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3.4 Explanation of Shakespeare's Othello

March 8, 2007

The scene opens with the comic relief offered by the clown's discussion of the word lie. In the play, to lie can mean three things. Desdemona uses it here to mean "to lie down to sleep" or "to lie down in one's home where one lives." The clown jokes about the other possible meaning, "to tell a lie." The audience�will soon learn in 4.1 that to lie can also mean to�lie with someone (i.e., sex). This is the meaning that will throw Othello into a fit. So, the term is very important in the play on multiple levels.

We also have�dramatically interesting crescendo in the scene when Othello and Desdemona argue about the handkerchief and Cassio. Listen to the show for details.

Also at the core of the scene is the nature of jealousy. Emilia points�to the nature of it (it begets itself upon itself) [something, as I point out in the lecture, that Iago has done to himself[; and the scene�ends with Bianca, too, in a fit of jealousy. The Bianca plot, then, serves as a foil or mirror to the main plot. How does seeing how ridiculous her jealousy is help the audience see the danger of Othello'?

Enjoy!�

Permalink 2 Comments

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Comments

1. Sarah

   Thank You Mr. Martin!

   Hello Mr. Greg Martin,,,
   I'm Sarah from Saudi Arabia. I am studying the ESL. I have been listening to your podcast since 2 months. I find it so useful and it helps me a lot in analysis the play. However, I ask you to do the explanation of the rest of the play that you did not because i need it desperatly. And not to forget the Victorian literature.
   I really appreciate your work!
   
   Regards,
   Sarah

   April 4, 2008

2. mduduzi dlamini

   ex

   what a an excellent presentation.really its helpful.

   November 29, 2007

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