Othello Acting Company Assignments for 3.3
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Acting Company 1
“Excellent wretch!” to “Show me thy thought.” (pp. 43-44)
Othello and Iago
The two discuss Desdemona’s alleged affair with Michael Cassio. Iago uses some
reverse psychology and doesn’t say too much: he allows Othello to come to his own
(false) conclusions.
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Acting Company 2
“My lord, you know I love you” to “A stranger to they thoughts” (pp. 44-45)
Othello and Iago
The two discuss love and honesty. Othello totally trusts Iago. Iago ironically states
“Men should be what they seem.”
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Acting Company 3
“I do beseech you” to “Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects…” (pp. 45-46)
Othello and Iago
The two discuss reputation and jealousy. Iago tells Othello that reputation is the most
important thing in the world. He also tells him to beware of jealousy.
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Acting Company 4
“O misery!” to “Is not to leave ’t undone, but keep ’t unknown.” (pp. 46-47)
Othello and Iago
Othello tells Iago that he requires “proof” of the alleged affair between Desdemona
and Cassio.
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Acting Company 5
“Dost thou say so?” to “And happily repent” (pp. 47-48)
Othello and Iago
Othello is totally manipulated by Iago: he pledges his loyalty to him, but is still
unsure how he feels about Desdemona’s infidelity.
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Acting Company 6
“Farewell, farewell” to “When we do quicken. Desdemona comes.” (pp. 48-49)
Othello and Iago
Othello regrets marrying Desdemona in the first place. Othello acknowledges in his
soliloquy that he trusts Iago and continues to proclaim his regret to marrying.
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Othello Acting Company Assignments for 3.3
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Acting Company 7
“If she be false” to “I nothing but to please his fantasy.”
Othello, Desdemona, and Emilia
Desdemona tries to wipe Othello’s forehead with her handkerchief. He rejects it, and
the handkerchief falls on the ground. Emilia picks up the handkerchief, and reveals
that Iago has begged her to steal it “a hundred times.”
Acting Company 8
“How now! What do you here alone?” to “Which thou owest yesterday.” (pp. 49-50)
Iago and Emilia
Emilia gives the handkerchief to Iago. Emilia says that Desdemona will be
devastated to find out she lost it. Iago reveals in soliloquy that he will plant the
handkerchief in Cassio’s bedroom.
Acting Company 9
“Ha! Ha! False to me?” to “Farewell! Othello’s occupation gone!” (pp. 50-51)
Othello and Iago
Othello begins to descend into madness over the thought of Desdemona’s cheating.
He says that he would have been happier if she had cheated on him with ALL his
soldiers, so long as he didn’t know about it (i.e. “Ignorance is bliss”).
Acting Company 10
“Is’t possible my lord?” to “Death and damnation!” (pp. 51-52)
Othello and Iago
Othello charges Iago with proving Desdemona’s infidelity. (“Villain, be sure thou
prove my love a whore.”)
Acting Company 11
“It were tedious difficulty, I think” to “I’ll tear her all to pieces.” (pp. 52-53)
Othello and Iago
Iago tells Othello that when he and Cassio were sleeping the other night, Cassio
reached over into his bed, kissing him and calling him Desdemona. The story of
Cassio’s talking in his sleep causes Othello to threaten Desdemona.
Acting Company 12
“Nay, but be wise: yet we see nothing done” to “I am your own forever.” (pp. 53-54)
Othello and Iago
Iago tells Othello that he recently saw Cassio wiping his beard with the handkerchief
that Othello had given to Desdemona. Iago and Othello kneel down to make a vow
that they will kill Cassio and Desdemona. Othello promotes Iago to the rank of
lieutenant.
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