Othello Acts IV & V

Othello by William Shakespeare

Foreshadowing

In Act IV, we see foreshadowing from Desdemona and Emilia. “If I do die before thee, prithee shroud me in one of those same sheets,” (IV, iii, 22-23). Desdemona foreshadows her own death. She mentions sheets which foreshadows her death in her own bed. Emilia foreshadows revenge upon her husband. Moreover, she reveals her true feelings about men and her true personality. Iago has definitely underestimated Emilia. “Yet we have some revenge. Let husbands know their wives have sense like them,” (IV,iii, 89-90). In Act V, Emilia becomes a dynamic character in becoming confident and attacking Iago with questions about Desdemona after her death. Her revenge comes through her change to her being at the “top” of the relationship.

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.

Othello

Othello by William Shakespeare

Desdemona’s behavior towards her father in Act I, set her up for suspicious and deceptive behavior. Her behavior helps Iago plant a seed of doubt in Othello regarding Desdemona. Brabantio says, “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see. She has deceived her father, and may thee,” (I, iii, 289-290). This line reveals an element of foreshadowing, which is a literary technique Shakespeare often employs in his plays. In Act III, Iago remind Othello of her behavior towards her father to increase Othello’s doubt. “She did deceive her father, marrying you,” (III, iii, 207). Desdemona’s sweet nature towards other men will increase Othello’s suspicions. Her early deception towards her father will blind Othello. He will forget that she left her father for his love.

Othello

Othello by William Shakespeare

Iago

Iago is perfect in the art of deceiving others. His understanding of human nature and reputation of being an honest man lead others to put absolute trust in him. For example, in Act III, Othello says, “This fellow’s of exceeding honesty, and knows all qualities, with a learned spirit of human dealings,” (III, iii, 259-261). Iago is two faced and establishes his motives for his behavior early on in the play. Iago strongly dislikes Othello because Iago suspects that his wife cheated on him with Othello. Moreover, Iago is angry that he does not have a high-ranking military position with Othello. Iago’s two-faced nature is exemplified when he says to Othello’s face that he loves him and acts as a loving friend to him when he actually despises Othello. For example, “My lord, you know I love you,” (III, iii, 118). The only person who knows Iago’s nature is Roderigo. However, Iago is even deceiving him by acting as if he is trying to persuade Desdemona to leave Othello. Iago is able to use peoples wishes and motives to align his own scheme.

Othello

Othello by William Shakespeare

Dramatic Irony

The primary literary element in Othello is dramatic irony. This tool makes the audience cringe at characters unwillingly listening to Iago who easily deceives them. An example of dramatic irony is present in Act III with Cassio’s interaction with Desdemona. The audience knows that Cassio and Desdemona are friends. Cassio is only asking for her help in gaining back his position through Othello’s forgiveness. Othello sees this interaction as harmless. However, Iago, the driving force of the dramatic irony in this play, deceives Othello to suspect a relationship between Cassio and Desdemona. The audience, along with Iago, knows that Cassio was only asking for help in getting forgiveness and that Othello should suspect nothing. The dramatic irony of this situation is revealed through Iago’s soliloquies. For example, “Myself the while to draw the Moor apart and bring him jump when he may Cassio find soliciting his wife. Aye, that’s the way. Dull not device by coldness and delay, (II, iii, 348-351).

Othello

Othello by William Shakespeare

Racism

Othello’s African American ethnicity plays a large role in Othello because it is a source of dislike towards him. Throughout Acts I and II there are remarks about race, which reveal the typical stereotypes that Othello deals with. When Brabantio reacts to finding out that Desdemona married Othello, he says, “Get weapons, ho!” (I, i, 179). This statement reveals the attitude that African Americans were viewed as less than human. Had Desdemona married a white man, Brabantio would not have reacted this way. Another example of a remark about ethnicity is when the Duke speaks highly of Othello to Brabantio. “Your son-in-law is far more fair than black,” (I, iii, 287). This remark not only characterizes Othello as educated and well-mannered, but  it also implies that African Americans were viewed as inferior and ill-behaved. In Act II, Iago talks to Desdemona about women, and even in this setting negative remarks towards ethnicity are made. For example, “If she be black, and thereto have a wit, she’ll find a white that shall her blackness fit,” (II, i, 132-133). In this remark, black means ugly. Othello’s ethnicity early in the play is appearing to be an important factor throughout the whole.

“You’re Ugly, Too”

“You’re Ugly, Too” by Lorrie Moore

Zoe’s relationship with her sister

Zoe and Evan have a healthy sister relationship. However, the roles of being an older sister to Evan have switched with Evan growing and finding companionship. Evan and Zoe regularly keep in contact with each other despite living far away from each other. Evan has been successful in her relationships, especially with her boyfriend Charlie. On the other hand, Zoe has had great difficulty in this area because her lack of maturity when it comes to relationships. Evan now plays more of the “big sister” role in giving Zoe advice and trying to help her with her relationships. This switch of roles provokes Zoe to feel jealous of Evan. “Zoe had always taken care of her, advising, reassuring, unitl recently, when it seemed Evan had started advising and reassuring her. It startled Zoe,” (Moore, 360).  Zoe grows more jealous upon finding out that Evan is engaged to her boyfriend. Most often, older sisters get married before the younger sisters. This short story exhibits that being an older sister does not necessarily come from order of birth, but from growth and maturity in life.