1. Aim: How does Othello’s downfall play out in the falling action? Do Now: Important Dates & Deadlines Tomorrow The Rest of Act 4 DQs are due Weds 3/30- TWO Secondary Source Articles – DUE (Secondary Source Rational Lesson) Thurs 3/31 Secondary Source Rationals & 4 Supporting Quotes – DUE (critique & constructive feedback) Lesson :

2. Aim: How does Othello’s downfall play out in the falling action? Do Now: Finish Film Picking Up Where We Left Off 1. How do we know Iago is winning at this point & is in full control? 2. What did we say about Othello’s state of mind? Lesson: Iago…the Evil Genius Still Playing Mind Games with Othello Othello is not the only thing that has changed….how has the meaning of the handkerchief change Iago is in Full Control  Does Anyone Suspect Him?

3. The Final Set Up In Act 4.1, Why does Iago joke with Cassio about Bianca? What does Othello think he is saying? (line 120-163) To make Othello think they are talking about Desdemona “Poor caitiff…poor rouge…alas I think she loves me” Laughs at the idea that Cassio would every marry Bianca “I marry her? What? A customer?” Othello thinks they are laughing at Des & calling her a whore  Why would this make him so angry? What might this reveal?

4. The Final Set Up Why doesn’t Othello confront Cassio right there? Who arrives? How does this help Iago’s plot even though this is just a coincidence? Curses Cassio: “Let the devil and his dam haunt you.” = sounds like Othello’s jealousy The irony is they are all being haunted by the devil (Iago) Bianca: “This is some minx’s token…give it to your hobbyhorse.” Iago points out: “See how he prizes the foolish woman, your wife! She gave it to him and he gave it to his whore.” Critical Thinking: How has the meaning of the handkerchief changed by this scene?

5. The Final Set Up According to Iago, why should Othello strangle Desdemona rather than poison her? (4.1.214-231) Iago: “Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she has contaminated.” What do you think his real reasons are? What does Othello think of this plan? How is he playing right into Iago’s hands? “The justice of it pleases.” = What’s the irony here?

6. The Final Set Up How does Iago plan Cassio’s murder? How does he convince Roderigo that Cassio must die? Roderigo has almost had it with Iago = totally ticked off Begins to realize that Iago is just using him, & he’s a con = “I have foolishly suffered…I have hear too much for your words and performances are no kin together.” Iago tell him to go home, but Roderigo can’t = He has no more money & he’s sick with scurvy = he’s trapped Iago admits he was using him but now that he sees Roderigo’s passion and “mettle” (strength), he respects him Then says Othello & Des are leaving Cyprus = Cassio will take Othello’s place = must kill Cassio so Othello & Des must stay Reveals the plan (4.2.265-277)

7. Aim: How does Othello’s downfall play out in the falling action? Do Now: Making Connections 1. Is it believable to think that Othello’s love could turn to hate so quickly? How might you explain his behavior? 2. If you were in Othello’s situation, would you believe your best friend over your significant other? Lesson: Taking A Closer Look at Act 4  Othello’s Downfall Othello loses himself – his downfall How do Des and the Other Characters respond to Othello’s change in behavior Emilia  A wife always knows

8. Othello Loses Himself What does Othello’s language in Act 4.1 line 43-51 suggest about his state of mind? Look at all the odd punctuation = hyphens, question marks, exclamation points Not making any sense = no longer the eloquent speaker Incoherent, choppy = broken speech  now he is rude in his speech Completely losing it at this point – his heart broke in Act 3, now his mind is cracking Why does Othello fall unconscious?

9. Othello Loses Himself How is his language much more like that of Iago than it was? (4.1 line 200-205 & 4.2 line 30-105) Let her rot, perish, be damned = She shall not live “My heart has turned to stone.” But…..also says, “The world hath no sweeter creature” = ??? Be double damned, thou art false as hell, thou weed, strumpet, wishes she had never been born, whore, throws money at Emilia as if she were Des’s pimp But…also weeps & calls Des: rose-lipped cherubim, lovely, fair, sweet = what’s going on here? (4.2 line 103-105) How does Othello refer to himself? Why is this significant? “I took you for that cunning whore of Venice that married with Othello.” = 3 rd person = no longer himself

10. Aim: How does Othello’s downfall play out in the falling action? Do Now: Important Reminders 1. Review your primary source rationales, make sure your thesis is your own….not close to something on the net 2. Secondary sources due next Weds. Lesson: Taking A Closer Look at Act 4  Othello’s Downfall How do Des and the Other Characters respond to Othello’s change in behavior Emilia  A wife always knows Activity: Start watching Act 5 – A Fatal End (If time) H.W.: Print out your Act 5 Analysis Questions

11. Desdemona’s Response When Othello hits Desdemona in 4.1, what’s her response? “I have not deserved this.” = How is she right? “I would not stay to offend you.” = still a good wife Othello even points out that she is an obedient wife  read line 284-295 = What do you think of Othello here? (4.2 line 30-102) How does Desdemona defend herself when Othello calls her a whore? Doesn’t understand = “I understand the fury of your word but not the words,” “What ignorant sin have I committed?” = because she has done nothing wrong She’s a true & loyal wife, swears by heaven Tries to comfort Othello = “Alas the heavy day! Why do you weep?” Says she’s a Christian and again prays to heaven to forgive THEM

12. Desdemona’s Response Why doesn’t Desdemona react more strongly? Who does she go to for help? How can you tell Desdemona trusts Iago? Why do you think she trusts him? “Alas Iago, what shall I do to win my lord again? Good friend, go to him, for by heaven, I know not how I have lost him.”

13. Desdemona’s Response How does Desdemona explain Othello’s behavior to herself…with Iago’s help? “The business of the state does him some offense.” How do we know Desdemona still loves Othello? (4.2 line 175-199) Kneels & asks for forgiveness if she ever “trespassed” against his love or wronged him in way = prayer from the heart “Though he do shake me off to beggarly divorcement [I] love him dearly” “His unkindness may defeat my life, but never taint my love” Cannot say the word “whore” the idea “abhors” her This is pure, genuine love

14. Lodovico’s Response How does Lodovico react to Othello’s behavior? (4.1 line 240-320) “My Lord, this would not be believed in Venice!” “Is this the noble Moore whom our full senate call all in all sufficient?...Whose solid virtue [nothing] could pierce?” “I am sorry I am deceived in him” Othello is not only throwing away the one thing he loved most in the world and the one person who loved him more than anything….He is throwing away his reputation….the thing he has worked for his whole life He is throwing away the two things that made him a truly great and honorable man

15. Emilia’s Response In Act 4 scene 2, what does Emilia say when she’s questioned by Othello? Never heard or suspected anything = Never x 4 Heard every word spoken between Cassio & Des saw no harm in it If any man put this thought in your head, remove it, and curse you both with a serpents curse You have the purest of wives; you don’t deserve her In 4.2, Why does Othello summon Emilia if he is not going to accept her testimony?

16. Emilia’s Response Act 4.3.66-117, What do Emilia & Des say about fidelity? Asks Emilia if she thinks a woman would ever abuse a man so; Emilia responds, yes….why does she say this? Des: Would never cheat by heaven’s light Em: Not by heaven’s light but maybe in the dark Des: Would not for the whole world Em: The world’s a huge thing…for a small vice…who wouldn’t cheat on their husbands to make him a king? Em: It’s the husband’s fault if their wives do fall…”The ills we do, their ills instruct us so.” Em: let men know we are just like them: gall, revenge, sense, palates for sweet & sour What is the significance of this conversation?

17. A Wife Always Knows…(4.2.126-201) In the conversation with Iago & Des, she is the only one who speaks plainly and gets to the point…says “whore” x 3 Line 153-156 talking about Iago: eternal villain, insinuating rogue, some cogging, cozening slave to get some office Line 157 – Iago denies it’s him Line 159-169: Emilia’s lang. gets stronger, more angry Line 171-173: Yells at Iago = knows he is the one behind this Some such squire he was that turned your wit to the seamy side without and made you to suspect me with the Moore.