Othello by William Shakespeare Interpretation of Act IV, Scene I

Summary Iago will joke with Cassio about the prostitute, Bianca, so that Cassio will laugh as he tells the story of Bianca’s pursuit of him. Othello will be driven mad, thinking that Cassio is joking with Iago about Desdemona. The plan works. Othello suggests that he will poison his wife, but Iago advises him to strangle her in the bed that she contaminated through her infidelity. Iago also promises to arrange Cassio’s death. Lodovico enters at the end of the scene with news that Othello has been called back to Venice and Cassio will be his replacement in Cyprus. When Desdemona hears the news, she expresses her happiness and Othello strikes her. Lodovico cannot believe that the Othello he has just seen is the same self-controlled m an he once knew.

Act IV, Scene I The Danger of Isolation--Theme Othello stands alone while Iago talks with Cassio. Othello is also isolated by his physical stature and the color of his skin. Quote [Aside] “By heaven, that should be my handkerchief!” (p.135)

Act IV, Scene I Unmanliness—Theme In other words, Iago is calling Othello unsoldierly/unmanly. Quote Iago calls Othello’s epileptic fit “a passion most unsuiting such a man.” (p. 132)

Act Iv, Scene i REVENGE—Theme Othello wants to murder his wife because he suspects she’s having an affair. Quotes “I will chop her into messes.” (p.138) “Get me some poison, Iago; this night.” (p. 138) “Do it not with poison; strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.” (p. 138)—Iago

Act IV, Scene I The Handkerchief—Symbol A symbol of Othello’s love to Desdemona. Othello sees the handkerchief as a symbol of Desdemona’s infidelity. Quote “Handkerchief—confessions—handkerchief!—To confess , and be hanged for his labour,--first, to be hanged, and then to confess.” (p.128)

Act Iv, scene i Animals—Motif Animal references are used with regard to Othello. They reflect the racism of characters in the play. Quotes Iago says, “He foams at mouth, and by and by Breaks out to savage madness.” (p. 129) Iago calls Othello an “old black ram.” (p. 134)

Act Iv, Scene i Figurative Language “She will sing the savageness out of a bear!” (p.137)—Metaphor Quotes “There, --give it your hobby-horse: wheresoever you had it.” (p.135)—Alliteration “Honest Iago.” (p.126)—Irony

Act Iv, Scene I Imagery While Othello is having an epileptic fit, Iago describes him as one would describe a wild animal. Quotes “The lethargy must have his quiet course: / If not, he foams at mouth, and by and by / Breaks out to savage madness. Look, he stirs: / Do you withdraw yourself a little while, / He will recover straight: when he is gone, / I would on great occasion speak with you.” (p.129)

Imagery Cassio is referring to Bianca Imagery Cassio is referring to Bianca. Readers imagine Bianca as a person who is stalking/haunting Cassio everywhere he goes. Quotes “She was here even now; she haunts me in every place.” (p. 134)

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