Desdemona and Emilia

What differences are there between Desdemona and Emilia?

Desdemona is a higher class and Emilia works for her this puts a social barrier in their relationship. Although they are close Emilia still has to fulfill her duties and obey Desdemona. Emilia is also a lot older than Desdemona, she is more wise and less niave and less passive towards her husband. They both have different attitudes towards men and love,Desdemona is more romantic whereas Emilia sees that it is flawed and unequal. 

Why do you think Emilia does not mention the handkerchief to Desdemona? Use what you hear in the video, as well as your own ideas. Consider the relationship between Iago and Emilia, as well as the relationship between Desdemona and Emilia.

Emilia doesn't mention the handkerchief to Desdemona because she sees it as a chance to make  her and Iagos relationship better. Emilia doesn't think the handkerchief is that important but she can see It is too Iago so sees it as an opportunity to gain his affection she doesn't think that it will have any large impact on Desdemona. Emilia and Desedemona also aren't very close its still a professional and unbalanced relationship it may seem an insignificant thing to tell Desdemona or it may make Emilia look unprofessional . 

Othello Act 4 Scene 2 Questions

1) What does Othello ask Emilia at the beginning of the scene, and how does Emilia respond? 
He asks Emilia if she has seen anything suspicious between Cassio and Desdemona. Emilia is very defensive of Desdemona and is certain of her innocence although Othello still refuses to believe shes telling the truth.

2) What does Othello say to Desdemona and how does Desdemona respond? Is Othello treating Desdemona fairly? 
Othello calls her a whore and compares her to a weed and tells he that he wishes she had never been born. Desdemona is confused and says to Othello that to him she is 'your true and loyal wife'.She also admits to a sin even though she is unaware she has done anything 'what ignorant sin have I committed?' she does because she cant understand his anger. He isn't treating her fairly as he has no proof that she has been disloyal, the audience know this and can see how much she loves him but she doesn't try to defend herself to him making her look guilty in his eyes. This doesn't excuse how he's treating her but it could have been easily resolved if she could have diminished his doubt earlier.

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? 
Iago acts shocked and sympathetic towards Desdemona and dismisses Othellos anger as work stress. Emilia however can see that for Othello to act so irrationally someone else must be reaffirming his doubts. Iago obviously wants to avoid any discussion of the truth as it risks his exposure so tries desperately to keep his wife quiet.


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 angry because he has given Iago the majority of his wealth and his saw little reward. Desdemona seems no more interested in Roderigo. He  threatens to demand for the jewels to be given back from Desdemona but she cant give them back because she never received them, this would reveal that Iago has been stealing his money. Iago says that he must kill Cassio so that Desdemona cant leave Venice with Othello. Iago tells him that it will help him win the affections of women and the respect of his peers.

Having read Act 3 how far do you agree with A.C Bradley's view of Othello?

Bradley says that Othello's trust is 'absolute' Othello at the start of the play trusted Desdemona completely and he begins to not trust her at all and places all of his trust in Iago instead. He never asks her for the truth directly and as a woman in a patriarchal society she doesn't have the power to confront him about the way he is acting. Once he has lost his trust for her there is nothing she can do to win it back. Iago is the only person Othello trusts completely due to the fact Othello relies on him to be his eyes, Bradley's view that Othello is self reliant is not true due to how reliant Othello is on Iago. Othello doesn't take advice from anyone else and his interactions with Iago are always longer than his interactions with anybody else making Iago's influence on 1ago more significant. Othello could have chosen anyone to trust but he chooses Iago as its the only person he can relate to, Iago is of lower status than any of the other charterers close to Othello and although Othello has a higher social position than Iago, he is still black in a racist society making him like Iago lower in the social hierarchy this strengthens their relationship as they can empathise with the others position (although Iago chooses to take advantage of it instead.)  Othello is vulnerable due to his race and has to rely on Iago to explain society to him this allows Iago to manipulate Othello easily , his reliance and trust in Iago is ultimately Othello's downfall.


Bradley says that to Othello 'hesitation is almost impossible' and that he 'acts instantaneously'. Othello never doubts Iago for very long he never hesitates and if he does its very short lived.He never acts on any real thought of his own and because Iago has set him on edge everything someone says that could be taken out of context makes Othello insecure, angry and jealous. He acts instantaneously and loves completely or not at all he goes from calling Desdemona his 'fair warrior' to wanting to tear her all to pieces' in a very short space of time .

Do you think Iago is an opportunist or a strategist?

Opportunist
- People don't always act the way he expects eg:nearly getting killed by Othello


Strategist
- Adapts to situations quickly and makes them work in his favour eg his bathotic story about toothache probably wouldn't have worked on anybody else but he knows how to manipulate Othello.
- He uses other people to get thinks he needs for his plans before carrying them out. eg getting money from Roderigo
- His analysis of peoples behaviour is what leads to opportunities arsing that he can take advantage of, why would he ask Emilia to steal the handkerchief if he didn't think she would become desperate enough to do it? She may be an opportunist but he knew that she would eventually make any attempt to gain his affection.

How do ideas about difference and otherness help Iago's manipulation of Othello in this scene?

Desdemona promises to help Cassio win back Othello's trust and respect. Desdemona attempts to do this by reminding Othello that Cassio helped him to woo her,Othello is already doubting Desdemona and this action just pushes him further towards the belief that something between Cassio and Desdemona is happening behind his back. It also makes Othello feel insecure , we already know that he doesn't think that he's a good speaker 'rude am I in my speech' he thinks of Desdemona as better than himself and treats her with a lot of respect when compared with how Iago treats Emilia. Othello feels as if he is loosing Desdemona which makes him more vulnerable. Cassio is well spoken and attractive and Othello has a negative view of himself as he is black, and 'declined in the vale of years'. This makes Desdemona's innocent attempt to help a friend seem suspicious to Othello.

Iago reminds Othello that he's inferior.  He tells Othello that in 'Clime', 'Complexion' and 'Degree' he's inferior to her. Due to Desdemona's race and status and social attitudes to gender it was scandalous that she had married a black man as interracial relationships were rejected and without it being consented to by her father. Iago also tactfully reminds Othello of this too, because she deceived her father to marry him surely she could deceive her husband.

If Othello hadn't been as insecure and filled with self hatred and doubt he may have not viewed Desdemona's attempt to help a friend as a criticism of himself. Iago's claims probably wouldn't have been taken seriously either if the general rejection of otherness wasn't reinforced by society.

Othello Act 3 Scene 3

For what two reasons does Desdemona agree to plead Cassio's case?

She is friends with Cassio and has known him a long time. Cassio helped Desdemona and Othello to become a couple. She also recognises that Cassio is loyal to Othello.

What is Iago referring to when he says, "Ha! I like not that."

He is referring to Desdemona and Cassio having a conversation he does it to make Othello question the nature of Cassio and Desdemona's relationship and to make him feel curious and insecure.

After Othello repeatedly urges Iago to tell him what's on his mind, Iago says "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;/It is the green eyed monster, which doth mock / The meat it feeds on." What is Othello's response? What does he want from Iago?

He is upset and angry and refuses to admit that he is jealous. He wants proof from Iago. 'Ill see before I doubt'

What does Iago say about the women of Venice?

He says that venetian women keep things from their husbands and only show their husbands what they want to see and that 'they do let God see the pranks' that they conceal from their husbands.

What contextual evidence do we have to support Iago's views of Venetian women?

 Belief that women tended to misbehave in hotter climates.

Why might this cause Othello to believe this or, at least, not dismiss it immediately?

Othello relies on Iago to explain society to him so trusts him to be honest and reliable, Iago is also his only source of advice. If women are also perceived this way by the rest of society it would be hard for Othello to dismiss these ideas.

Who echoes Brabantio's earlier warning to Othello?

Iago also reminds him that Desdemona deceived her father before him so she would be able to deceive Othello.

In his duplicitous fashion, what bold statement does Iago make about Desdemona and Othello?

That Desdemona feared to look at Othello at that's why she loved him because she knew she shouldn't.

Desdemona's handkerchief becomes an imposrtant piece of stage business. Why did Desdemona produce it? What happens to it? What might this symbolise? What happens to it? What does Emilia plan to do with it?

Desdemona gets out her handkerchief because Othello isn't feeling well. Desdemona drops it and Othello tells her to let it alone. Othello isn't feeling well after his conversation with Iago. The handkerchief is the first gift Othello gives to Desdemona and symbolizes the love they once had for each other. Othello says the handkerchief is 'too little' implying that Desdemona's love isn't enough anymore. When she drops it he also tells her to 'let it alone' after his conversation with Iago, Othello no longer has faith in his and Desdemona's love. Emilia picks up the handkerchief and plans to give it to Iago as she know how much he wants it but she doesn't know what he needs it for.

What do you think motivates Emilia to take the handkerchief to Iago?

She thinks that he may be grateful and affectionate towards her if she gets it for him as she knows he wants it . She also may think he wants to get one made for her just like it. She is desperate for Iago's attention and doesn't know his true intentions for the handkerchief.

What does Iago plan to do with the handkerchief?

Use it as proof that Desdemona is cheating.

When Othello returns to the scene upset, what warning does he give Iago?

He strangles Iago and wishes Iago had never told him.  Othello says Iago must get proof. 

What 'proof' of Desdemona's disloyalty does Iago give Othello?

He tells Othello that he was in bed with Cassio awake with tooth ache and Cassio was calling Desdemona's name and kissing him.

What is Iago's final 'proof'?

Cassio having the handkerchief.

What is noticeable about Othello's language in this scene?  

It's very short and Iago dominates the conversation.

Othello Context

Sixteenth century England was the first time Muslims began openly living in England occupying jobs such as diplomats,merchants,translators,musicians,servants and prostitutes. Muslims began arriving in London due to Queen Elizabeth's isolation from Catholic Europe this meant she could create political and commercial alliances with Islamic states. English people had limited understanding in regards to the culture of Muslims and couldn't accept Islam as a religious belief. Some Muslims chose to convert to Christianity. The Queens alliances with different empires brought more elite Muslims to London.