Exam Commentary Plan

Commentary Framework - Act 4 Scene 2

IDENTIFY – SITUATE - CONTEXTUALISE - SUMMARISE

Act 4 Scene 2 begins with Othello demanding the truth from Emilia concerning Desdemona and Cassio. In the previous scenes, Iago successfully manipulates Othello into believing that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio and this made Othello furious. Othello is asking Emilia about this and Emilia, having been often with the two, says that it is not true and that Desdemona is too pure and innocent to commit such thing. However, Othello does not believe Emilia’s words and summons Desdemona whom he interrogates as well. Desdemona, clearly in shock continues to insist that she has done nothing wrong.

THEME/ IDEAS/ CENTRAL CONFLICT or TENSION

Betrayal/infidelity/jealousy – Othello feels betrayed after he believes Desdemona has been having an affair with Cassio. Othello, being an outsider has always been alienated from Venice. Desdemona was the only one who accepted him. This caused the sense of betrayal to be very affecting. This results in Othello’s jealousy of Cassio for taking Desdemona. The three themes are driving forces of Othello’s final plan

Quote - “But there where I have garnered up my heart, Where either I must live or bear no life, The fountain from the which my current runs Or else dries up - to be discarded thence”

ACTION and SETTING

The scene took place in Cyprus during the late 16th century. This was a time when Venice and Turkey were at war.

CHARACTER and RELATIONSHIPS

Othello and Desdemona’s relationship is clearly deteriorating and it is clearly shown in their dialogue. In the earlier scenes in the play, they are caring of each other, respectful and most importantly, they are in love. However, after Othello believes the affair to be true, every piece of trust, care and respect Othello had for Desdemona is vanishes. Othello doesn’t believe anything Desdemona tells him. Also Othello calls Desdemona using offensive names. However, in his speech, it is still clear that Othello still has feelings for Desdemona causing his anger to rise up even more.

Quote – “as summer flies are in the shambles, That quicken even with blowing. O, thou weed, Who art so lovely fair and smell’st so sweet That the sense aches at thee, would thou hadst ne’er been born!”

LANGUAGE/ IMAGERY/ STYLE/ DICTION

Othello’s language is clearly turning into shambles and this is shown as he progresses in his speech as he starts using sexual and foul imagery and loss of flow (enjambments). Also when Othello calls Desdemona offensive names, it also proves how furious Othello has become.

Quote – “…Or keep it as a cistern for foul toads / To knot and gender in!”

TONE/ MOOD/ ATMOSPHERE

The atmosphere and mood of the passage is tense, suspenseful and worrying. The audience/reader knows the truth of the entire situation but the characters don’t. This makes the audience/readers feel anxious and worries about how it will turn out. Also it is suspenseful because due to the fact that the truth isn’t revealed alerts the audience/readers to anticipate on what will happen next. The tone is one of anger and shock. Othello shows anger in his speech while Desdemona shows shock.

CONCLUSION

Othello’s does not believe what Desdemona is saying and leaves. Emilia and Desdemona exchange conversations about how Emilia thinks Othello’s been manipulate. But Iago, joining the conversation wipes that theory off her mind. By the end of the scene, Othello makes up his mind on what he has to to Othello decides to murder Desdemona, which he does and when he finally finds out the truth, he commits suicide.

Commentary Annotations - Act 4 Scene 2

Click on picture to see full size

Comment on Othello’s use of figurative language in this extract. What does his language tell you about his emotions and state of mind?

In this passage, it is clear that Othello's language changed since the beginning of the play. His language has become more vulgar and offensive and someone who used to treat Desdemona with love, care and respect is now calling her a whore, slut, strumpet and a weed pretending to be a flower. Othello also starts to use sexual imagery much like Iago and this proves how much they are becoming alike.

Through Othello's diction and tone it is also clear that he is in anguish and feels a sense of betrayal but also confused at the same time because he still cannot believe that someone he still loves so much (which is also visible in this extract) did such a disgraceful thing. Othello’s mind is shrouded in feeling of betrayal and jealousy.

Compare Othello and Desdemona’s interaction here to earlier scenes in the play.  What is Othello’s view of Desdemona and his attitude towards her? Do you think that their relationship has changed significantly and how?

Othello and Desdemona's relationship undoubtedly changed since the beginning of the play. In the earlier acts, they were respectful, caring and loving to each other and the one time they met, they were all over each other. However after Iago's cunning manipulation, Othello lost respect and trust of Desdemona. Othello is very offensive and constantly accuses Desdemona (calls her a whore and a strumpet and says she lost her honor), while she is in complete shock and confusion. However it is clear that the two are still in love (which makes Othello angrier). Iago has without a doubt successfully ruined their marriage and destroyed the bond between them.