Othello Lesson - Day 11 - Part One Act 4 Summary
Please read then complete the writing assignment Entitled Othello Lesson - day one, part two
Iago makes Othello’s jealousy and anger even worse by suggesting that Desdemona shared a
bed with Cassio. He mentions the handkerchief again, which makes Othello very upset because
it was a token of their love.
Othello falls into an epileptic fit (seizure). He is not thinking clearly or rationally.
Iago now has a new plan: Iago will meet up with Cassio. He will purposely talk about Bianca
(Cassio’s lady “toy”). Iago knows Cassio will say poor things about Bianca. So, Iago tells Othello
that he is meeting up with Cassio to discuss Desdemona, and that Othello should eavesdrop
(spy) on their conversation and listen for himself to Cassio confessing (keep in mind Cassio will
be talking about Bianca, not Desdemona). P. 199-203
Bianca and Cassio meet up. Bianca THROWS the handkerchief at Cassio because she is angry
that Cassio asked her to make a copy of the handkerchief. She is so jealous because she thinks it
came from one of Cassio’s lovers!
Othello decides to kill Desdemona by strangling her in her bed. Othello orders Iago to kill
Cassio. Iago agrees to the request.
Lodovico, Desdemona’s uncle, visits Cyprus to tell everyone that it’s safe to return home to
Venice. Othello SLAPS Desdemona across the face in front of everyone!
Othello asks Emilia if Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. Emilia says no, but Othello
doesn’t believe her.
Othello confronts Desdemona and accuses her of cheating on him with Cassio. Desdemona is
so upset and denies the accusation. He still doesn’t believe her.
Emilia and Desdemona are alone and discuss Othello’s strange behavior. Emilia suggests that
perhaps some evil person is telling Othello lies (we know that it’s really her husband who is
evil!) Desdemona requests to talk to Iago, so perhaps he can talk to Othello to find out what’s
really bothering him.
Roderigo tells Iago that he wants to confront Desdemona about the jewels (remember, he
collected his money and gave it all to Iago, thinking that he would give it to Desdemona. Iago, of
course, kept the money and never gave it to Desdemona). Iago can’t have Roderigo talk to
Desdemona about the jewels, so he convinces Roderigo to kill Cassio!
