Act 4 Scene 3

• What does Desdemona express before going to bed?

  Her unwavering love for Othello
• What does the “Willow Song” foreshadow?

  Desdemona's death
• What does Desdemona request regarding her burial?

  • To be shrouded in her wedding sheets
  • Symbolizes her faithfulness to Othello
  • Reflects her hope for their relationship in the afterlife
• What do wedding sheets symbolize in Elizabethan culture?

  Faithfulness and love towards spouses
• What does Desdemona's request for sheets imply about her marriage?

  They may not have consummated their marriage
• How does Desdemona's request reflect her feelings towards Othello?

  She remains loyal despite his mistreatment
• What does Emilia critique in her dialogue?

  Societal expectations of women and marriage
• What does Emilia mean by “The ills we do, their ills instruct us so”?

  Men's mistreatment of women justifies their actions
• How does Emilia's perspective challenge societal norms?

  • Challenges double standards of behavior
  • Empathizes with women wrongfully condemned
  • Critiques patriarchal views on gender roles
• What does Emilia's character represent in the context of the play?

  A proto-feminist challenge to patriarchy
• How does Emilia's statement foreshadow Desdemona's fate?

  Desdemona's life is sacrificed due to Othello's faults
• What literary device does Shakespeare use through Emilia's character?

  To challenge patriarchal and misogynistic views