act 4 scene 1

scene summary? (4 points)

• iago tells othello that cassio and des had sex and othello falls in a trance

• cassio enters. iago tells him othello is in a seizure

• cassio talks about having sex with bianca and othello believes its about des

• othello lashes out at des

what does othello beating des in public contrast?

him calming down ‘the turk within’ his soldiers in act 2 scene 3

what does lodovico’s arrival from venice show?

how othello has given in to ‘savage madness’

what relates to appearance vs reality in this scene?

cassio being framed for cheating

what relates to the theme of sight and blindness in this scene?

othello watches cassio’s supposed confession as he is obsessed with appearances

quote relating to othello’s changing emotions around des? how so?

‘i would most gladly have forgot [the handkerchief]’ - would forget loving des to avoid the pain of losing her

structure of othello’s speaking in this scene? significance?

more frantic short sentences rather than articulate speeches - fall from grace

iago while othello is in a trance: ‘work on, my medicine, work’ - significance?

irony - medicine should cure but iago only makes othello worse

quote showing othello’s self hate for being cheated on?

‘a horned man’s a monster and beast’ - horned means cuckold

who is bianca? (3 points)

• cassio’s lover

• prostitute

• shown in a less sympathetic light than other females

quotes from cassio about bianca showing his dislike for her? (2 points)

• calls her ‘monkey’

• ‘she haunts me’

othello: ‘my heart is turned to stone; i strike it and it hurts my hand’. significance?

metaphor - denying his love for des is painful

quote showing othello’s hate for des and savagery?

‘i will chop her into messes’

quote from othello after hitting des that ‘justifies’ him?

‘each [tear]drop she falls would prove a crocodile’ - dramatic irony

quote from lodovico showing the contrast between venice and cyprus? (hint: after othello hits des)

‘this would not be believed in venice’