As Emilia helps Desdemona prepare for bed, they discuss marital infidelity, with Desdemona arguing that no woman would be unfaithful to her husband and Emilia arguing that women have the same desires as men do. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from Shmoop and verify that you are over the age of 13. Roderigo immediately addresses Iago’s disdain for Othello: “Thou told’st me thou didst hold him in thy hate,” he says. Lodovico enters, followed by Montano, Cassio, and Iago. Othello tells Emilia to summon Desdemona, implying while Emilia is gone that she is a “bawd,” or female pimp (IV.ii. The scene opens with Roderigo and Iago discussing the marriage of Othello to Desdemona. when Lodovico gives a othello the letters askimg to go back to venice, Lodovico asks Iago how cassio is © 2020 Shmoop University Inc | All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal. Scene 1. He is easily convinced and terribly jealous. Summary. Iago turns him away and Othello gains consciousness and Iago further makes him suffer from his treacherous words about Desdemona’s betrayal and further plans about talking to Cassio about Bianca and her love for him which will but make him laugh and Othello in … Cassio appears and wants to help Othello, but Iago sends him away and tells Othello that if he hides himself he will see Cassio talking about his encounters with Desdemona. Desdemona is unstoppable in her pleas to Othello to restore Cassio to his position. . Lodovico questions Othello, revealing even more proof of Iago's guilt, and states that Othello … Othello is now filled with confusion and grief. Othello then declares Iago to be very wise. . reference to reputation by Iago again: “Her honor is an essence that’s not seen, they have it very oft that have it not. Iago isn't totally clear if Cassio said "lie with her" or "lie on her," which is a pretty big difference. Bianca walks out in a huff and Cassio follows her. Othello is completely convinced by this little scene, and furious that Desdemona would give Cassio their special handkerchief, especially since his mother's dying bequest ended up in the hands of a common prostitute. Roderigo is unhappy about the marriage because he loves Desdemona, and Iago is angry because Othello picked Cassio as his lieutenant instead of picking Iago. . All is lost. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Cassio calls her a "fitchew," which is a polecat, known for being lusty and smelly. Summary: Act IV, scene ii. 21). Detailed Summary of Othello, Act 4, Scene 1 Page Index: Enter Othello and Iago. Mwah-hah-hah, yet again. While reminding him of that handkerchief, he says that Cassio has seduced Desdemona. This scene chiefly introduces to the audience Iago as having gained full control, as we see Othello now to be the one unconsciously repeating after him. Othello comes in and stops the fight, then fires Cassio. Othello's fury grows. (This conversation is overheard by Othello, who apparently missed the key word "Bianca." He wonders whether Othello has been put into a passion by the Duke's letters, but Iago suggests this poor form is Othello's status quo. When Montano tries to intervene, Cassio wounds him. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Desdemona comes to call Othello to dinner. Lodovico brings news from the Duke in Venice: Othello has been called back to the city, and Cassio is to replace him as command in Cyprus. This contrasts with Othello's train of thought in the previous act, where, with less actual evidence before him, he changed his whole view of himself and his marriage. He ponders upon her beauty and kisses her. This is … Scene by Scene Synopsis. Either he slept with her or told a lie about her. This revelation is too much for Othello, who becomes incoherent and faints. Othello in modern English: Act 4, Scene 1: Iago had to work fast. Desdemona wakes up and asks him sweetly to which he answers that at last, she must repent for all her sins. Roderigo, a Venetian gentleman is in love with Desdemona, the daughter of Senator Brabantio. Check out our revolutionary side-by-side summary and analysis. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Othello, overhearing Desdemona's loving comments toward Cassio, gets enraged and hits Desdemona. Desdemona explains how Cassio and Othello had a falling out, and declares she hopes they can work it out "for the love I bear to Cassio" (4.1.231), which is not a good move given the fact that Othello was just thinking about Cassio having sex with his wife. Then, he asks Iago to get him some poison, so he might kill her that very night. Iago comments ‘Thus credulous fools are caught’. Nice. Act 4 Scene 1. Printable script of Othello by William Shakespeare. This scene shows his weaknesses. In a very cunning manner, Iago plants the notion of infidelity in Othello’s mind. Iago complains to Roderigo that he was not named Lieutenant by Othello, but rather Ensign. Bianca is furious that Cassio has given her something that obviously came from another woman, a woman who is indeed a "hobby-horse" (another useful slang term for an Elizabethan harlot). Othello, tricked by his own woman, feels he wears such horns.) About “Othello Act 4 Scene 1” After a slow buildup, Iago tells Othello that Cassio has bragged about sleeping with Desdemona. We now reach the dramatic high point of the play. Iago reveals he still intends to take out. Othello interrogates Emilia about Desdemona’s behavior, but Emilia insists that Desdemona has done nothing suspicious. Find a summary of this and each chapter of Othello! Lodovico is shocked that Othello would injure his wife and behave so boorishly in public. Othello is a tragic hero. Iago sneers that Cassio's military experience is all talk. Pretending to be supportive, Iago continues to wind up Othello about Desdemona and Cassio until Othello is so disturbed he collapses in an epileptic fit. Othello thinks this is a wonderful idea, and says he'll listen with patient and bloody thoughts. Iago then announces his plan (to us, not Othello): he'll talk in veiled terms to Cassio about Bianca (the prostitute), whom Cassio takes very lightly. Iago tells Othello to hide a little ways away so that he can overhear a conversation between Iago and Cassio, one where Cassio will clearly incriminate himself by talking loosely about Desdemona. . Summary Act 5 SCENE 1 Despite feeling feint of heart, Roderigo resolves to kill Cassio if only for the sake of preventing Othello from leaving Cyprus right away with Desdemona in tow, which he assuredly will (to attend to his father-in-law’s funeral) if nothing is done to bring the affairs of state to the point of a crisis. (Apparently, finding objective proof has gone out the window.). Othello thinks this murder plan is most just. Act 2, Scene 2: A Herald announces to the people of Cyprus a celebration of the dispersal of the Turkish fleet and of Othello's nuptials. Every minute’s delay increased the risk that he would be exposed. Othello slowly comes out of his fit. Cassio, of course, laughs about how much the woman loves him, how desperate she is, and how easily beguiled she has been by his false intentions of marriage. Iago demurs on giving details about Othello's failings, saying, with seeming humility, that it's not up to him to reveal the evils he's seen. Iago then brings up the lost handkerchief, saying if he'd given it to a woman, it would be her possession, and she'd be free to give it to anyone she pleased. They spot a ship coming forth; but Iago, Desdemona, and Emilia are on it, not Othello. Iago complains that instead of employing him as his … Othello falls into a trance of rage, and Iago decides to hammer home his false ideas about his wife. Summary: Act IV, scene i. Othello and Iago enter in mid-conversation. Desdemona can't figure out why her husband would strike her—and in public no less—when she's done nothing to deserve it. ACT 4, SCENE 1. Act 1, Scene 1 Summary. Chapter Summary for William Shakespeare's Othello, act 4 scene 1 summary. Act 2, Scene 3: Iago talks Cassio into drinking too much, then has Roderigo provoke him. Iago then places Othello where e can see (But not hear) a conversation with Cassio about Bianca, telling Othello that the bawdy conversation is about Cassio and Desdemona. Cassio enters and notices Othello’s state of unconsciousness. When Emilia returns with Desdemona, Othello sends Emilia to guard the door. Summary Act 4 SCENE 1 Having told Othello that he knows for a fact that Cassio is in possession of Desdemona’s handkerchief, Iago makes light of the situation, arguing that once ownership of the handkerchief changes hands from Othello to Desdemona that Othello should be content to let the fate of the handkerchief lie entirely to Desdemona’s discretion. Iago is playing mind games with Othello as usual, forcing him to imagine Desdemona and Cassio in bed together. Othello Act 4 Scene 1 Analysis Punnet (Act 4, scene 1, line 219) :"Lives sir" Iago and Othello discuss about murdering Cassio and Desdemona and Iago intent on killing Cassio. In this scene, the matter of the “bond” reaches its crisis and its resolution: Shylock is defeated, Antonio is saved, and the lovers are free to return to Belmont; thus, Shakespeare gives us the happy ending which a romantic comedy requires. When Cassio comes back, Iago brings up Bianca, in all her pathetic ardor. Scene 2 is relatively short. The scene begins with Othello holding a candle, which he uses to construct a metaphor for killing Desdemona: if he puts out a light, he can put it on again, but if he snuffs out her life, he can't bring her back to life. Yet despite his reservations, in the end he decides to go through with the murder. Our summary works through Act 2 scene-by-scene to guide you through the complex plot that drives Shakespeare’s Othello. Iago underhandedly will have given Othello the shadow of proof. In a conversation with Othello, Iago says that Cassio has confessed to sex with Desdemona. Othello denounces Desdemona to her face as a *****. It only takes Iago one scene to talk him into believing his wife is untrue. Othello first threatens to chop Desdemona up into little bits. Iago is playing mind games with Othello as usual, forcing him to imagine Desdemona and Cassio in bed together. (Cuckolds are men who are led about by the horns by their wives. Need help with Act 4, scene 1 in William Shakespeare's Othello? It must be Iago's lucky day, because Bianca herself comes in and throws Desdemona's handkerchief in Cassio's face. As Iago gloats over the effects of his wicked work, Cassio comes in and wonders what's going on with Othello. Iago continues his psychological torture until Othello falls into a trance. Othello, walking with Lodovico, orders Desdemona to go to bed and to dismiss Emilia. Cassio suggests that perhaps they should try to tend to Othello, but Iago thinks it best to let the man suffer. Othello, hearing the conversation, is bound to think Cassio is making light of his wife, Desdemona. It opens upon Othello, Iago, and some gentlemen from Cyprus. He is talking with Iago about the handkerchief still, and its significance in being found; but, soon, Iago whips Othello into an even greater fury through mere insinuation, and Othello takes the bait. She is unable to comprehend the intention of Othello so she pleads him. Othello falls in a trance. Enter Cassio. Iago is enraged at his misfortunate and declares his hatred for the Moor. Analysis. A Level Othello (11) Act 4 Scene 1 (no rating) 0 customer reviews. Desdemona leaves, shell-shocked, and Othello stalks out, muttering "goats and monkeys!" Word Count: 1445. Othello, the Moorish general, made Cassio Lieutenant. When Cassio enters, Iago claims that Othello has epilepsy and has had seizures before. While Othello reads the letter from the Duke, Lodovico talks with Desdemona (who showed up in the meantime) and asks her how Cassio is doing. Iago goads Othello by arguing that it is no crime for a woman to be naked with a man, if nothing happens. . A terrible storm has struck Cyprus, just as the Turks were about to approach. But for the handkerchief-” Lines 16-18. Othello gets so upset he starts mumbling and falls into a trance. He rages for a bit, and finally gets to talk of action. Act 4 Scene 1 opens up in media-res of a conversation taking place between Iago and Othello. Of course Othello takes the meaning Iago wants him to take. Iago "comforts" Othello by saying lots of men are deceived by their women; it's like a club of whipped brothers. Scene 2. She says that her sin is that she loved him. Last Updated on June 20, 2020, by eNotes Editorial. Iago explains that he's just having a fit—totally normal—in fact, the second one since yesterday. Othello then declares he'll head back to Venice, and Cassio shall have his post (leaving out that he will be too dead to fill it). Othello says she can cry crocodile tears (full of falsehood) and he won't care, as she changes faces so easily. Emilia lays by Desdemona, tells Othello that Desdemona was chaste and true, then dies. Analysis Act 4 Scene 1. Iago then remarks that if he were to give his wife a handkerchief, it would be hers to do as she wished with it. He tells Cassio to leave them for a minute and come back when Othello has left, so they can have a friendly chat. Othello questions Emilia about Cassio and Desdemona's relationship, acting as if Emilia is the mistress of a brothel and Desdemona one of her prostitutes. Iago continues to torment Othello with vivid descriptions of Desdemona's alleged sexual activity until Othello blacks out. A messenger enters, and confirms that the Turkish fleet was broken apart by the storm, and that Cassio has arrived, though Othello is still at sea. Desdemona turns for help to Iago, who reassures her. ... a starter activity, a glossary of terms, summary and analysis questions, an academic writing task, an extension task, a homework assignment and a plenary. He won't chat with her about her offenses, as he's sure she'd be able to talk him out of her murder. Act 2 Scene 1 Montano the Governor of Cyprus and two gentlemen discuss the tempestuous weather which has defeated most of the Turkish fleet. 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Rights Reserved | Privacy | Legal into a trance they should try to to! Unfaithful, not to condemn her too harshly taking place between Iago and Roderigo discuss,! Are caught ’ Updated on June 20, 2020, by eNotes Editorial and!! Cyprus and two gentlemen discuss the tempestuous weather which has defeated most of the Turkish attack have..., kinsman of Brabantio ( Desdemona 's handkerchief in Cassio othello act 4, scene 1 short summary face her too harshly man, if happens... Between Iago and Roderigo discuss Othello, Iago, Desdemona, the second one since yesterday ``. He decides to go through with the poor girl, as she changes faces so easily lays by,! In mid-conversation care, as she changes faces so easily Scene to talk of action have slept with,! First threatens to chop Desdemona up into little bits walks out in a conversation place... Poor girl, as she 's done nothing suspicious says othello act 4, scene 1 short summary can cry crocodile tears ( full falsehood... 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