Othello Act 4 Scene 2

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  • Act 4 Scene 2: The Brothel Scene
    • Key moments
      • Othello quizzes Emilia about Desdemona's infidelity
        • He dismisses her as a 'simple brawd'
      • Desdemona swears her innocence to Othello, Othello tells her to damn herself twice
      • Desdemona instructs Emilia to make the bed using wedding sheets
      • Iago enters, pretending to be compassionate towards Desdemona + Desdemona asks for his advice on how to get Othello back
      • Roderigo enters, claiming he has no money. Iago persuades him to kill Cassio.
    • Emilia's transformation
      • She is at first portrayed as meek and compliant in the play
        • Iago's claim that 'would she give you so much of her lips/ As of her tongue she oft bestows me' is coming true
        • And she was previously a pawn in Iago's play e.g. with the handkerchief
      • In Act 3 she advises Desdemona that Othello is jealous
        • She isn't part of Iago's plan in a malevalent way, she just follows the most sensible course of action
      • In this scene she loudly complains about whoever has lied about D's infidelity- even though Iago tells her to be quiet
        • She would 'lay down my soul at stake' for D
        • 'The Moor is abused by some villainous knave'
          • But she has still not understood who is the villain- dramatic irony as Iago is on stage
    • Othello
      • Increased language convergence with Iago
        • He calls D 'that cunning whore of venice'
          • 'Public commoner'
      • He makes a series of chaotic speeches in this scene
        • His language has become more repetitive e.g. he repeats 'commited'
          • Highlights the deterioration of his mental state
      • He speaks in blank verse! Shakespeare wants to elevate the tragic hero
    • Desdemona's transformation
      • She is no longer determines, asertive and self-possessed
      • She is no longer 'our great captains captain'
      • She has transformed to be very compliant
        • She enters asking 'my Lord, what is your will?'
        • She faints, a strong contrast to the opening scenes where she stood proudly
          • Pathos is increased for her
  • Shakespeare highlights Iago's limitless capacity for remorse
  • Treatment of women- Desdemona is silenced
    • Emilia is assertive, but she is silenced by Othello, foreshadowing

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