ACT 3 Questions
Scene 1
1. Summarize the scene.
 a clown interrupts the musicians because Othello does not like their music
 Cassio pays the clown to get Emilia
2. What are the respective purposes of the clown and musicians in this scene? What is the
main dramatic purpose of this part of the scene?
 Musicians – brought in by Cassio to play for Othello; the Clown enters and asks the
musicians to stop because Othello doesn’t like it (they suck)
 Clown – sent in to dismiss the musicians; provides comic relief (after the previous scene
wherein Cassio has been demoted, Iago is plotting against other characters, Montano
was stabbed, Othello was greatly angered)
3. How does the theme of Reason versus Passion present itself?
 Emilia’s message  Upon further reflection, Othello feels poorly about dismissing
Cassio, however, it was necessary since Cassio wounded such an important person in
Cyprus (Montano). When he has the opportunity to do so, Othello will give Cassio is
position back. Therefore, once Othello was able to clearly think everything over, he
realized that he loves Cassio dearly and wants Cassio as his lieutenant. Othello still
loves him. Reason eventually prevailing
 Cassio’s response  ignores Emilia’s message because he still wants to speak with
Desdemona (he doesn’t trust that Othello will keep his word? Maybe Cassio just wants
further reassurance). However, IF Cassio does not speak with Desdemona, it will
frustrate Iago’s plans (because it was Iago’s idea to talk to Desdemona). Emotions
governing over reason
Scene 2
1. Summarize the scene.
 Othello checks on the fortifications (walls) to see that they are secure
2. Explain the possible significance of Othello's checking “the fortifications” in this scene?
 To protect against pending attack
 Also provides an opportunity for Othello to leave Desdemona alone
Scene 3
1. Summarize the scene.
 Desdemona promises to help Cassio regain his position (private discussion);
demonstrates her loyalty
 Iago and Othello witness Cassio talking to Desdemona; he says “Ha! I like not that”
(3.3.35); this plants the idea that Othello should be concerned about the relationship

between Cassio and Desdemona
Desdemona asks Othello to arrange a meeting with Cassio in order to give him the
position back
2. What is the setting of this scene? Why is this significant?
 Garden in the castle
3. Describe the ways that Iago works on Othello's suspicions during this scene. Explain
why his techniques are (or will be) successful.
 “Ha! I like not that” (3.3.35)
 Reverse psychology or planted an idea in Othello’s mind that Cassio is untrustworthy
“Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it / That he would sneak away so guilty-like, /
Seeing you coming” (3.3.38-40)
 Iago shows that he is doubtful about Cassio’s character/virtue  “I think that he is
honest” (3.3.127); Othello senses that Iago is keeping something from him (not voicing
his true feelings)
 Iago makes a reference to “the green-eyed monster”; mentions men who have been
cheated on by their wives, but then he refuses to share with Othello what he is thinking
(he makes Othello question what secrets Iago is holding onto)
 Othello is not jealous by nature; if he was doubtful, he would get to the bottom of his
suspicions immediately (Othello wants the ocular proof  needs to see in order to
believe); this may pose a challenge to Iago because he needs to set up further
conversations to convince Othello that Desdemona is dishonest
 Iago advises Othello to observe Desdemona with Cassio (3.3.199-200)
 Iago says that Desdemona is deceptive (fooled her father, pretended to fear Othello) 
OTHELLO IS CONVINCED
 Iago reminds Othello that Desdemona did not choose a countryman as her husband
(she chose Othello, a man from North Africa); Iago “fears” that Desdemona may be
interested in finding a “natural” (match (a countryman)
 Iago advises Othello to beware if Desdemona really pushes for Cassio because this
could mean that something is going on between the two (dramatic irony because we
know that Cassio asked for Desdemona’s help only because Iago encouraged him to)
 Iago tells Othello that Cassio was talking in his sleep, wherein he revealed his love for
Desdemona and “kissed” Iago (dreaming that it was Desdemona)
4. What was Cassio's relationship with Othello before the beginning of the play?
 Cassio was the middle-man between Othello and Desdemona; he would deliver
messages from Othello to Desdemona (and vice versa). Therefore, Othello clearly
trusted Cassio very much, especially since he gave Cassio such responsibility in
Othello’s personal life but also Venice’s public life
5.
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
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How does the handkerchief serve to advance the plot?
Desdemona’s handkerchief; Othello gave it to her (his first token to her)
Emilia has found it; Desdemona dropped it while trying to comfort Othello
Iago has asked Emilia to steal the handkerchief countless times but it’s always on
Desdemona’s person/means a lot to Desdemona (not that Desdemona has dropped it, it
gives Emilia an opportunity to “please [Iago’s] fancy”; she does not know why he wants


this but we know that it must be a part of his plan
Iago plans to plant the evidence (handkerchief) in Cassio’s home (to make it seem as if
Desdemona went there OR she gave the handkerchief to Cassio)
Iago tells Othello that he saw Cassio with Desdemona’s handkerchief (used it to wipe his
beard); 3.3.435-40  Iago uses the handkerchief as the ocular proof
6. What important decision does Othello make as this scene ends?
 He plans to work with Iago to kill Cassio and Desdemona
 He promotes Iago to Lieutenant
7. In what ways is the theme of jealousy developed in this scene?
 Iago admits to being suspicious of people or situations that make him jealous  “As I
confess it is my nature’s plague / To spy into abuses, and oft my jealous” (3.2.147-48);
this reveals Iago’s true nature; he is a man inspired to act against others due to jealousy
 Iago: “O beward, my lord, of jealousy! / It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock /
The meat it feeds on” (3.3.167-69)
 Othello’s first soliloquy  considers whether Desdemona has been unfaithful (if he
finds out that she has cheated on him he will leave, to survive her own)
8. How has Othello changed since the beginning of the play at around lines 330 and onward?
 Othello has become increasingly more insecure about the quality of his relationship with
his wife  “Ha, ha, false to me!” (3.3.334) and “What sense had I of her stolen hours of
lust? / I saw’t not, thought it not, it harmed not me. / I slept next night well, was free and
merry;” (3.3.339-41)
 Othello is angered by his own suspicions of his wife; increased tension because his wife
and his best friend are potentially in a secret lustful relationship
 Othello is experiencing a conflict of conscience  “I think my wife be honest, and think
she is not; / I think that thou art just, and think thou are not” (3.3.385-86); he is conflicted
about two people who are closest to him. He needs reassurance and proof that these
people can be trusted
 Othello has abandoned reason; he is driven by his emotions/passions; he trusts Iago
and thinks that Desdemona has betrayed him  “I’ll tear her all to pieces!” (3.3.432)
 Othello makes a vow for revenge; like a marriage vow, he promises to get his revenge;
he wants Iago’s help to kill Cassio and (Othello will handle Desdemona’s death)
 Othello decides to promote Iago to Lieutenant (yay for Iago – mission accomplished)
Scene 4
1. Summarize the scene.
2. What is the role of this clown?
3. How is Emilia characterized? Record her statement about jealousy and explain how it
relates to the theme(s) of the play.
4. Explain Cassio's relationship with Bianca. How does she end up with Desdemona's
handkerchief?
5. To what hope does Desdemona cling in this scene?
6. Explain the dramatic irony in this scene. What effect does this use of irony create for the
audience?