Act 4 of Othello runs 691 lines across 3 scenes, carrying about 19.4% of the play’s total dialogue with 8 named speakers. It’s shorter than the play’s average act (712 lines).
Act opens (Scene 1, Iago): “Or to be naked with her friend in bed”
Act closes (Scene 3, Desdemona): “Not to pick bad from bad, but by bad mend!”
The 3 scenes of Act 4
Who speaks in Act 4
The leading voice is Iago with 28% of Act 4’s dialogue (192 lines).
| Character | Lines in act | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Iago ♂ | 192 | 27.8% |
| Othello ♂ | 177 | 25.6% |
| Desdemona ♀ | 136 | 19.7% |
| Emilia ♀ | 91 | 13.2% |
| Roderigo ♂ | 31 | 4.5% |
| Cassio ♂ | 27 | 3.9% |
| Lodovico ♂ | 27 | 3.9% |
How Act 4 of Othello compares to other tragedys
| Play | Act 4 lines | Scenes |
|---|---|---|
| King Lear | 763 | 7 |
| Coriolanus | 707 | 7 |
| Antony and Cleopatra | 695 | 15 |
| Hamlet | 693 | 7 |
| Othello (this act) | 691 | 3 |
| Timon of Athens | 626 | 3 |
| Macbeth | 548 | 3 |
| Titus Andronicus | 547 | 4 |
| Julius Caesar | 461 | 3 |
| Romeo and Juliet | 407 | 5 |
About Act 4 of Othello
How many lines are in Act 4 of Othello?
691 lines spread across 3 scenes.
Who dominates Act 4?
Iago delivers 28% of the act’s dialogue (192 lines).