Critical Reading Questions (Act III)
OTHELLO
This fellow's of exceeding honesty,
And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit,
Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,
Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings,
I'd whistle her off and let her down the wind,
To pray at fortune. Haply, for I am black
And have not those soft parts of conversation
That chamberers have, or for I am declined
Into the vale of years,--yet that's not much-She's gone. I am abused; and my relief
Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage,
That we can call these delicate creatures ours,
And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad,
And live upon the vapour of a dungeon,
Than keep a corner in the thing I love
For others' uses. Yet, 'tis the plague of great ones;
Prerogatived are they less than the base;
'Tis destiny unshunnable, like death:
Even then this forked plague is fated to us
When we do quicken. (Othello III.iii.257-276, pg. 1056)
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1. In the context of the passage, what does the word “haggard” (Line 3) most likely
mean?
2. In the context of the passage, what does the word “Haply” (Line 6) most likely
mean?
3. Where in the speech is there a moment of dramatic irony? Explain your response.
4. Explain the meaning of the following passage: “If I do prove her haggard,/
Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings,/ I'd whistle her off and let her
down the wind,/ To pray at fortune.”
5. Explain the purpose for Othello’s soliloquy. What is he attempting to rationalize
in lines 6-11?
IAGO
Be not acknown on 't; I have use for it.
Go, leave me.
Exit EMILIA
I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin,
And let him find it. Trifles light as air
Are to the jealous confirmations strong
As proofs of holy writ: this may do something.
The Moor already changes with my poison:
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Dangerous conceits are, in their natures, poisons.
Which at the first are scarce found to distaste,
But with a little act upon the blood.
Burn like the mines of Sulphur. I did say so:
Look, where he comes!
10
Re-enter OTHELLO
Not poppy, nor mandragora,
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
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Which thou owedst yesterday. (Othello III.iii.317-331, pg.1057-8)
6. In the context of the passage, what does the word “poisons” (Line 7) most likely
mean, given Iago’s usage?
7. To whom is Iago referring when he uses the pronoun “him” when he states: “I
will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin,/ And let him find it.”?
8. Of what “napkin” is Iago speaking in line 3? How does this aid his plan?
9. Explain the meaning of the following passage: “Trifles light as air/ Are to the
jealous confirmations strong/ As proofs of holy writ: this may do something.”
10. What is the purpose of Iago’s statement once Othello re-enters the stage? Explain
your reasoning.