Othello Acts IV & V

Othello by William Shakespeare

Dramatic Irony

In Act IV, Emilia, Iago, and Desdemona have a conversation about someone feeding false rumors to Othello. This situation is ironic because we know that the person doing this is Iago. More irony comes from the fact that Iago is present in the conversation. In addition, Emilia does not know that the “villainous knave” she is talks about is her own husband. “The Moor’s abused by some most villainous knave, some base notorious knave, some scurvy fellow,” (IV, ii, 139-140). More irony appears with Desdemona at the end of Act IV. Emilia and Desdemona are talking about women who would dare to cheat on their husbands. Desdemona says to Emilia, “Beshrew me if I would do such a wrong for the whole world,” (IV, iii, 74-75). The irony comes from the fact that Othello believes that Desdemona has been cheating on him. Desdemona admits that she will never cheat on Othello and always be faithful to him. The irony in this moment portrays the tragedy about to unfold upon this loving couple.