Act 3 Scene 4 study questions

1. In line 25 Emilia lies to Desdemona about the handkerchief  and says "Is he not jealous?".Emilia purposely does not choose to tell Desdemona about her taking the handkerchief and giving it to Iago. Emilia may have chosen to not tell Desdemona about the handkerchief as she wishes to please her husband be loyal to him as she is desperate for his love. Or she wishes to contribute to Desdemona's death due to her jealousy because of Desdemona's and Othello's loving relationship which she wants herself.  

2. In line 107, Emilia's view of men differs from Desdemona's view of Othello. Desdemona speaks highly of Othello and speaks of her love and compassion for him. However Emilia has no respect for me or her husband Iago. Emilia says "Tis not a year or two shows us a man: They are all but stomachs, and we all but food; They eat us hungrily, and when they are full They belch us out". Emilia speech obviously has reference to sexual content. I believe that she speaks of men in this way because of her own experiences with Iago. Iago simply uses her then chucks her away, once he has got what he has desired.

3. In line 126 Desdemona says 'stood within the blank of his displeasure". This statement by Desdemona is very ironic as the word "blank" definition is: showing a lack of comprehension or reaction. Othello in this instance is not showing a lack of comprehension or reaction but instead is very concerned and his reaction will quickly escalate due to Othello's concern with Desdemona and Cassio. 

4. We found out in a future scene that Bianca is a prostitute that Cassio has been sleeping with. It is apparent that Cassio and Bianca have some sought of relationship, however it is unclear. Bianca came in to the possession of Desdemona's handkerchief when Cassio gave it to her to make a copy of it as he found it in his chamber and liked the work of it: "I know not, sweet: I found it in my chamber. I like the work well. Ere it be demanded (As like enough it will), i'd have it copied: Take it, and do't; and leave me for this time."

5. Bianca in the end agrees to leave for Cassio and to see him later. Cassio doesn't want Othello to see him as "womaned" as he wants to be seen a someone who is solely focussed  on his duties and has loyalty to his position.  However, if Othello saw Bianca and Cassio together it would resolve Othello's jealousy over Desdemona and Cassio as he would see their relationship does not exist in a sexual way.