Act IV Summary

Othello

IagoOthelloCassioBiancaLodovicioGratiano

Act IV.1 Character list

Iago tells O. that Desi and Cassio are sleeping together. O. has a seizure.

Cassio comes to talk to O. and Iago sends him away so O. can recover.

Iago continues to bait O. about Desi and Cassio, having him hide so he can eavesdrop on Cassio and Iago’s conversation.

During the conversation about Cassio and Bianca, Iago frames it so O. thinks Cassio is speaking about himself and Desi. O. becomes enraged.

Act IV, Scene 1

Bianca comes and jealously confronts Cassio about the handkerchief. She thinks he’s messing around with other women. O. sees the handkerchief and wants to kill Cassio and Desi.

Bianca and Cassio leave. O. and Iago plan to kill Cassio and Desi. They exchange blood oaths – Iago will take care of Cassio; Othello will strangle Desi.

Desi enters with Lodovicio and Gratiano, two family members arrived from Venice to bring news that O. is to return and Cassio is to be governor.

Scene 1 Cont.

Desi intercedes on Cassio’s behalf, angering O. She’s confused about why he’s so angry, and O. slaps her.

Lodovico defends Desi, saying no one would believe O. could do such a thing.

Desi says she doesn’t deserve to be treated poorly. O. says he doesn’t believe her crocodile tears.

O. says they will head back to Venice.

Scene 1 Cont.

EmiliaDesdemonaOthelloIagoRoderigo

Act IV.2 Characters

O. interogates Emilia about Desi’s behavior with Cassio. Emilia defends Desi’s honor.

Desi comes in, and O. questions her loyalty, making her kneel before him. He accuses her of being false. She says she doesn’t know why he’s acting t his way. He says he wishes she had never been born. She defends herself.

Desi goes to Iago for help, asking him to intercede with O. for her. Iago makes excuses for O.’s behavior and that he’ll take care of it. Emilia and Desi leave.

Scene 2

Roderigo appears, angry about not having Desi even after giving Iago several jewels to curry her favor. He threatens to present himself to Desi to see her reaction. He says if he finds out he has been played by Iago, he will kill Iago.

Iago defends himself and tells Rod. that if he doesn’t get Desi, Rod. can kill Iago.

Iago tells Rod. about O. and Desi’s imminent departure to Venice. Iago tells Roderigo that he needs Roderigo to kill Cassio.

Scene 2 Cont.

LodovicoOthelloDesdemonaEmilia

Act IV.3 Characters

After Lodovico leaves, O. sends Desi to bed and asks her to send away Emilia.

Desi and Emilia spend some time alone before Emilia leaves, discussing the nature of women and fidelity.

Desi doesn’t think any woman would cheat on her husband. Emilia says women have the same needs as men and, if the circumstances are correct, a woman will cheat (and she blames the husbands for the act).

Act IV, Scene 3