Do You Know Where Cassio Lies
-- Philip Weller, November 13, 1941 - February 1, 2021
Dr. Weller, an Eastern Washington Academy professor of English language and Shakespearean scholar for more than than 50 years.
Detailed Summary of Othello, Human activity three, Scene 4
Page Index:
- Enter Desdemona, Emilia, and Clown.
Desdemona sends the clown for Cassio, considering she hopes that Othello will now restore Cassio to his position. Then she wonders where she could accept lost her handkerchief. - Enter Othello.
Othello questions Desdemona nigh the handkerchief, and tells her that she should never lose it. She tries to talk near Cassio and tells Othello the handkerchief isn't lost, but when she can't show information technology to him, he leaves in a fit of acrimony. - Leave Othello, and so Enter Iago and Cassio.
Iago and Cassio go far. Cassio wants a definite respond to his asking, but Desdemona tells him that Othello is out of humor. Iago pretends surprise that Othello is angry, and leaves, saying he will find out what'south incorrect with him. - Leave Iago.
Emilia thinks Othello is jealous, merely Desdemona talks herself into assertive that Othello is only upset by some trouble in Cyprus, and she tells Cassio to await while she goes to notice Othello. - Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia. Enter Bianca.
Every bit Cassio is waiting, his prostitute girlfriend, Bianca, finds him and complains that he has stayed abroad from her too long. He makes excuses and gives her Desdemona'south handkerchief to copy. Bianca gets jealous, but she takes the handkerchief and persuades Cassio to walk her office way domicile.
Enter Desdemona, Emilia, and Clown:
Desdemona, accompanied past Emilia, asks her servant a elementary question, "Practise you know, sirrah, where Lieutenant Cassio lies?" (3.4.1). She merely wants to know if the servant knows where Cassio is staying, but the servant -- being a clown -- answers with a pun on another pregnant of the word "prevarication." He says that he doesn't dare say that Cassio lies anywhere considering Cassio is a soldier, and to say that a soldier lies could get yous stabbed. "Go to! where lodges he?" (iii.4.seven), Desdemona exclaims. "Go to" is an extremely mutual phrase which means something like "become out of my face up" or "stop kidding"; in this instance, Desdemona seems to be expressing a kind of exasperated entertainment.
Later on bandying a few more words with the retainer, Desdemona gets him to go tell Cassio to come to her, because she has proficient news for him: "Tell him I have moved [made a strong plea to] my lord [Othello] on his behalf, and hope all will be well" (iii.4.18-xix).
Once the retainer is gone on his errand, Desdemona asks, "Where should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia?" (3.4.23). The modernistic phrase for "Where should I lose" is "where could I take lost." As Emilia mentioned in the previous scene, Desdemona always keeps that special handkerchief with her, and so she's puzzled that she tin't call back where she left information technology.
Emilia says that she doesn't know where the handkerchief is. This is a lie. Emilia knows that Iago has the handkerchief, but she probably assumes that Iago will eventually return it. We know that the handkerchief is bear witness in Iago's case against Desdemona, but the women know cipher about that, and Emilia doesn't mean any harm to Desdemona.
Desdemona likewise feels a fiddling guilt about losing the handkerchief and is glad that "my noble Moor / Is true of mind and made of no such baseness / As jealous creatures are," because otherwise the loss of the handkerchief might be "enough / To put him to sick thinking" (3.2.26-29). Emilia seems to take a doubt about Othello not being jealous, but Desdemona says confidently, "I think the sun where he was born / Drew all such humours from him" (3.four.thirty-31). "Humours" (actual fluids) were thought to control a person'southward temperament; for instance, a person who was full of phlegm (mucous) would exist phlegmatic (slow, cold). Desdemona is sure that the lord's day of Africa baked out any humours that could have made Othello a jealous homo.
Enter Othello:
As Desdemona and Emilia are speaking of Othello, he appears. Desdemona says to Emilia, "I will not exit him now till Cassio / Exist phone call'd to him" (3.iv.32-33). But though Desdemona is looking forrad to the successful decision of her entrada to restore Cassio to his position, Othello has something else on his mind.
Nether Iago's influence, Othello has already decided that Desdemona is guilty of infidelity, and he has vowed to kill her, but tin't merely dismiss her from his thoughts and go on with his life. He wants proof that he is right about her, so he wants run across the Desdemona that he has never known earlier, the one he has promised to hate. At the same fourth dimension, he wants to pretend that nothing has happened, that he still loves her. Thus, when he greets her, the words are inappreciably out of his mouth when he says to himself, "O, hardness to dissemble! (3.iv.34).
The confusion of Othello's emotions leads him to say some confusing things. What he says sounds like it might exist dearest-talk or witty repartee, but information technology has some odd twists. Taking Desdemona's hand, he comments that it is moist. He doesn't hateful that her hand is wet, simply that it'due south soft and polish, like the hand of a woman that uses a good quality hand lotion. In Shakespeare'south fourth dimension -- as in ours -- a moist hand was a adept affair for a woman to accept, merely as Othello talks on he implies that her hand is too moist. He says that her hand shows that she has "fruitfulness and liberal center" (3.4.38). These are also good qualities, but then Othello says,
Hot, hot, and moist. This manus of yours requires
A sequester from liberty, fasting and prayer,
Much castigation [penance], practice devout [spiritual do];
For here'due south a immature and sweating devil here,
That commonly rebels. 'Tis a skillful hand,
A frank one. (3.4.39-44)
The "young and sweating devil" is sexual appetite, and Othello is implying that she has besides much sexual appetite, but Desdemona could have what he says every bit just a lover's teasing. Similarly, when he says that she has a "frank" hand, she could take that as a compliment, because a person with a frank mitt is honest and generous, although Othello is thinking that she is existence dishonest with him and much too generous with Cassio.
Apparently Desdemona takes Othello's remarks equally love-talk, because she replies, "Yous may, indeed, say so; / For 'twas that hand that gave abroad my centre" (3.4.44-45). She means that hers is indeed a generous hand, because when she gave him her manus, she gave him her heart, as well. Othello answers, "A liberal manus. The hearts of old gave hands; / Simply our new heraldry is easily, not hearts" (three.four.46-47). Othello ways that in the good sometime days someone who had already given her centre then gave her hand, merely that now the outward signs of honey ("heraldry") are only signs, only hands. In other words, he's accusing her of having given him her hand in marriage without loving him, but he doesn't
saythat. Instead, he puts information technology in the form of disruptive give-and-take-play.
Because she has no suspicion of Othello'south suspicions, Desdemona doesn't catch the implications of Othello'due south words and is but confused. She tries to turn the conversation abroad from the strange path it has taken, proverb, "I cannot speak of this. Come now, your promise" (3.4.48). She's referring to Othello's hope to give Cassio his job dorsum, and she tells her married man that she's already sent for Cassio. She obviously thinks that her efforts on behalf of Cassio are about to succeed, but we know that Othello has already gotten Iago'southward promise that Cassio will die.
Othello responds to the mention of Cassio only past setting a trap for his wife, saying, "I accept a salt and sad rheum offends me; / Lend me thy handkerchief." (iii.4.51-52). He'due south claiming that he has a bad head cold, and asks her for her handkerchief. She offers him a handkerchief, merely he asks for the 1 he gave her. When she tells him that she doesn't accept it with her, she walks into the trap because Othello believes that if she doesn't have the handkerchief, she must have given it to Cassio.
In a barely controlled rage, Othello tells Desdemona that she should have the handkerchief with her because it should never be lost. Information technology was given to Othello'southward mother past an Egyptian who was "a charmer, and could virtually read / The thoughts of people" (3.4.57-58). Egyptians -- similar the gypsies who were idea to be descended from them -- had the reputation of existence able to cast charms and foretell the future, and this one told Othello'southward female parent that the handkerchief had a special magic. As long equally Othello'south mother kept it, she would proceed the honey of her husband, but that "if she lost it / Or made gift of it, my father'due south centre / Should hold her loathed" (3.4.60-62). When she was dying, Othello's female parent gave him the handkerchief and told him to give information technology to his wife when he married. Therefore, Othello warns Desdemona, "To lose't or give't abroad were such perdition [loss, damnation] / As aught else could match" (3.4.67-68).
We know that the handkerchief is precious to Desdemona, just its history is news to her, and she exclaims, "Is't possible?" (3.iv.68), to which Othello answers, "'Tis true: there's magic in the spider web [weave, fabric] of it" (three.4.69). He so tells her that its decorations were sewn by a two-hundred-year-old prophetess, that its silk came from blessed silk worms, and that "information technology was dyed in mummy which the skilful / Conserved of maidens' hearts" (3.iv.74-75). "Mummy" is fluid fatigued from embalmed bodies, and to "conserve" something is brand a special mixture which will last a long time. (That's why jams and jellies are sometimes called "conserves.")
All of this information, especially the gruesome part about "maidens' hearts," has an ominous tone, and Desdemona understands that she could earn his detest by losing the handkerchief. Alarmed, she blurts out, "So would to God that I had never seen't!" (3.iv.77). Othello jumps on this, with "Ha! wherefore?" (3.iv.78). He is request why she wishes she had never seen the handkerchief, but in such a way that information technology's more an accusation than a question. Desdemona asks, "Why do you speak so startingly and rash?" (iii.iv.79). ("Startingly" is a form of the give-and-take "kickoff," in the sense of moving suddenly and involuntarily, as when a person is startled by a loud noise.) Othello has lost almost all of his self-control and barks out his words as he asks her if she has lost the handkerchief, if it's gone, if it'south misplaced.
Reacting to the intense pressure Othello is putting on her, Desdemona lies. She says, "It is not lost; but what an if it were?" (3.4.83). It's not a big lie. After all, she had information technology with her before, and she'southward probably thinking that the handkerchief must be effectually the firm somewhere, just information technology is a lie. Othello knows information technology is a prevarication, and therefore believes that he has the terminal proof that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. After this, their conversation turns into a one-sided shouting match. He demands that she notice the handkerchief and show information technology to him. She tells him that he's just trying to avoid the subject of her asking to take Cassio restored to his position. Of form, hearing about Cassio again just further enrages Othello, but Desdemona can't know that, since everything went so well during their previous talk about Cassio.
Three times Desdemona tries to talk about Cassio, and iii times Othello shouts "The handkerchief!" (3.4.92), until Desdemona makes a stand and tells him that this argument is his fault. She says, "I' faith, yous are to blame" (3.four.97). The thought that
heis the 1 to blame is likewise much for Othello, and with an oath, he turns and rushes out of the room.
Leave Othello:
Every bit soon as Othello is gone, Emilia comments, "Is not this man jealous?" (3.4.99). Remember, at the beginning of the scene Desdemona had said that Othello was not the jealous blazon. Now Emilia is questioning that. Desdemona replies that she has never seen Othello like this before, and worries that in that location really is some magic in the handkerchief that she has lost. Emilia and so passes the whole thing off with a joke near how terrible men are: "'Tis non a year or ii shows us a man: / They are all but stomachs, and nosotros all but food; / They eat the states hungerly, and when they are full, / They belch us" (three.iv.103-106). Emilia'due south "'Tis not a year or two shows united states of america a man" probably means that a woman can't understand a man in a year or two, which would explain why newly-married Desdemona hasn't seen this side of Othello before. However, Emilia's comment could too hateful that a woman tin can look a year or two without finding a
human being, one who would non "belch" a woman after he has wooed and won her. In any case, Emilia has a depression stance of men, and therefore isn't specially surprised at Othello's outburst.
At this moment, Iago and Cassio appear. All the same working hard on his evil plot, Iago is encouraging Cassio to appeal once again to Desdemona. (At the beginning of the scene Desdemona sent her servant to tell Cassio to come to her because she would probably take good news for him, but apparently her message was never delivered.) Iago is saying to Cassio, "At that place is no other way; 'tis she must exercise't: / And, lo, the happiness! Become, and importune her" (iii.four.107-108).
Cassio does importune her, and he is fifty-fifty more pathetic than before. He says that he honors Othello, just adds, "I would non exist delay'd" (three.4.114). He wants a definite answer, and now. He hopes that Othello will restore him to his position considering of his past service, because he is sorry for what he has washed, and considering he plans to exercise a better job in the time to come. Only, Cassio continues, if he tin't have his job dorsum, information technology will be best to know it. If that'south the instance, he says, "Then shall I clothe me in a forced content, / And shut myself up in some other form, / To fortune's alms" (3.iv.120-122). "Fortune's alms" are the occasional handouts of pocket-sized change that fortune tosses to beggars. Cassio is feeling rather pitiful for himself.
Desdemona is still reeling from Othello's anger, and her reply to Cassio shows how shaken she is. She has lost her self-assurance and her certainty that she knows her husband. She tells Cassio, "My advocation is non now in tune; / My lord is non my lord; nor should I know him, / Were he in favour [appearance] as in humour [mental attitude] alter'd" (three.4.123-125). In other words, now is not a good time to talk to Othello; he'due south not himself, and if his appearance had changed as much every bit his mental attitude, she wouldn't recognize him. She goes on to tell Cassio that she has done all she can for him, and "stood within the bare of his [Othello's] displeasure / For my free oral communication!" (iii.four.128-129). A "blank" is a white center of an archery target, and Desdemona, who has known only dear from Othello, has been wounded by his "displeasure." She will continue to practise what she can for Cassio, only he must be patient.
To Cassio's credit, he respects Desdemona enough to shut upwardly. Iago, however, keeps playing his hypocritical game. He pretends great surprise that Othello is angry. He declares that he has seen Othello keep his head in battle, when men were dying all around him, so that if he'due south angry now, information technology must exist virtually something important. "I will go meet him" he says as he hurries away. Desdemona replies, "I prithee, exercise and then" (3.4.140), apparently under the impression that Iago is going to find out what'due south wrong with Othello and calm him downwardly. We, knowing his real intent, feel even more sorry for Desdemona.
Exit Iago:
Iago leaves the scene, but his pretended surprise at Othello'due south anger has its effect on Desdemona. Emilia had expressed the opinion that Othello was jealous, just now Desdemona starts thinking that the cause of his anger must surely be something else. She says, "Something, sure, of state, / Either from Venice, or some unhatch'd practise / Fabricated demonstrable here in Cyprus to him, / Hath puddled his clear spirit" (3.4.140-143). Something "of state" is something having to do with politics, and an "unhatch'd exercise" is a plot that is nevertheless being plotted.
At this point Desdemona's thinking takes an unhappy plough. Every bit women sometimes do, she starts to blame herself for what her husband has done to her. She says that when in that location's a serious problem, "Men's natures wrangle with junior things, / Though great ones are their object" (3.four.144-145). In other words, something has gone incorrect at piece of work, and Othello was just taking it out on her, the "inferior thing." She reasons that if we have a finger that aches, our whole body is filled with a sense of hurting, and she concludes that she has been expecting as well much of Othello. She says, "Nay, we must think men are non gods, / Nor of them look for such observances / As fit the bridal" (iii.iv.148-150). If men are not gods, and if they can't exist expected to ever act as if they are on their honeymoon, and so she'southward the one who is in the wrong. She says,
Beshrew me much, Emilia,
I was, unhandsome warrior as I am,
Arraigning his unkindness with my soul;
But now I find I had suborn'd the witness,
And he'due south indicted falsely. (3.iv.150-154)
An "unhandsome warrior" is ane who can't bear out his duties; Desdemona feels she has failed in her duty to stand past her man. In her soul she was bringing Othello upwardly on charges of treating her badly, but now she feels that the witness (she herself) has lied.
Emilia, unconvinced by Desdemona's reasoning, says diplomatically, "Pray sky information technology exist state-matters, every bit you think, / And no conception nor no jealous toy / Concerning you." (3.4.155-157). A "toy" is a empty-headed or stupid thought, and Emilia conspicuously thinks that Othello could be toying with the stupid idea that Desdemona is unfaithful to him. (Later we will learn that Emilia knows that Iago has a "jealous toy" of his own -- the thought that she'southward having an affair with Othello. Therefore Emilia thinks she knows jealousy when she sees it.) Desdemona replies, "Alas the twenty-four hour period! I never gave him cause" (3.4.158), which gives Emilia the take a chance to remind her that jealousy doesn't need a crusade; "Information technology is a monster / Begot upon itself, built-in on itself" (three.four.161-162). Desdemona exclaims, "Heaven continue that monster from Othello'southward mind!" (three.4.163), and Emilia -- who probably thinks that she'southward said all she can -- but answers, "Lady, amen" (3.4.164).
As though to show to herself that she's correct about Othello, and that he isn't jealous, Desdemona says that she will go seek him out. She tells Cassio to wait while she does and then, because if she has a gamble she will renew her appeal to Othello to restore Cassio to his position. We know that this a dangerous thing for her to do, just she doesn't and she leaves, taking Emilia with her. (Equally information technology turns out, Desdemona doesn't observe her husband; the next fourth dimension we run across them together, he has come up to find her.)
Exeunt Desdemona and Emilia. Enter Bianca:
Hoping that Desdemona might be able to bring Othello back with a conclusion about his task, Cassio waits lone, but not for long, because Bianca shows up. She'south Cassio's girlfriend, and she'southward probably wearing clothes that evidence what her line of work is -- she'southward a prostitute. Cassio is surprised to run across her, and he doesn't desire to be seen with her if Othello should come back to speak with him. The first thing he says to her is "What make you lot from home?" Only then he remembers that he probably should be nice to her, and tells a sweet lie: "How is information technology with you, my most fair Bianca? / I' faith, sweet love, I was coming to your house" (3.4.170-171).
Bianca replies that she was looking for him, and complains that he hasn't been to meet her in a week. (If you lot commencement asking simply when or where Cassio terminal saw Bianca, the play won't give you a clear answer. Shakespeare often telescopes fourth dimension.) Cassio is supposed to be Bianca's lover, and she is finding it hard to understand why he has been away so long. Cassio explains that he's had things on his mind, but that he'll soon make everything up to her. In the concurrently, he'd similar her to copy a handkerchief for him. It is, of course, Desdemona'due south handkerchief, though Cassio doesn't know it.
(Why does Cassio want the handkerchief copied? Just because. He doesn't know that it'southward Desdemona's handkerchief, and he doesn't know that Emilia had planned to take it copied. He simply knows that it's not his, and that sooner or afterward its owner will desire it dorsum, merely he would like to have one just like it.)
The sight of a woman'due south handkerchief gives Bianca an attack of jealousy, though not Othello's kind of enraged jealousy. She teases Cassio that the handkerchief "is some token from a newer friend: / To the felt absence now I feel a cause: / Is't come to this? Well, well" (3.iv.181-183). Cassio is offended by this, and tells her that non only is the handkerchief not a honey token, he doesn't know whose it is. He says he found it in his chamber, and we know that Iago has carried out his plan to leave the handkerchief where Cassio would find it.
Despite Bianca's complaints and jealousy, Cassio seems to be sure that in that location's not much that could scare her off; he tells her curtly, "Have it, and do't; and leave me for this time" (3.iv.191). Bianca takes the handkerchief, merely naturally she wants to know why Cassio doesn't want her around. He explains that he's waiting for Othello and it wouldn't be helpful "To have him see me woman'd" (3.iv.195). When she asks why that is, he answers that it's not because he doesn't love her. Bianca doubts that he's telling the truth, but she talks him into walking with her a little manner, so that they tin plan their adjacent meeting. Reluctantly, Cassio agrees, and they both exit.
Source: https://shakespeare-navigators.com/othello/S34.html
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