Othello by William Shakespeare | Act 3, Scene 4

Professor Bradley Greenburg of Northeastern Illinois University provides an in-depth summary and analysis of Act 3, Scene 4 of William Shakespeare's play Othello.

Othello, written in 1603-4, centers on a mysterious conflict between the Moorish protagonist by the same name as the play and his malevolent ensign Iago. Othello of Venice, Italy is a passionate soldier and lover who woos the noble and good-hearted Desdemona.

Sadly, Othello remains oblivious to the plots of mastermind Iago, who is puppeteering schemes involving all the plays other characters. "Honest Iago" manipulates his friends and confidants at every turn, staying one step ahead of them and turning them against one another. By the end of the play, Iago has trapped and killed almost all the characters in his web of lies.

Did you know? The character Othello wasn't played by a black actor for more than two centuries after the play was written.

And consider these common phrases first invented by Shakespeare in Othello: "forgone conclusion," "jealousy is the green-eyed monster," and "wear my heart upon my sleeve."

About Course Hero:

Master Your Classes™ with Course Hero!

Get the latest updates:

[angelvelezsalazar]

Desdemona orders the clown to find Cassio and bring him the message that she has made her suit to Othello. As the clown departs, Desdemona wonders to Emilia where her handkerchief might be. Othello enters and tells Desdemona to give him her hand. She does so, and he chastises her for her hand’s moistness, which suggests sexual promiscuity. He then asks her to lend him her handkerchief. When Desdemona cannot produce the handkerchief he wants to see, Othello explains the handkerchief’s history. An Egyptian sorceress gave it to his mother and told her that it would make her desirable and keep Othello’s father loyal, but if she lost it or gave it away, Othello’s father would leave her. Othello’s mother gave him the magic handkerchief on her deathbed, instructing him to give it to the woman he desired to marry. Desdemona is unsettled by the story and says that she has the handkerchief, but not with her. Othello does not believe her. As he accuses her, demanding “The handkerchief!” with increasing vehemence, she entreats for Cassio as a way of changing the subject.

After Othello storms off, Emilia laments the fickleness of men. Cassio and Iago enter, and Cassio immediately continues with his suit to Desdemona for help. Desdemona tells Cassio that his timing is unfortunate, as Othello is in a bad humor, and Iago promises to go soothe his master. Emilia speculates that Othello is jealous, but Desdemona maintains her conviction that Othello is upset by some political matter. She tells Cassio to wait while she goes to find Othello and bring him to talk with his former lieutenant.

[Choombruh]

Why did Cassio asked Bianca to copy the stitching on the handkerchief?

[fddffdsasxxfcccxxx]

Can someone plz tell me what is the setting for act 3 scene 4 ?