Act 4, Scene 3

Act 4, Scene 3

1. Emilia helps prepare Desdemona for bed

   • Emilia wishes Desdemona had never met Othello
     • Desdemona says she loves him so much, even his bad behaviour has a kinda grace to her
       • Desdemona instructs Emilia to use her wedding bedsheets as a shroud, should she die
       • Still faithful
         • Cost her her life
           • contrasts strongly with the graphic, misogynistic picture of female sexuality Iago has described throughout the play

2. Desdemona sings "Willow"

   • Learnt from mother's maid whose husband was mad and abandoned her

3. Desdemona asks Emilia if she would cheat

   • Emilia believes women and men are alike, if one cheats the other does the same
     • Desdemona does not want to learn about this and goes to sleep
       • Desdemona's displays her virtue and faithfulness, which Othello can no longer see.
     • Cynical view of marriage
       • Believes men will always cheat first