desdemona and Cassio and does not believe her testimony that Desdemona is virtuous. Othello is trying, even after swearing that Desdemona was unfaithful, not to condemn her too harshly. Chapter Summary for William Shakespeare's Othello, act 5 scene 2 summary. / I understand a fury in your words. Act 4, scene 2 Themes and Colors Key LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Othello , which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Desdemona is sleeping on a bed. Emilia suspects that some villain has turned Othello against his wife and stirred up his jealousy. Emilia invites conversation, but her mistress, near to weeping but unable to do it, can only think of one course of action, the wedding sheets. Othello tries to get evidence of Desdemona's guilt from Emilia. She says that her sin is that she loved him. 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. Rodergio is beginning to have doubts about the plan and thinks he is being cheated, but Iago once again, convinces him everything will work out as planned as long as they kill Cassio Enter Desdemona. He is easily convinced and terribly jealous. Read the Summary Emilia is developing her theory about the person who is corrupting Othello's mind. But Othello does not seem to believe. (4.2.63-64), "I hope my noble lord esteems me honest" (4.2.65), "O, ay; as summer flies are in the shambles, / That quicken even with blowing" (4.2.66-67), "O thou weed, / Who art so lovely fair and smell'st so sweet / That the sense aches at thee, would thou hadst ne'er been born!" When Emilia returns with Desdemona, Othello sends Emilia to guard the door. (4.2.107-109), "What is your pleasure, madam? Act 4, Scene 2 Summary. He summons his wife, asking Emilia to leave, then confronts Desdemona and, despite her protestations of loyalty, calls her a whore. Act 4, scene 2 Themes and Colors Key LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Othello , which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. from your Reading List will also remove any This free study guide is stuffed with the juicy details and important facts you need to know. Detailed Summary of Othello, Act 4, Scene 2 Page Index: Enter Othello and Emilia. Desdemona is unstoppable in her pleas to Othello to restore Cassio to his position. Act II, scene ii: A street. This scene shows his weaknesses. Previous page Act 4, Scene 2, Page 9 Next page Act 4, Scene 2, Page 11. (4.2.70), "Was this fair paper, this most goodly book, / Made to write "whore" upon? He calls her whore and a faithless wench. bookmarked pages associated with this title. Emilia comes in, and Othello leaves. By putting the wedding sheets on the bed, Desdemona is symbolically trying to renew and strengthen the marriage and remind Othello that he too has duties of love. Re-enter Emilia with Iago. Othello Act 4, Scene 2 Seminar Plot Summary Elements of Tragic Hero Syllabus Theme of Jealousy RODERIGO CHARACTERIZATION Internal Conflict Tragic Flaw She says enough, yet she’s a simple bawd That cannot say as much. Othello tells her to bring Desdemona to him. What committed?" / But not the words" (4.2.31-33), "Your wife, my lord; your true / And loyal wife" (4.2.34-35), "To whom, my lord? How is't with you?" (4.2.128-129), "I will be hang'd, if some eternal villain, / Some busy and insinuating rogue, / Some cogging, slave, to get some office, / Have not devised this slander; I will be hang'd else" (4.2.130-133), "Fie, there is no such man; it is impossible" (4.2.134), "Some such squire he was / That turn'd your wit the seamy side without, / And made you to suspect me with the Moor" (4.2.145-147), "Alas, Iago, / What shall I do to win my lord again?" (4.2.25-26), "Some of your function, mistress; / Leave procreants alone and shut the door; / Cough, or cry "hem," if anybody come: / Your mystery, your mystery: nay, dispatch" (4.2.27-30), "Upon my knees, what doth your speech import? This is a subtle whore, A closet, lock and key, of villainous Start studying Othello - Key quotations for Act 4 scene 3. 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. But Othello does not seem to believe. In some ways, she really believes her husband is an honest man, although her opinion of men in general is not high. Our summary works through Act 2 scene-by-scene to guide you through the complex plot that drives Shakespeare’s Othello. Next. Othello tries to get evidence of Desdemona's guilt from Emilia. Act 4 Scene 2. He then questions Desdemona herself, calling her ‘Impudent strumpet!’ and ‘cunning whore of Venice’, but does … (126). He calls in Desdemona and rebukes her. Othello asks Iago to go pay the captain of the ship who brought him to Cyprus. Later, in a conversation with Iago, Roderigo confesses that he has had enough of his romantic quest and plans to withdraw. Test your knowledge Take the Act IV, scenes ii-iii Quick Quiz. Othello interrogates Emilia about Desdemona’s behavior, but Emilia insists that Desdemona has done nothing suspicious. (130), that is, nag him. The senate discuss the war with the Turks. © 2020 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. This page contains the original text of Othello Act 4, Scene 2.Shakespeare’s original Othello text is extremely long, so we’ve split the text into one Scene per page. away! Chapter Summary for William Shakespeare's Othello, act 5 scene 2 summary. Act 4, Scene 2 We open with Othello grilling Emilia, trying to get her to confess that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Iago makes a bold move, linking his two plots together: He urges Roderigo to kill Cassio, explaining that Cassio's death will prevent Othello being sent elsewhere and, therefore, keep Desdemona in Cyprus. Othello questions Emilia about Desdemona, but she assures him that nothing immodest has taken place between her mistress and Cassio. 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