Act IV Scene 2

Act IV Scene 2

1)      What does Othello ask Emilia at the beginning of the scene, and how does Emilia respond?

Othello asks Emilia at the beginning of the scene ‘You have seen nothing then?’ and she responds ‘nor ever heard, nor ever did suspect’. Here, Emilia is insisting that Desdemona has done nothing suspicious – she truly believe it is just a rumour within Othello’s mind.

2)      What does Othello say to Desdemona and how does Desdemona respond? Is Othello treating Desdemona fairly?

Othello is immediately unfair to Desdemona – upon her entrance he flies into a passion, falling into tears. He has convinced himself that Desdemona is cunning in her harlotry, and it's no surprise she wouldn't be found out. He directly accuses Desdemona of being false (particularly, by cheating on him). When Desdemona fervently denies being unfaithful, Othello sarcastically replies that he begs her pardon: he took her for the “cunning whore of Venice” who married Othello. This is an unfair accusation as Othello lacks legitimate evidence of her apparent adultery – so by labelling her as a ‘whore’ is wildly unfair.

3)      When Desdemona and Emilia tell Iago about Othello’s behavior, how does Iago respond? What does Iago say he thinks is the cause of Othello’s anger? What does Emilia think is the cause?

Emilia informs her husband that Othello must have been deceived by some villain, the same sort of villain who made Iago suspect Emilia of sleeping with Othello. Iago assures Desdemona that Othello is merely upset by some official business, and a trumpet flourish calls Emilia and Desdemona away to dinner with the Venetian emissaries.

4)      Why is Roderigo angry and how does he threaten Iago? In response, what does Iago say Roderigo must do and why? According to Iago, what will be Roderigo’s reward if he follows Iago’s advice?

Roderigo is furious that he is still frustrated in his love, and ready to make himself known in his suit to Desdemona so that she might return all of the jewels that Iago was supposed to have given her from him. In response, Iago tells Roderigo that Cassio is being assigned to Othello’s place. Iago also lies, saying that Othello is being sent to Mauritania, in Africa, although he is really being sent back to Venice. He tells Roderigo that the only way to prevent Othello from taking Desdemona away to Africa with him would be to get rid of Cassio. He attempts to persuade Roderigo that he is just the man for “knocking out [Cassio’s] brains”. Iago is clear: murdering Cassio is the only way to get to Desdemona. Roderigo points out that this plan really doesn't make any sense but somehow is appeased when Iago promises he'll explain it all later.