This comes in Act IV, scene i, when Lodovico comes from
Venice. Desdemona is saying that she would like to see the "division" between Othello
and Cassio mended. The exact line you are referring to, in context,
is:
Lodovico
Is
there division between thy lord and
Cassio?
Desdemona
A
most unhappy one; I would do much
To atone them,
for the love I bear to
Cassio.
Othello
Fire
and brimstone!
What he does
here would have to be decided by the actor portraying Othello, since Shakespeare doesn't
exactly give us his action. But Desdemona does hint at his state of mind (and at how
innocently she meant her statement about "loving" Cassio) with the question, "What, is
he angry?"
There is, however, a very significant action a
few lines later. Desdemona again speaks favorably of Cassio, which incites this
exchange:
Othello
Indeed!
Desdemona
My
lord?
Othello
I
am glad to see you
mad.
Desdemona
How,
sweet Othello?
Othello
(striking
her)
Devil!
So,
though it does not come immediately after Desdemona's comment about "loving" Cassio,
Othello doesn't take more than a few more lines to work himself up to hitting her. And
in front of Lodovico. So, the rift between Othello and Desdemona is growing larger and
larger, thanks to Iago's poisoning of Othello's jealous mind.
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