Act 3 Summary
 Skipped in the film.
 Scene 1 – Cassio shows up at O’s home to ask Emilia to
talk to Desi about talking to O. Emilia says Desi is
already trying to help. Emilia tells Cassio that O.
needs to get over it on his own – he likes Cassio but
Cassio hurt a big wig in Cyprus.
 Scene 2 – O. sends off letters to the Venetian senate
confirming the war is over.
 Iago
 Othello
 Desdemona
 Emilia
 Cassio
 O. and Iago arrive as Cassio leaves. Desi pleads his
case to O.
 Iago questions O. about Cassio’s intentions and states
his own loyalty to O.
 Iago admits he’s cynical of others and asks for O’s
opinion of Cassio, warning O. against jealousy.
 Iago plants the seeds of jealousy in O’s mind; O’s
resolve and trust of Desi begins to waver.
 O. says he trusts until proven wrong, thinks Desi
is honest.
 O. tells Iago to tell him more if he learns more.
 Iago stresses Desi’s innocence while pushing his
doubts.
 O. is visibly shaken by Iago’s manipulation.
 Desi enters after Iago leaves, sees O. feeling
unwell, dabs his head with her handkerchief, a
gift from O. As they leave, she forgets it.
 Emilia finds Desi’s handkerchief and gives it to Iago
who has been asking for it.
 Iago plans to leave it at Cassio’s home to frame C. and
Desi.
 O. has a dream of Cassio and Desi having sex, wakes in
a cold sweat, and goes for a walk, disturbed by his
vision.
 Cassio gives the handkerchief to Bianca as a gift.
 O. begins to believe Iago’s claims and is infuriated with
Iago for planting the seed.
 O. tells Iago he had better be able to prove his
accusation or he will be killed.
 Iago feigns offense and says he is honest, says he has
proof and lies about Cassio talking in his sleep about
Desi and seeing the handkerchief at Cassio’s.
 Emilia
 Desdemona
 Othello
 Desi cannot find her handkerchief.
 Emilia doesn’t tell her she gave it to Iago.
 Othello enters asking for the handkerchief and sharing the
story behind it.
 Desi doesn’t tell him she can’t find it, tries to change the
subject to Cassio, and doesn’t get why he’s behaving so
irrationally.
 Desi thinks O. is worried about work, has no idea he’s
jealous as she hasn’t done anything wrong.