Chapter Commentary of The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice - Study Guide by William Shakespeare

this as an epileptic fit to Cassio but whether this is actually the case, or whether it is an excuse for Othello’s fit of passion caused by the images that Iago’s words provoke, is debatable and only of academic interest⁷. What is important is that this fit shows how powerful Iago’s words are:

Work on,

My medicine, work! Thus credulous fools are caught...(4.1.44-45)

Othello himself acknowledges his demise from the noble warrior that addressed the senate in Act I, scene 3 to the savage, passion-ruled animal that he has become, saying, "A horned man’s a monster, and a beast"⁸ (4.1.62). Iago repeatedly tells Othello to be "a man", "...bear your fortune like a man!", "Good sir, be a man", which makes his "unmanning; of Othello all the clearer and more effective. He then tells Othello to hide himself so that he witness Iago and Cassio talking, ostensibly about Desdemona. Iago bids him keep quiet because otherwise his plan, his delicate "net" will be undone and again refers to his manhood,

I say, but mark his gesture; marry, patience,

Or I shall say you’re in all in spleen

And nothing of a man.(4.1.87-89)

Iago then questions Cassio about Bianca. Othello, hidden from their sight, listens under the impression that Cassio is talking about Desdemona, laughingly: "poor caitiff (wretch)...she was here even now, she haunts me in every place...the bauble (childish person)...falls me thus about my neck...so hangs and lolls and weeps upon me, so shakes and pulls me! Ha, ha, ha!". Othello, hearing this, is reminded of earlier images, "O, I see that nose of yours..." and, with the arrival of Bianca upon the scene, he sees her with Desdemona’s handkerchief also. He is convinced and resolves that she must die – "...let her rot and perish and be damned / tonight for she shall not live" (4.1.188-89) Though, as he says, his heart "is turned to stone", he still recognises her beauty and gentleness, "so delicate with her needle, an admirable musician...she will sing the savageness out of a bear!...and then of so gentle a condition". "Ay, too gentle" replies Iago, and in this we see the tragedy of Othello, "the pity of it, Iago – O Iago, the pity of it, Iago!". On this note, his resolution to kill her becomes a practical one, that he shall strangle her that night. For his part, Iago promises to undertake the death of Cassio.

Ludovico arrives with news from Venice that Othello must return, leaving Cassio in his place as governor. Othello’s manners have changed a great deal since Act I. He does not return Ludovico’s good wishes, "God save you, worthy general", merely accepts them, "With all my heart, sir". Desdemona’s mention of her innocent love for Cassio, "for the love I bear to Cassio" prompts an inappropriate response, "Fire and brimstone!". Most shockingly, he strikes Desdemona, calling her "Devil!". Ludovico is shocked. "My lord, this would not be believed in Venice", he says. He does not repent, "O devil, devil! / If that the earth could teem with woman’s tears / Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile". This reference to animals is found again a little later with the oath, "Goats and monkeys!". Ludovico cannot understand this change in Othello’s character, "Is this the noble moor whom our full senate call all in all sufficient?...Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?". "He is much changed", Iago confirms.

Act IV, scene 2 demonstrates Othello’s madness, Desdemona’s innocence and Emilia’s insight. Othello confronts both Emilia, "You have seen nothing then?..." and Desdemona, "Why, what art thou?...". Emilia protests Desdemona’s innocence, "Not ever heard, nor ever did suspect...", as does Desdemona, "Your wife, my lord, your true and loyal wife...how am I false?...what ignorant sin have I committed?...By heaven, you do me wrong...". The tragedy is that, though it makes no sense - "the sense aches at thee" (4.2.69), "...answers have I none..." (4.2.105) - Othello remains resolute, "Heaven knows that thou art false as hell...Was this fair paper, this most goodly book / made to write whore upon?... Impudent strumpet!". Desdemona in her innocence can only think that his anger must stem from state business; in her humility that she is "a child to chiding". Her love is immortal and she, unwittingly prescient, "Unkindness may