ACT+4

Act 4 "Green eyed monster shows itself"

Scene 1- Shakespeare starts Act 4 with a private conversation between Iago and Othello. The pair are discussing Desdemona's supposed affair with Cassio. Othello is still upset that Cassio has the handkerchief Othello gave Desdemona. His outrage grows when Iago tells Othello that Cassio has told Iago that he slept with Desdemona. This latest news puts Othello in a trance and Cassio enters as Othello is incapacitated. Iago tells Cassio to leave, and shortly after Othello awakes. Again, Iago plays the situation to work for his benefit. Iago advises Othello to hide while he talks to Cassio. Hiding away, Othello hears Cassio talking about a woman who is in love with him. Cassio goes into detail about her and calls her a whore. Othello is unaware that Cassio is really talking about Bianca, the town prostitute, and not Desdemona. Mid-conversation Bianca enters holding Othello's handkerchief. She is outraged that Cassio wants her to copy a pattern that belongs to another woman. On the other hand, Othello is outraged that she, a promiscuous lady, has his wife's handkerchief. Cassio and Bianca agree to have dinner and both exit. Iago and Othello discuss the previous events and Othello's anger. Othello informs Iago that he is going to kill Desdemona that night with poison. Iago tells him that strangling her in her bed would be far more justified. Once this is decided a trumpet is heard, and Lodovico and Desdemona enter. Lodovico is Desdemona's cousin and he hands Othello a piece of paper straight from Venice. As Othello begins to read the page Desdemona tells Lodovico of the argument between Cassio and Othello. The letter tells Othello that Cassio will be appointed governor of Cyprus and Othello will return to Venice. Mixing emotions from both the letter and Desdemona's conversation, Othello talks harshly to Desdemona. Othello still believes that Desdemona has cheated him, and as she talks highly of Cassio, Othello becomes more and more angry. His anger builds until he strikes Desdemona, who shortly after exits. Lodovico, unaware of anything that has occurred, questions Othello's actions. Once Othello exits after Desdemona, Lodovico asks Iago if this is how Othello normally behaves. Iago said that this behavior has become normal and that Lodovico should watch Othello in the coming days to see just how emotional he becomes.

Scene 2- Othello and Emilia start the scene by talking about Desdemona. Othello is inquiring if Emilia ever saw Desdemona and Cassio together. Emilia swears that she has never seen them talking out of the ordinary and she has always been present for their conversations. Even with Emilia's sworn testimony Othello is convinced that Desdemona has become a whore. Emilia fetches Desdemona for Othello and they converse. Upon the request of Othello, Emilia leaves the room. After Emilia's departure, Desdemona pleads with Othello to tell her what is bothering him. She continually swears that she is true and loyal, despite Othello's rash comments and accusations. Othello again exits leaving everyone confused at the origin of his rage. Emilia and Desdemona are both stunned at this outburst and wonder what could be ailing the mind of Othello. In order to console Desdemona, Emilia fetches Iago. During the conversation between the three, Emilia rants about the kind of man that would tell Othello that Desdemona has cheated. Iago tells her to shut up as she calls him a "villainous knave" along with many other insults. Overhearing trumpets calling them to dinner, Desdemona and Emilia exit and leave Iago alone. Shortly after the exit of the women, Roderigo enters. Roderigo has come with concern to speak to Iago. He feels that Iago has been treating him unfairly and tricking him. Roderigo convinces him, again, to be part of his plot. Iago promises that if Roderigo is not sleeping with Desdemona by the next day, Roderigo can kill Iago. Roderigo is convinced and agrees to kill Cassio that night.

Scene 3- The final scene of Act 4 begins with Othello, Lodovico, Desdemona, and Emilia walking together. Lodovico excuses himself to sleep and Othello sends Desdemona and Emilia to bed. He instructs Desdemona to send Emilia away. As the ladies prepare for bed, Desdemona tells Emilia about a maid they once had named Barbary. Barbary knew an old song called "Willow" which she was singing while she died. Desdemona tells Emilia that all she can think about is that song. Desdemona begins to sing the verses and then the two talk about cheating on their husbands. Desdemona said that she never could cheat on Othello, while Emilia says that she would be able to.