Dear class ,
At the very beginning of Othello act 4 I was extremely puzzled. Its almost seems like I’m reading a play about high school kids, because of all the child like things Iago does to prove his statements about Desdemona. It starts off with Iago stating that he will let Othello here for himself , what Casio and Desdemona have been up to , and ends up talking about Bianca. Also its strange to me that as a reader Othello doesn’t really show any hatred for Cassio , the first thing that he mentioned once the misleading conversation between Iago and Cassio Is that he will kill Desdemona by poisoning her.
Questions: 1. Was Iago breaking the fourth wall , when he revealed his true plans about talking about Bianca with Cassio to make it seem as it was Desdemona they were speaking of; or was this just a way for the writer to exhibit the Ludicrous mind of Iago?
2.Was Othello hiding when this was going on , because at one point Iago ask him to “withdraw”?
Hi A.Duchemin,
I agree that Act 4 was really confusing, especially the part where Iago and Cassio talking about Bianca as if it was Desdemona they were talking about. I think Othello was hiding in the room while they were talking. In the original text, in line 92, Iago is asking Othello “will you withdraw?”. At first, I thought he was asking Othello to leave, but when I read the modern translation it was translated as “will you go hide?”
I feel like your questions highlight the problem with the motivations of Iago as a character. They are defenitely all over the place, with him both lusting over Desdemona yet goading Othello to the point of putting her life in danger by him being one of the many contradictions in his actions. Perhaps this speaks to his mental state as a character?
Hey A.Duchemin,
I also believe that Act 4 was pretty bewildering, more like the whole poem since Shakespeare’s poems are really difficult to understand. I don’t think that Othello doesn’t show any hatred towards Cassio because its clear he is furious and jealous from him. But, this is only because Iago is putting this hatred in Othello and making false accusations that Desdemona is an adulterous. I believe the writer used this part where they speak about Bianca instead of Desdemona to show how foolish Iago’s mind is. Iago goes to the extent where not only is he tricking Othello but also using Cassio without him being aware and he deceives all the characters.
I agree, act 4 seemed a bit juvenile. I do think Iago breaks the 4th wall in a way. I think Shakespeare uses this tool to help the audience understand the character on a deeper level, with no one around to talk to theres no reason to hide true intentions.