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Act 4 scene 2 - Coggle Diagram
Act 4 scene 2
Iago's lies
Iago abuses the word 'honest' to such an extent that no other character can use the word without becoming subject to suspicion. Both women insist that Desdemona is honest, but are denounced as liars.
Othello's refusal to believe the two women indicates that his mind is already made up about Desdemona, and how far from his previous reputation of being of fair judgement and justice he has fallen.
Emilia's role as Desdemona's servant is parallel to that of Iago in act 1, yet she is a true and honest servant. She astutely concludes that some ”eternal villain” has slandered her friend/mistress, yet fails to realise it is her very husband, raising the tension in the play with dramatic irony.
Othello
war with himself
Othello's confusion and constant see-sawing between love and jealous anger is made clear through Shakespeare's use of contrasting imagery.
The fountain of his love has become a "cistern, for foul toads to knot and gender in" as his love for Desdemona is polluted by his suspicions
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As Desdemona tries to defend herself against Othello's cruel accusations he replies with contempt "I cry you mercy then, I took you for that cunning whore of Venice that married with Othello" - in dramatising himself with his use of the third person, we see the disconnect between Othello's mindset at this point and the reputation that he held before, and in disconnecting/distancing himself from his actions he is able to justify/excuse his words and actions. This is repeated in act 5
Desdemona's trial
Desdemona becomes a figure of pathos. She kneels in front of Othello, the man who will kill her, and then pleads in front of Iago for his help, the man who has poisoned her husband against her.
She's bewildered and confused by Othello's behaviour, ”what horrible fancy's this? revealing her fear of Othello. She tells him ”I understand a fury in your words but not the words” indicating that her and her husband's communication has dwindled into non existance
Desdemona's speech emphasises her innocence and misery, she asks what ”ignorant sin” she has committed, she says she is a ”child to chiding” and can not bring herself to even say the word whore.
She does not say that Othello is wrong to chide her, only that he could have done it ”with gentle means”
Desdemona insists that she does love Othello and will continue to love him despite his cruelties, still referring to him as ”my noble lord” and hopes to ”win my lord again” evoking huge pity in the audience as we know this 'tragedy of Venice' will not pan out in her favour, ironically she pleads help from Iago ignorant of his plots and schemes
Love
Othello's love for Desdemona is easily challenged, proving its weakness/non-existence/shaky foundations.
Othello is convinced that Desdemona has been unfaithful, calling her ”false as hell” and bullying/abusing her, commanding her to leave.
Desdemona's bewildered pleas fall on deaf ears, her questioning of ”what horrible fancy's this” shows her desperation to soothe his anger and find out the cause of this behaviour
Othello's verbal abuses of Desdemona worsen she is in his eyes a ”notable strumpet” and a ”cunning whore”
not just any whore, ”The cunning whore of Venice that married with Othello” - Desdemona is given no grounds to defend herself as she did in act 1 scene 3 (in which she did not defend herself, but her husband)
Desdemona's misery is made evident as she tells Emilia she feels ”half asleep” as she's benumbed by Othello's behaviour, she weeps and blames her ”wretched fortune” yet makes no accusations against her husband, only pleading Iago for help. ”What shall I do to win my lord again?” showing her love to be untainted and unconditional - trait exploited by Othello from the start?
Summary
- Othello questions Emilia about Desdemona, but does not believe her when she says Desdemona is true.
- Othello confronts Desdemona and tries to get her to confess to her adultery but Desdemona defends herself
- Othello offers emilia money and leaves the scene in disgust - Desdemona asks Iago for help and he plays the role
- Roderigo appears most displeased with the lack of results from Iago , Iago persuades Roderigo to help in his plot to kill Cassio
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