Othello Quotes Act 4

'Or to be naked with her friend in bed

An hour or more, not meaning any harm ?'

Iago 4.1

- Iago says that he knows Desdemona and Cassio slept together naked but pretends to want to give them the benefit of the doubt and says that it may not mean Desdemona cheated on Othello.

- He puts on an act of a friend who is trying to reassure and comfort Othello but he is really putting images of a naked Desdemona with a naked Cassio into Othello's mind to provoke his jealousy and anger.

"'tis hers, my lord, and being hers / She may, I think, bestow't on any man"

Iago 4.1

- Iago says that since the handkerchief is now Desdemona's that it is hers to give away , he is pretending to be defending her by saying it may mean nothing but really he just wants to keep repeating the word handkerchief as he knows how important it is to Othello and that the thoughts of her giving it away will drive him mad with jealousy.

- he continues to poison Othello's mind with these deliberate references to the Cassio having the handkerchief and Desdemona sleeping with Cassio. He knows these things will trigger a jealous rage, he is pushing Othello to act out revenge and have them killed as he swore at the end of 3.3. If Othello does not do this his schemes and deceit and lies will be discovered.

- he pretends to be doing his best to comfort Othello but he really wants to make his intensify inner turmoil and torture his agonised mind more.

‘Her honour is an essence that's not seen

They have it very oft that have it not’

Iago 4.1

- Othello then asks Iago if she can also give away her honour ( by being unfaithful ) He is preoccupied by the need to protect honour , a persons public reputation.

- Iago replies that a person's honour is invisible and that many people are considered honest and honourable when they are not

- this statement applies well to Iago himself and reminds us of his statement in 1.1 that 'is ma not what I am' and his statement to Cassio in 2.3 that many people have a good reputation but do not deserve it.

- appearance and reality/ deception

"By heaven, I would most gladly have forgot it"

'O it comes o'er my memory

As doth a raven o'er an infectious house'

Othello 4.1

- Othello says he wishes he could put the idea of Desdemona giving her handkerchief to Cassio out of his mind. It sticks in his mind in the same way as a raven hovers over a plague house. He is saying that just as the Raven was a sign of illness and misfortune in people's lives the fact that Desdemona handkerchief away is a sign that she is unfaithful , their love is dead and his life is destroyed.

"What if I said I had seen him do you wrong? Or heard him say

As knaves ......cannot choose but they ,just blab'

-Iago 4.1

- Iago now tells a new lie that plays on Othello's fears about his reputation.

- he says that he has heard Cassio bragging and boasting about his affair with Desdemona

-planting ideas and manipulating Othello , preying on his weaknesses.

"Lie- With her, on her, what you will"

-Iago 4.1

- Othello asks what Cassio has said , Iago only says vague things to allow Othello's fevered mind imagine the worst possible things

- his use of the word lie means to lie in bed with Desdemona but also hints at the lies Iago is spreading.

‘Handkerchief -confessions- handkerchief............I tremble at it..........pish! Noses, ears and lips. is' this possible? Confess? Handkerchief ? O devil !'

Othello 4.1

- Othello's mind and composure breaks down even more with the thoughts of Cassio's boasting and his public humiliation as well as Desdemona's infidelity as represented by his belief she has given the handkerchief to Cassio. He is reduced to an incoherent wreck.

- the reference to 'noses, ears and lips' shows his worry that people are gossiping about his marriage and Desdemona;s supposed infidelity and affair. He is very concerned about his reputation and his honour.

- His disjointed, short and broken up language reflects the 'chaos' and 'disorder' that have taken over his mind and thoughts under the pressure of the 'green eyed monster' that is jealousy and eats him up or consumes his mind.

- he struggles to speak coherently

‘Work on, My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught; And many worthy and chaste dames even thus, All guiltless, meet reproach.’

-Iago 4.1

- Othello collapses ground as his overstressed mind is overwhelmed by extreme distress and agitation and he loses consciousness. He is reduced to a gibbering animal having a fit. The mental agony and pain that a jealous mind creates is too much for him in this moment. We see how jealousy tortures and torment the once composed and unflappable general. Jealousy is revealed as a disease of the mind , as a 'green eyed monster' that warps how you see everything and cause you to suffer intensely.

- Iago enjoys the moment. He gloats and takes perverse pleasure in seeing Othello suffer. He shows no remorse or care and is cold hearted and cruel. He mocks how Othello is a fool to believe him 'credulous fool' and his claims about his pure and innocent wife, He delights in how his 'medicine' has poisoned Othello's mind and temper and how his plan has succeeded.

- as he stands over Othello he relishes the moment as one of triumph and power. The helpless Othello seems completely at the mercy of this despicable and merciless psychopath.

"he foams at mouth and by and by breaks out to savage madness"

-Iago 4.1

- Cassio comes along and expresses concern for Othello

- Iago tells him that he has had a number of fits where he speaks in mad and insane ways , he asks Cassio to go but come back soon as he wants to talk with him. He has come up with a plan to drive Othello even more jealous and incensed.

- Iago is using the moment to spread the idea that Othello has gone mad. This will be an insurance policy against anything that Othello might say that may make people suspect him of causing any trouble. He can tell people that Othello has gone mad.

- masterful manipulator and improviser who turns events to his advantage.

'A horned man's a monster and a beast'

Othello 4.1

- Othello has just recovered from his fit and accused Iago of mocking him. He is embarrassed by his loss of control and very conscious that any failings of his may be seized upon by a society that is ready to mock and despise him due to the widespread racist prejudice that exists.

- he then says a 'horned man' ( a man whose wife cheats on him/ a cuckold might grow horns it was believed ) is a monster and a beast.

- we see Othello is very concerned for his reputation and fears Desdemona's infidelity would ruin his reputation and his authority as a general as a nobleman and he would grow horns that would be seen by all and he would be humiliated.

- so jealousy will turn him into an angry beast who is driven mad as he loses his mind due to fears for his reputation, his injured pride and his intense love for Desdemona.

'There's millions now alive

That nightly lie in those unproven beds'

Iago 4.1

- Iago tells Othello that millions of married men have unfaithful wives

- he tells Othello that he is luckier than most men , at least he is certain his wife is unfaithful

- Iago's misogynistic and negative view of women as untrustworthy , disloyal and promiscuous and lustful.

' O, thou art wise, 'Tis certain'

Othello 4.1

- Othello asks if Cassio confessed his affair

- Iago has replied that most married men have wives that have affairs

- Othello accepts his views and seems to think that Iago has a better understanding of the social world and relationships than he does.

- Othello is becoming dependent on Iago's opinions and judgements.

- Iago is gaining complete control over him and ruling his actions and thoughts.

- his lost faith in Desdemona has made him confused and not sure what to think or who to trust , the only person he relies on now is his supposedly loyal friend Iago.

- in this scene Iago is now in charge and Othello follows his lead. This reverses their roles from earlier in the play and is shown by the way Othello asks Iago questions while Iago tells Othello what to do.

"Stand you awhile apart....... Do but enclave yourself

And mark the flyers , the jibes and notable scorns

That dwell in every region of his face

For i will make him tell the tale anew

Where, how,, how oft , how long ago, and when

He hath and is again to cope, your wife

Iago 4.1

- Iago told Cassio Ito leave and come back when he came upon Othello during his fit.

— He advises othello to hide himself and watch Cassio's face while he talks with him. He says he will get him to talk about Desdemona and how and where he has been sleeping with her. He tells Othello to watch as he laughs and jokes and mocks Desdemona. Othello will not be able to hear them.

Othello agrees to hide and eavesdrop.. He is following iago's directions and we see how he has changed and been degraded and debased. The once open and straightforward Othello who refused to hide in 1.2 and said he had nothing to hide in 1.3 is no a paranoid, skulking sneak who hides in the shadows to spy imperfectly on others.

'He when he hears of her, cannot restrain

From the excess of laughter '

' As he shall smile , Othello shall go mad'

Iago 4.1

- As Othello goes to hide Iago tells the audience that he will get Cassio to talk about Bianca but Othello will think he is talking about Desdemona. He says that Cassio always laughs about Bianca as he does not respect her. He says that the way he acts while talking about Bianca will infuriate Othello.

- Iago also says that 'unbookish jealousy will make ' Othello misinterpret what happens 'quite in the wrong'. Jealousy makes people see things that are not there or misinterpret things in the light of jealous fears and suspicions.

- Iago improvises here after Cassio's appearance.

- He wants to keep Othello furious as he is capable of acting rashly and too quickly when he os overwhelmed by destructive passion like anger, it overrules his normally wise and sensible mind.

- He wants to push Othello to have Cassio and Desdemona killed.

- evil mastermind and manipulator.

'Now if this suit lay in Bianca's power

How quickly should you speed' Iago

'Alas poor caitiff!' Cassio

'Alas poor rogue ! I think i'Faith she loves me.' Cassio

Iago and Cassio 4.1

- Iago asks if Desdemona has managed to get him restored to his post.

- He then says that Bianca had the power to speak with Othello that he would already have been reinstated.

- He does this to encourage Cassio to mock her.

- he says that he thinks Bianca loves him and Cassio who is sleeping with Bianca laughs at the idea that he could have a relationship with a low class prostitute like Bianca.

- Cassio calls her 'caitiff' ( poor fool) and 'rogue' ( outcast ) - he speaks of her with contempt. We expect Cassio to be courteous with women. It seems he is only courteous with women of the same social class as him or maybe his courtesy is just for show to protect his image and reputation.

- he was rude and dismissive to Bianca in 3.4

- mistreatment of women and imbalance of power between men and women

'She haunts me in every place ......the bauble

So hangs and lolls and weeps upon me , so shakes

And pulls me - ha, ha ,ha !'

'Tis such a filches! Marry , a perfumed one. '

Cassio 4.1

- Iago has told him that Bianca would like to marry him. Cassio laughs contemptuously at the idea and says he would not be so stupid to do so.

- He now laughs about and complains about the way she follows him around and hangs out of him. He calls her a 'bauble ' which means a worthless toy. He is just using her as a play thing to satisfy his appetite and then mocks her behind her back.

- Othello sees him laughing in a mocking way and thinks he is boasting about sleeping with Desdemona and making fun of her - he swears revenge

- mistreatment if women - he thinks about her in a very demeaning way , uses her to satisfy his appetites and then wants to discard her - this reminds us of Emilia's statement in 3.4 'Men are but stomachs and we food, they belch us when full'

'That you should

Find it in your chamber and know not who left tit there.

This is some minx's token'

Bianca 4.1

- Bianca enters complaining about the job of copying the handkerchief that Cassio gave her. She is carrying the handkerchief in her hand.

- she says that she does not believe he just found it in his room and that she thinks he must have been given it by another woman.

- we see how Bianca's jealous mind leads her to imagine things that are not true and have not happened. Her mind like Othello's is infected by jealousy.

‘Faith I must , she'll rail in the streets else’

Cassio 4.1

- Bianca rushes off in a temper and Cassio says he must follow her to calm her down and stop her from shout abuse about him in public. He is always extremely concerned about his reputation and public image.

"By heaven, that should be my handkerchief!"

-Othello 4.1

- Othello sees the handkerchief and this is the 'ocular proof' that he demanded in 3.3. It takes away all doubt in his mind and he is now convinced and certain that Desdemona is unfaithful with Cassio.

- this was a bit of luck for Iago and his scheme.

‘How shall I murder him, Iago ?’

Othello 4.1

- Othello is furious and certain that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair.

- When he is angry he acts rashly and too quickly.

- when he is certain he likes to act decisively and firmly.

- this means he is now determined to murder Cassio

- his reliance and trust in Iago is shown by the fact that he asks his advice on how to kill Cassio., Iago rules his mind, thoughts and actions now.

'And to see how he prizes the foolish woman your wife.

She gave it him , and he hath given it his ***** '

Iago 4.1

- Iago keeps feeding Othello's anger and jealousy. He points out that he doesn't even care about Desdemona and she is sleeping with him. He says that he has given the precious handkerchief to a prostitute.

- he is implying that he is treating Desdemona like a prostitute and Desdemona is happy to be treated like that as she is so lustful and lecherous.

- he did not expect Bianca to come along with the handkerchief bit he makes the most of y]the unexpected moment and shows his skill for turning events to his best advantage.

'I would have him 9 years a-killing. A fine woman

A fair woman , a sweet woman. Othello

'Nay , you must forget that ' Iago

Othello 4.1

- Othello says he wishes he could kill Cassio slowly over 9 years so he would suffer terribly.

- Othello's anger and hate for Desdemona is mixed up with some remaining love. He is angry that Cassio could treat Desdemona so badly and feelings of love.\

- He says that Desdemona is a fine woman and a sweet woman and that she should not be treated so badly.

- Othello's confused unstable and unbalanced mind switches between love and hate for Desdemona, he feels conflicted emotions of hate and love. Love for Desdemona still lives within him when his jealous anger does not overwhelm him.

- This is a problem and a worry for Iago. He needs Othello to act out of jealous rage and hatred and kill them so that his lies and manipulation is not uncovered. He tells Othello to forget any feelings he once had for Desdemona.

'Ay let her rot and perish, and be damned tonight, for she shall not live.

No my heart is turned to stone....O the world hath not a sweeter creature ' O

'Nay that's not your way' Iago

'Hang her, I do but say what she is - so delicate, an admirable musician , so high and plenteous of wit and invention' O

Othello 4.1

- Othello then says that he wants Desdemona killed tonight so that her evil soul can be sent to hell and that he feels nothing for her anymore but then his deep, buried love for her returns and he says she is the most sweet woman in the world.

- Iago reminds him to ignore such feelings and focus on his hate, anger and rage. We see him controlling Othello's emotions and pushing him to commit his bloody and violent revenge.

'O Iago, the pity of it, , Iago'

Othello 4.1

- Othello is determined to have Cassio killed but when he thinks of killing Desdemona his resolve and determination grows weaker. It is less easy for him to decide to kill Desdemona, the part of him that loves her is reluctant and he hesitates to agree that she should be killed.

'If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her patent to offend, for if it touch not you it comes near nobody.'

Iago 4.1

- Iago says if he loves her sinfulness and betrayal and it does not matter to him he should give her permission to cheat on him with other men.

- Iago fans the flames of his jealousy and hatred and anger to push him to act. It is unlikely that Othello would have committed the acts without Iago;s urgings, he is reluctant but he allows himself to be persuaded due to his weaknesses so ultimately he is responsible although Iago tempts him and puts ideas in his head.

"I will chop her into messes. Cuckold me!"

-Othello 4.1

- This reminder of of her infidelity and suggestion that she will continue cheating on him with other men pushes Othello over the edge as Iago intended and in a fit of rage he declares he will not only kill her but chop her body up. We see how anger rage can lead Othello to an impulse of violent action. Strong emotion overrules his better judgement , clouds his thinking and warps his mind.

"Get me some poison, Iago, this night. I'll not expostulate / with her, lest her body and beauty unprovide my / mind again. This night, Iago."

-Othello 4.1

- Othello asks Iago to get him poison so he can kill her without seeing her as he is worried that if he sees her his determination will become weakened and he might not be able to kill her.

‘Do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated.’

Iago 4.1

- We can see how much Iago is in control of Othello when he tells him that he should strangle Desdemona in he bed where she betrayed him with Cassio.

- This is the high point of Iago's power and influence over the distressed, jealous, tormented and confused Othello.

‘Good, good , the justice of it pleases , very good’

Othello's 4.1

- This idea appeals to Othello who thinks of himself as a virtuous man, a righteous man, a moral man and he likes to think of himself as an agent of justice. Believing the murder to be a just punishment will allow Othello to commit the deed.

'And for Cassio let me be his undertaker.'

Iago 4.1

- Iago promises that he will kill Cassio this night.

- This is pushing Othello to kill Desdemona this night as well.

‘God save the worthy general!’

Lodovico 4.1

- Lodovico a nobleman from Venice and a cousin of Desdemona arrives with news.

- He enters with Desdemona.

- He greets Othello with respect and praise that reminds us of the composed and confident leader we met at the start of the play. This reminds us how far he has fallen and how he has been corrupted and debased by Iago and the jealousy he has incited and provoked in him.

'And what's the news, good cousin Lodovico ?' D

' I am glad to see you, signor , welcome to Cyprus.' I

Desdemona and Iago 4.2

- When Desdemona asks Lodivico the news from Venice Iago talks over her and Lodivico answers him instead of her.

- This shows us how women are considered inferior and secondary to men. They are not considered to be the equal of men. ( Sexist and patriarchal world)

‘I would do much

To atone them, for the love I bear to Cassio' Desdemona

'Fire and brimstone !' Othello

'Are you wise?' Othello

Desdemona

Othello 4.1

- Lodivico asks about Cassio and Desdemona says that he and Othello have fallen out but that she wishes she could bring them back together and heal the rift due to the affection she fees for Cassio.

- Othello overhears this and misinterprets it as a confession that she loves Cassio.

- He is infuriated by this and it makes him think of hell fire and brimstone' because she is such a shameless and evil sinner. The fact that othello's language is now full of infernal references points to his corruption and the fact he is now ruled by evil impulses.

- He asks her if she has lost her mind.

'By my troth I am glad on't'

'I am glad to see you mad'

'Why sweet Othello'

'Devil!'

Othello 4.1

- When Othello reads out from the letter Lodovico has delivered from Venice that he is being called back to Venice and that Cassio is to replace him as commander in Cyprus Desdemona say that the news makes her happy.

- She is happy that she is returning home to Venice but Othello thinks she is saying he is happy for Cassio.

- The idea that she is happy that Cassio s taking her place in Cyprus trigger his anger about his belief that Cassio has taken his place as her lover.

- Othello gets visibly angry , tells he she is crazy and when she calls him sweet Othello he calls her a devil and in a fit of fury strikes Desdemona in the face.

- mistreatment and abuse of women.

"I have not deserved this'

- Desdemona 4.1

- Desdemona in shock quietly tells Othello that he has no reason to strike her.

- This is a very passive reaction and a limited protest.

It also suggests that men have the right to strike women if they have a good reason

- Mistreatment and powerlessness of women

'My lord, this would not be believed in Venice

Though I should swear I saw't

Make amends , she weeps'

Lodovico 4.1

- Lodovico is shocked and says that if he had not seen it with his own eyes that he would not have believed that Othello could do such a thing.

- He points out that she is crying and that Othello should apologise.

- This tells us how much Othello has hanged and how out of character it is for him. It is considered unbelievable.

- Lodovico' S protests are mild and no one goes to help Desdemona.

‘O devil, devil! If that the earth could teem with woman's tears, each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. Out of my sight!’

Othello 4.1

- Othello does not believe her tears are real, he believes she is acting to win sympathy. - He thinks she knows very well why he struck her and that he was right to do so because she is false and evil.

- he speaks to her in a very cruel and abusive manner.

- He says they are 'crocodile tears' which means false tears by a dangerous and untrustworthy and destructive person who hurts others while pretending to care about them.

- He orders her to go in a rude and commanding way. He expects her to follow his direction. Iago has ordered Emilia around, Cassio has ordered Emilia. Men expect to have power over women and for women too obey them. They are expected to be docile and deferential.

- Mistreatment and powerlessness of women.

'I will not stay to offend you'' Desdemona

'What would you with her , sir?'Othello

'truly an obedient lady ' Lodovico

4.2

- Desdemona obeys him without hesitation even after he has mistreated her so badly in public. She is meek and subservient. She does not defend herself and accepts his authority over her.

- Lodovico asks Othello to call her back after praising how obedient Desdemona is , Othello calls her back and asks Lodovico what he wants with her.

'What would you with her, Sir?'

'Ay you did wish that I would make her turn. Get you away '

'O well painted passion ' 'crocodile tears'

Othello 4.1

- Othello humiliates Desdemona by ordering her around while he suggests she is a prostitute and asking Lodovico if he wants her to sleep with him.

- Desdemona is still weeping and Othello says it is a fake performance.

- He harshly and rudely orders her to leave again.

'You are welcome, sir , to Cyprus. Goats and monkeys!'

Othello 4.1

- When Othello leaves he shouts out 'Goats and Monkeys' which reminds us of the time in 3.3 when Iago suggests that Desdemona and Cassio are so full of lust they are having sex like animals.

- This suggests how Othello sees the world as full of infidelity driven by lust. He no longer believes love and loyalty is exists in the world.

- This shows us how Othello is now thinking and speaking like Iago. His mind has been polluted and corrupted and degraded.

‘Is this the noble Moor whom our full senate

Call all in all sufficient? Is this the nature

Whom passion could not shake , whose solid virtue

The shot of accident nor dart of chance

Could neither graze nor pierce?’

Lodovico 4.1

- Lodovico cannot believe how different Othello is now. He asks if he is the same man who was considered to be someone who was always in control and was unflappable and calm and together. He says that Othello was believed to be a man whose moral control could not be shaken by bad luck, difficulty or strong emotion.

- Othello is a military commander and in charge of law and order yet he behaves now in an unjust manner. He has a reputation for the respectful, reasonable and restrained behaviour we saw him show in act 1 scene 1.

- Othello has been transformed into a ranting, unstable , violent and unjust man by the destructive power of jealousy and Iago's malicious manipulation.

- Othello's reputation is lost now. He has lost the respect of others that he cares so much about.

"He is much changed."

Iago 4.1

- Lodovico has asked Iago if Othello has lost his mind and gone mad.

- Iago simply says that he is very different.

- it is emphasised to the audience §§how he has been dramatically transformed for the worse by Iago's influence and the 'green eye'd monster' of jealousy.

- He again plays the role of the reluctant truth teller.

'I may not breathe my censure What he might be '

Faith that was not so well , yet would I knew

That strike would prove the worst'

'You shall observe him

And his own courses will denote him so

That I may save my speech '

Iago 4.1

- Iago says that he does not want to say anymore about how Othello is behaving or what he has become but he says that he cannot say that the striking of Desdemona is the worst thing he has done.

- Again he pretends not to want to speak badly about someone but gives a vague hint that allows the listener to imagine the worst things possible. He knows that they will imagine things that are far worse than any specific thing that he might tell them.

- He pretends to be a concerned friend who does not want to bad mouth Othello but is worried about him. This means he is more likely to be believed and not suspected of being a bad minded trouble make out to cause people harm.

- He implies that this outburst is not just a once off but an example of typical behaviour by Othello now , and he hints the Othello may have done worse.

- He tells Lodovico to watch Othello knowing that he is behaving very strangely and erratically as he is in the grip of a furious jealousy that is trusting his mind and character.

- He wants others to think the worst of Othello so that they will blame him for the murders that are about to happen and no one will believe a word he says after.

"I am sorry that I am deceived in him."

Lodovico Act 4 Scene 1

- Lodovico says that he had a false idea of Othello who deceived him about his character,.

- It is ironic that he says this to Iago who has deceived everyone and fooled everyone about who he is in reality.

- Appearance and reality.

'You have seen nothing then ?' Othello

'Nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect' Emilia

Othello and Emilia 4.2

- Othello is questioning Emilia about what she has seen and knows about time that Desdemona has spent with Cassio.

"I durst, my lord, to wager she is honest,/Lay down my soul at stake.

If you think other , remove your thought ; it doth abuse your blossom.

If any wretch ha' pity this in your head

Let heaven require it with the serpents curse'

'For if she be not honest,chaste and true theres no man happy'

Emilia 4.2

- Emilia shows shows that she is loyal to Desdemona and admires her and cares about her. She defends her honour strongly and bravely in this scene and in the rest of the play. She says she would bet her soul on the fact that Desdemona is faithful.

- She insists that Desdemona has not done anything wrong or behaved inappropriately with Cassio.

- She has told him that they have never been alone together.

- She goes further than just answering his questions as she would be expected to do and boldly tells him that she is loyal and honest and that if he thinks anything else he should put it out of his mind.

- She even says that if anyone has told him Desdemona has cheated on him that person is a liar and they should be cursed by heaven.

- She tells him that Desdemona is the most true, trustworthy and pure wife alive.

- This emphasises that Othello has no reason to doubt her loyalty to him and show how jealous feelings warps a mind and makes them see and imagine things that do not exist and interpret innocent things in a dark and twisted way.

"simple bawd [...] A closet lock and key of villainous secrets"

-Othello 4.2

- Othello does not believe her and tells her to get Desdemona so he can talk with her.

- He does not believe Emilia's defence of Desdemona and is unconvinced by what she said to him. He thinks she is hiding the truth from him and keeps Desdemona vile secrets.

- His jealous mind now sees Desdemona as a prostitute and imagines her room is a brothel and Emilia is her pimp 'bawd'.

- We can see how his mind is poisoned by jealousy and anger and it transforms how he perceives and views the world.

'My lord, what is your will?'

'What is your pleasure?'

Desdemona 4.2

- Desdemona is polite and respectful despite how Othello hit and humiliated her in the previous scene.

"Someone of your function mistress"

-Othello 4.2

- Othello shouts at Emilia to close the door and warn them if someone is coming as she usually does as pat of her role in along Desdemona to meet. With customers.

- disrespectful despite her respectfulness , he is hinting that Desdemona acts like a prostitute sleeping with many men apart from him.

- Othello then stares angrily at her.

"Upon my knee, what doth your speech import,

I understand a fury in your words, but not the words"

Desdemona 4.2

- When Othello speaks badly of Desdemona, Desdemona tells him that she knows he's angry, but not why he's angry. Her words convey her confused innocence.

- She is respectful and courteous, despite his irrational behaviour and insulting accusations she remains totally loyal and devoted to him.

- the fact that she is kneeling shows she plays the role expected of women to be docile, deferential and subordinate to men. She puts herself in a lower position than her husband and does not Stand up for herself very strongly.

- mistreatment and powerlessness of women.

'Your wife, my lord, your true and loyal wife'

Desdemona 4.2

- Othello asks Desdemona what she is

- Desdemona tells him she is his true and loyal wife

'Come , swear it, damn thyself....swear thou art honest'

' be doubly damned swear thou art honest'

Othello 4.2

= Othello thinks she is lying and demands that she swear that she is his loyal wife. He says if she does she will damn herself to hell because she lies about her sins and so cannot be forgiven by God.

- He associates her with hell because he thinks she is evil and immoral.

- he does not believe her protestations of innocence.

- he is certain she is guilty and has condemned her in his own head.

'Heaven doth truly know it'

Desdemona 4.2

- Desdemona swears by heaven and says that god knows she is an honest and true wife.

- Religious imagery and heavenly imagery is associated with Desdemona to emphasise her virtue, goodness and innocence.

"Heaven truly knows that thou art false as hell"

-Othello 4,2

- Othello tells her he does not believe her and that she is more guided by the devil and destined to go to hell because of her awful actions and sinful behaviour. She has sworn falsely which is a great sin in Othello's eyes.

( weeping) ' Ah, Desdemona, away,away,away!'

Othello 4.2

- Desdemona defends herself and asks who he thinks she has cheated on him-

- Othello is in agony and suffering terribly because he believes Desdemona has betrayed him and their love. Even though he is deluded his pain is real.

- When she denies his accusations of infidelity he is heartbroken as he thinks she is determined to lie and deceive him and will never be honest with him.

'Alas the heavy day, why do you weep?

Am I the motive of these tears, my lord?'

Desdemona 4.2

- When she sees Othello crying in distress Desdemona shows continued love and concern for him even though he has treated her so badly and unfairly.

'But alas to make me

The fixed figure for the time of scorn'

Othello 4.2

- Othello says that he could endure and calmly cope with any troubles and difficulties except for infidelity and the way it will make him a laughing stock and destroy his reputation.

'Where either i must live, or bear no life

The fountain from the which my current runs

Or else dries up '

Othello 4.2

- He goes onto say that his marriage to Desdemona was the most important thing in his life and his happiness depended entirely on it and that Desdemona was the fountain where he imagined his happiness would be born.

- his love is very extreme , he pins all his hopes and his sense of self esteem on her. This may be because when he married her he finally felt he had found acceptance and love in the racist and often dismissive and derogatory society of Venice where he was always made to feel an outsider despite the admiration for his achievements. She is the focal point of his world.

- he also might mean that his happiness might flow or be destroyed depending on his relationship with Desdemona. This reminds us of 3.3 where he said 'perdition on my soul, I do love thee, and if I love thee not, chaos is come again' .

" a cistern for foul toads, to knot and gender in!"

-Othello 4.2

- He is disgusted by Desdemona's supposed infidelity and says it has corrupted her and transformed the pure fountain of her body into a filthy and contaminated toilet where animals may breed.

- Othello finds the thoughts of Desdemona's sins and adultery disgusting and this is communicated by revolting images such as this of filth and slimy animals.

"thou weed [...] lovely fair and smell'st so sweet,

That the seenses ache at thee

Would that thou hadst never been born'

-Othello 4.2

- he weeps as he reaches the end of his interrogation of Desdemona.

- he calls her a weed to suggest she is worthless but says that she is very attractive and beautiful. He is saying her beauty is a trap that has misled and ruined him.

- this is an expression of the sexist idea that attractive women are dangerous to men and that they use their beauty to manipulate and lead them to pain and suffering and destruction.

- othello is still torn between his angry jealousy, hatred and disgust for Desdemona and the remains of his love and attraction to her.

"Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed?"

Desdemona 4.2

- Desdemona is shocked by his descriptions of her and his accusations and asks what sins he imagines she has committed as she does not know what he is talking about.

'Was this fair paper, this most goodly book

Made to write 'who're' upon

What committed

Heaven stops thee nose at it, and the moon winks

Are you not a strumpet

What not a *****'

Othello 4.2

- Othello insults her aggressively and crudely.

- He calls her a wh'ore and a strumpet ( another word for a prostitute ) says she has committed such appalling sins and acts that it disgust all good people and they were committed in secret at night .

'By heaven you do me wrong '

'No as i am a Christian '

'O heaven forgive us!'

Desdemona 4.2

- Desdemona again denies his accusations.

- once again she is associated with images of heaven.

"And keeps the gates of hell!"

-Othello 4.2

- Othello calls Emilia and says that by minding the door she guards a place of hell where Desdemona commit awful sins and crimes against marriage , morality and god.

"there's money for your pains"

' turn the key and keep our counsel.'

-Othello 4.2

- Othello gives Desdemona money implying that she has to be paid for any man to spend to time with her like a prostitute.

- He then storms off in a jealous rage.

- He is convinced that she is a sinful liar and that he is justified in killing her.

'How do you madam? How do you, my good lady? '

Emilia 4.2

- Emilia sees that Desdemona is upset and distressed after Othello's insults and attacks on her character.

- She tries to comfort her.

- We can see that she truly cares for Desdemona.

'Faith , half asleep'

'I have none.do not talk to me, Emilia

Nor answers have i none

But what should go by water'

Lay on my wedding sheets

And call thy husband hither

Emilia 4.2

- Desdemona is stunned 'half asleep' , dazed and speechless 'answers have I none' aand she does not understand why Othello is behaving in such an angry and abusive way.

She feels like weeping.

- she seems more helpless and confused than angry.

- She asks Emilia to put her wedding sheets on her bed. She is still loyal to Othello and her love for him ad wants them to be happy in their marriage. Putting out the wedding sheets suggests her desire to strengthen their marriage bond.

- She asks Emilia to get Iago. Like Cassio and Othello she turns to Iago for help not knowing that he is the cause of her troubles and suffering. He has won the absolute trust of all the characters that he torments.

'I am a child to chiding'

Desdemona 4.2

- Desdemona tells Iago that she has never been treated so harshly Orr corrected so violently and that Othello should have been more gentle.

'Alas, Iago, my lord hath so be*****d her.

Thrown such despite and heavy terms upon her

As true hearts cannot bear.'

'He called her *****. A beggar on his drink

Could not have laid such terms upon his callet'

Emilia 4.2

- Emilia is outraged at how Othello has mistreated Desdemona and spoken to her in a cell and unjust way. She says that she cannot stand it and all good people would be angry on her behalf.

- She tells Iago that he has accused her of being a prostitute and acted like she was one. She says that a drunk beggar would not have spoken to an actual prostitute so callously and rudely.

'Hath she forsook so many noble marriages, her father and her country and her friends to be called wh'ore

Emilia 4.2

- Emilia is outraged on Desdamona's behalf and points out that she has made many sacrifices to be with him such as giving up her father, her country and her friends, and turned down other suitors only to be abused by Othello for no reason.

- Emilia is full of righteous indignation unlike Desdemona who is passive and accepting and is only concerned with winning Othello's love and favour back by appeasing his anger and proving herself true by obeying him.

‘Am I that name, Iago?'

Such as she said my lord did say i was'

Desdemona 4.2

- Desdemona is so innocent that she cannot even say the word wh'ore let lone act like one. She turn to Iago for help

"Do not weep, do not weep. Alas the day!"

Beshrew him for't

How comes this trick upon him? '

Iago 4.2

- Iago shows what a hypocritical and deceptive person he is by pretending to care about Desdemona and sympathise with her. He expresses surprise about Othello's behaviour even though he has caused and encouraged it. Just like Cassio and Othello she turns to Iago for help and support not knowing that her troubles and pain has been caused by his plotting against her.

- Just a short time before this he was driving Othello to feel great anger and hate for her and convince him that she is cheating on him and telling Othello how he should kill her later this night. He pretends to be shocked and sympathetic when he is secretly delighted.

- He is an evil mastermind who hides his true nature very well and has a reputation for honesty and friendship.

- Appearance and reality

I will be hanged if some eternal villain... have not devised this slander .....to get some office

The Moor's abused by some most villainous knave,

Some base, notorious knave, some scurvy fellow

Emilia 4.2

- Emilia expresses the opinion that someone must be lying to and misleading Othello in order to win a promotion.

- She says some evil and sinister villain must be filling Othello's mind with lies and false rumours.

- She is getting close to the truth and near to figuring out what has happened to Othello.

- We might wonder why she does not suspect Iago , especially since she knows that he took the handkerchief and that the. Missing Handkerchief paste Othello severely. But Iago has fooled all characters and seems a great actor who has carefully created and crafted an image of himself as a true and honest friend to others.

'Nay heaven doth know

If there be any such fellow heaven pardon him'

Desdemona

- Desdemona says that she has no idea why Othello suspects her of adultery

- when Emilia says that someone has been poisoning Othello's mind with lies and slandering her reputation she expresses a wish that such a person be forgiven by God

- at times she is too good to be true and excessively accepting and forgiving

- the use of heavenly and religious imagery suggests she is the embodiment of virtue and goodness.

"A halter pardon him, and hell gnaw his bones!

Why should he call her who're?

Who keeps her company? What place, what time, what form, what likelihood"

Emilia 4,2

- Emilia expressions her outraged indignation on Desdemona's behalf and expresses her angry disapproval of Othello's' behaviour and any man who has encouraged him to think Desdemona unfaithful and dishonest. She says that he should not be forgiven as Desdemona has just suggested but wants him to be punished for what he has done by hanging so his soul can suffer in hell. Her passionate outrage contrasts with Desdemona's meek acceptable and forgiveness.

- her repeated questions emphasise how ridiculous Othello's accusations and suspicions are and how completely unjust , undeserved and groundless they are.

- how jealousy warps the mind and perception

'Fie, there is no such man! It is impossible.'

'Speak within door'

Iago 4.2

- Iago says that Emilia is wrong to suspect that some malicious man is lying to Othello and filling his head with false ideas about Desdemona having an affair.

- When she repeats this idea he tells her to shut up quite forcefully and abruptly. He expects her to do as she is told as she normally does.

- Mistreatment and powerlessness of women.

'Some such squire he was that turned your wit the seamy side without and made you suspect me with the Moor.'

'You are a fool. Go to'

Emilia 4.2

- Emilia continues and states that Iago was made jealous by some man who suggested that she was having an affair with Othello.

- Iago dismisses her ideas, calls her a fool and instructs her stop talking . He despises her and does not see her as a threat even though she is close to the truth. He thinks she can be easily silenced and will always be obedient to him.

- But he does not understand Emilia's strong attachment and loyalty to Desdemona. He had to tell her twice, Emilia is beginning to showing signs of wanting to rebel against him and his control of her actions, and is getting more outspoken.

- He has spoken to her with contempt every time they are together in the play ( 2.1 and 3.3 ) - mistreatment and powerlessness of women

‘What shall I do to win my lord again?

Good friend, go to him, for by the light of heaven

I know not how I lost him’

Desdemona

- She is focused only on winning Othello's love and favour back. That is her only concern. She refuses to accept that the relationship is failing.

- on her knees she begs Iago to help her and speak with Othello and assure him of her loyal love. She is desperate to be reconciled with Othello.

- there is a terrible irony that she pleads with and expects help from the man who is plotting her death and is responsible for turning Othello against her. In the last scene he was urging Othello to murder her in her bed and but here he wears his mask of well meaning friendship.

- She calls him her ' good friend' not knowing that in the last scene this evil man was telling Othello to strangle her in her bed. ( deception /appearance/reality)

- She uses more religious and heavenly imagery which suggests she exemplifies virtue and goodness.

- She has no idea why Othello is furious with her, distrusts her and believes she has been unfaithful.

"Unkindness may do much, / And his unkindness may defeat my life/ But never taint my love."

Desdemona 4.2

- Having sled Iago to speak with Othello and convince him that she is a true wife to him she kneels and says that she loves Othello and always will even if he divorced her and made her a beggar.

Desdemona says that she will always love Othello , that she will never stop loving him no matter what he does and despite how he has treated her recently. ( struck her/ humiliated her / aggressively accused her/ insulted her/ spoke rudely and crudely with her )

- Desdemona is totally devoted to Othello and her love is unwavering. She is a paragon of the loyal and loving wife. She represents pure, selfless and unconditional love. She is associated with heavenly imagery throughout the play to emphasise her virtue.

- Ominously she says she will never stop loving him even if his cruelty leads to her death. She will be true to this statement. She is selfless and loves him unconditionally.

'I do not find that thou deal'st justly with me.'

'I will no longer endure it , nor am I persuaded to put up in peace what already i have suffered.'

'I have heard too much for your words and performances are no kin together.'

'I have wasted myself out of my means

The jewels you have had from me to deliver to Desdemona would have corrupted a votarist'

Roderigo 4.2

-Desdemona and Emilia leave and Roderigo enters.

- He is angry with Iago and complains that all his money is gone and that he gave it to Iago in the hope that it would win him Desdemona but he has gained nothing. He says that Iago had promised him that Desdemona would now be his but that has not happened. He says he no longer believes Iago and feels Iago has not been honest with him.

- He says all his wealth and money is now gone.

- He gave Iago jewels to give to Desdemona. He thinks he can buy love and believes such expensive jewels would buy anyone including a judge in a court case.

'You have told me she hath received them and returned me expectations and comforts of sudden expect and acquaintance. '

'I begin to to find myself fopped in it '

'I will make myself known to Desdemona. If she will return me my jewels I will repent my unlawful solicitation. If not assure yourself I will seek satisfaction of you.'

Roderigo 4.2

- He says that Iago told him he had delivered the jewels and told him that he believed Desdemona would soon choose to leave Othello and be with her.

- He says he thinks Iago has misled him and treated him like a fool.

- He says he has given up hope of winning Desdemona's love add that he is going to ask her to give him the jewels back.

- This is a dangerous moment for Iago as he did not give her the jewels but kept them to enrich himself. If Roderigo speaks to Desdemona it will expose his lies and scheming nature and all his plans might collapse as he will no longer be trusted and people will be suspicious of him. If Roderigo turns against him or Iago cannot control him he may reveal what he knows about how they both conspired to have Cassio fired.

'Now I see there is mettle in thee

Thou hast taken a most just exception but yet I protest

I have dealt most directly in thy affair '

'If thou hast ...purpose, courage and valour,

This night show it.

If thou the following night enjoy not Desdemona

Take me from this world'

Iago

- Iago handles the moment superbly and show his ability to control and manipulate others as well as his brilliance at thinking on his feet and improvising in the moment.

- He does not argue with him but I stream compliments and flatters Roderigo and tells him that he has shown strength and courage and that he understands why he is angry even if he has really done his best to be a good and honest friend to him.

- He then redirects Roderigo's anger towards Cassio.

- He tells him that if he can use the courage he has shown to do one thing tonight that he promises him he will win Desdemona the next night and that if this does not happen he will allow Roderigo to kill him.

- He knows he just needs to stop Roderigo from going to Desdemona tonight and by tomorrow she will be dead and Roderigo cannot interfere with his plan.

"Why, by making him uncapable of Othello's place knocking out his brains."

Iago 4.2

- He now tells Roderigo that Othello has been called away from Cyprus and that Cassio is to take his place as commander of Cyprus.

- He adds a lie to this truth and says that Othello will be sent to Africa and will be taking Desdemona with him. This would mean that Roderigo would never see her again.

- He tells R that the only way to stop this from happening would be to kill Cassio so that Othello could not go.

'If you dare do yourself a profit and a right.

I will be near, to second your attempt, ad he shall fall between us.'

Iago 4.2

- He tell R if he shows the courage and daring to kill Cassio that he will gain Desdemona the next night.

- He tells him that Cassio is visiting Bianca at an inn , and that he will meet them that night and lave with them near midnight,

- He tells R to be waiting fr them to kill Cassio and that he will be near to help him if necessary.

- R agrees and we see how manipulates and persuades him again to do something he wants to happen as part of his scheming and we know that Iago must also be planning to kill R to make sure he cannot tell anyone about how he used and misled him and plotted against Cassio. He must kill him to cover his tracks.

'Get you to bed on the instant

Dismiss your attendant there. Look it be done. ' O

'I will my lord.' D

Othello and Desdemona 4.3

- Othello is walking with Lodovico and Desdemona

- he speaks to her in a rude and abrupt manner and orders her to bed , to dismiss Emilia and to wait for him there.

- Desdemona obeys without question of hesitation.

‘He hath commanded me to go to bed

And bade me dismiss you’

We must not now displease him

Desdemona 4.3

- social pressure and expectation for women to be docile and dutiful and subservient

- she wants to repair her relationship with Othello , her focus is on making him happy and regaining his love.

- compliant, meek and deferential

'I would you had never seen him'

Emilia, act 4 scene 3

- Emilia expresses her disapproval of Othello in the name of protecting her.

- she wishes she had not married him.

- she is fearful of how Othello is behaving

- she is very attached to Desdemona and fiercely loyal to her

- this does make it a little strange that she has not spoken up about where the handkerchief is , she was silent when Othello demanded it in 3.4 and has been silent since. Maybe she is afraid that Iago will be accused of foul play and wants to protect him and her from Othello's ferocious anger. Maybe she feels misguided loyalty to Iago. Maybe she is just used to obeying him and he did order her in 3.3 never to speak about it. Maybe she does say anything to cover up her part in the disappearance of the handkerchief. She certainly has no idea of the danger Desdemona is in and does not want to cause her any harm. Her concern for her and close bond with her is obvious.

"My love doth so approve him, / That even his stubbornness, his checks, his frowns - / have grace and favor in them."

Desdemona 4.3

- forgiving and completely devoted to Othello

- she defends Othello from Emilia's complaints and judgment , she does not want to blame or reproach him for his actions.

- she says that she loves him so much that she even sees the good in his poor behaviour and treatment of her.

- she refuses to see anything bad in Othello, she has an idealistic view of him.

- her love is unwavering and constant and unconditional.

"And she died singing it. That song tonight will not go from my mind"

-Desdemona 4.3

- Desdemona remembers a song that a maid of her mother used to sing called 'willow'.

- it is a song about a woman whose lover went mad and left her. She says that the maid died while she was singing it. It is a song about love destroyed by a man who loses his mind and a woman who loses her love and life as a consequence. It is a song about the sadness and pain that women can suffer in relationships where they are abandoned , mistreated or even killed.

- Desdemona sings the song which creates a fear in the audience that she is doomed. It is a sad song of ruined love and tragedy. The song seems to describe what has already happened to Desdemona's relationship and we know Othello is planning to kill her.

- fatalistic, ominous and morbid, dread of disaster , Desdemona seems to sense that something awful might happen

'If i die before thee Prithee shroud me

In one of those same sheets'

Desdemona

- Desdemona asks that if she dies before Emilia to be wrapped in her wedding sheets.

- she wants to express her devotion and love for Othello even in death.

- she is loyal , constant, devoted and has an idealistic view of Othello. Her love is unconditional and cannot be dimmed.

- the depth of Desdemona's love and loyalty highlights the mind warping and distorting power of irrational jealousy that it has convinced Othello in the belief that she is false.

"My mother had a maid call'd Barbary;/She was in love, and he she lov'd prov'd mad,/And

did forsake her. She had a song of "Willow,"/An old thing 'twas, but it express'd her

fortune,/And she died singing it. That song tonight/Will not go from my mind..."

Desdemona; she tells the sorry of her mom's maid, Barbary, to Emilia. The story was about her mother falling in love with a man who went mad and abandoned her.

She was fond of singing a song that reminded her of her sorrow, died singing it. This story relates to Desdemona and she doesn't realize it. Othello has abandoned her out of jealousy and she will die.

'Willow willow willow

Sing all a green willow

Let nobody blame him his scorn i approve '

'I called my love false and what say he then?

If i court with more women you'll couch with more men'

Desdemona

- The reference to the colour green reminds us of jealousy 'the green eyed monster'. Jealousy has destroyed the loving relationship they had and will bring great sorrow and loss and tragedy into the world. The song expresses the sadness and pain that jealousy causes.

- Desdemona puts in her own line asking that Othello be forgiven for his sins and bad behaviour. Desdemona wants to protect him from criticism and attacks after his behaviour has become more abusive towards her.

- the idea of infidelity and adultery is on Desdemona's mind since Othello accused her of it so brutally in 4.2.

"Dost thou in conscience think—tell me, Emilia—that there be women do abuse their husbands in such gross kind?" Desdemona

' there be some such, no question' Emilia

Desdeomona - Emilia after Othello has accused her + his behaviour becomes more abusive towards her

- Desdemona asks Emilia if she thinks any women have cheated on their husbands. She cannot believe that any women would do such a thing.

- Emilia says some women do

- Shows complete lack of comprehension of women cheating on men , she is innocent , pure, idealistic and naive

- She is dependent on Emilia to teaching her about the world - Emilia is more worldly wise and experienced

Gross + abused - emotive language

‘no by this heavenly light '. D

‘nor I neither by this heavenly light I might do't as well i' the dark' E

Desdemona and Emilia 4.3

- Desdemona says that she would never cheat on her husband - religious ' heavenly imagery

- Emilia says that she would not be proud of it and would not do it openly or what people to know about it but she might do it in secret.

'The world's a huge thing. It's a great price for a small vice'

Emilia 4.3

- Desdemona asks if she would cheat to gain power or riches for herself , she echoes the lines in the bible about gaining the world but losing your soul by committing sins.

- Emilia replies that she might commit the sin if the reward was big enough. She is practical. She know she lives in a man's world where women have limited power or chances to advance themselves. The only way to make gains is through relationships with men.

- this suggests that Emilia is frustrated by her powerlessness and would like to gain some power or improve her life.

'Who would not make her husband a cuckold to make him a monarch'

'Why the wrong is but a wrong i' the world'

Emilia 4.3

- Emilia suggests here that women cannot hold power themselves , she suggests that she might cheat if it would help to advance her husband's prospects such as helping to make him a king. She would have a better life because of his position. Here she suggests that women are dependent on the status and wealth their husbands. They have no wealth or status by themselves.

- this might explain why she keeps the fat that Iago has the envelope secret , if it hurt his place and career it would also hurt Emilia.

— She says she would cheat to benefit her husband as it is the only way for her to benefit herself. This suggests that she has a wish to have more power in her life, she will not say that she will not cheat as it the only way she might have some power in the world is through the favours she may earn through relationships with men.

Emilia, act 4 scene 3

- a feminist opinion of Elizabethan marriage

- she is saying that women are expected to be perfect and loyal but men are not perfect and loyal

- she says if men cheat on women or mistreat them then women have the right to also cheat on them for their own pleasure or to get revenge because they are angry and resentful.

- she is arguing for respect and equal responsibility, she is saying that men often drive women to seek other lovers , more sympathetic view of 'fallen' wives

'Say that they slack their duties and pour our treasures into foreign laps

Say they beak out in Peevish jealousy .......throw restraint upon us ......strike us

Though we have some grace, yet have we some revenge

Let husbands know their wives have sense like them'

'Then let them use us well, else let them know

The ills we do , their ills instruct us so.'

Emilia 4.3

- Emilia says that if men treat women badly by spending on other women, get jealous for no reason, by getting very controlling or hit them that women cannot always forgive and that sometimes they are right to cheat on their husbands to get revenge on them for such bad treatment.

- Emilia may be describing her marriage to Iago since he has been jealous of her , treats her poorly and is a cold and cruel man. She is in a loveless and abusive marriage.

- Although she has been obedient to him in the play and he thinks he can easily control her she seems frustrated with the expectation that women should be perfect and pure and forgiving even when they are treated badly.

- she thinks there is a double standard which allows men to behave badly but condemns women for any fault.

- she says the bad treatment of women by men may lead them to cheat on them.

- she says that women often have very good reasons to be unhappy with their men and their relationship.

- she is speaking up for the wish idea that women should not just be meek and forgiving but should stand up for themselves in a male dominated world.

- she seems embittered by her bad marriage to Iago.

"God me such uses send, not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend"

Desdemona 4.3

- Desdemona shows her pure, virtuous and saintly character again.

- she says that if she were treated badly she would never act badly herself but try to learn how not to behave.

- she would rather learn from the wrongdoing of others what she should avoid doing herself.

- she is unadulterated in her virtue and goodness and innocence. She is guiltless and means no harm to anybody , even those who might harm her.

- she is saint like in her devotion to Othello and love and her innocence and goodness make his jealousy and his plan to kill her all the more heartbreaking and irrational.