Othello Act 4 Scene 2 (add quotes from Iago and Roderigo exchange?)

Heaven doth truly know it. / Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell

D’s response when Othello asks if she is honest / his response. Use of anaphora suggest Othello is almost mocking or belittling her. Semantic field of religion and oxymoron of “Heaven” and “hell” within the same sentence could be used to reflect opposing ideas about Desdemona and Othello’s morality.

wager she is honest Lay down my soul at stake

Emelia towards the start of the scene wagering that Desdemona is honest. Reference to her “soul” perhaps foreshadows how she will become tangled up in this scheme surrounding Desdemona’s honesty ultimately at her own expense. This scene also starts in media res, mid-conversation with Othello and Emelia - could argue this was rather improper for Othello to be speaking to his wife’s ladies maid about his wife’s morality etc. Could argue that just as Iago’s poison infects Othello, Desdemona’s goodness strengthens Emelia’s resolve

thou young and rose-lipped cherubin, Ay, there, look grim as hell!

Othello depicting D simultaneously as both vulnerable, young and innocent and sinful. Suggests a level of internal conflict within Othello as he grapples with the idea of Desdemona’s infidelity. Also could link to other quotes (e.g. “balmy breath”) where Desdemona’s beauty, innocent appearance, etc causes Othello to question whether she is truly immoral (link to physiognomy?)

I took you for that cunning whore of Venice That married with Othello

Othello cunning whore quote. Almost like a title, could link to stereotypes about Venetian women. Use of third person could indicate a wish to detach himself from the situation, disassociate himself from their marriage

Prithee, tonight, Lay on my bed my wedding sheets

Desdemona wanting her wedding sheets. Could be seen as an attempt to return to newly-wed bliss. However, could also be another example of Desdemona’s innocence and naivety - wedding sheets associated with consummation of marriage, therefore the wedding sheets could serve as a reminder of Desdemona’s sexuality to Othello

I will be hanged if some eternal villain… some cogging, cozening slave, to get some office Have not devised this slander

Emelia when talking with Iago and Desdemona, expressing certainty that the whole plot has been devised by one person to get ahead. Dramatic irony as we know that this person is Iago, obv her husband but also present in the scene (he denies that anything has been orchestrated - “IT IS IMPOSSIBLE”). Emelia repeats “I will be hanged” - conveys an intense level of emotion (loyalty to her mistress) but also certainty. Semantic field of villainy, alliteration creates a furious tone.

Heaven pardon him!

Desdemona’s response to if there is anyone who has devised this plot as Emelia suggested. Again dramatic irony, as we know that this is Iago who is right there with her in the scene. Essentially pardoning Iago, with the use of exclamatory suggesting a level of sincerity behind Desdemona’s forgiveness. Further highlighting how her good, noble nature persists and juxtaposing the foul language Othello has just used to describe her

I cannot say “whore”: It does abhor me now

Desdemona talking about how she can’t say “whore”. An almost hyperbolic representation of her innocence, with the use of internal rhyme furthering this as it’s as if she doesn’t realise that she’s almost saying the word again?