Othello
Act III, Scene III
By: Bryson G., Kevin J., Edward M., Ashley Y.
Plot
Cassio seeks help from Desdemona ⇒ First step to Iago’s plan
Cassio leaves in a hurry, allowing Iago to initiate his plan
Iago leads Othello into thinking Desdemona is cheating with Cassio
Desdemona drops the handkerchief ⇒ Emilia gives it to Iago
Othello decides to kill both Cassio and Desdemona after Iago tries to convince
him to only kill Cassio.
Theme
Deception by the ones closest to you
Iago tricks Othello into believing that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio
Uses trust in military setting to his advantages
There is a need for balance
“But I do love thee; and when I love thee not, Chaos is come again.” (3.3.91-92)
Jealousy
Characters
Othello
Deeply in love with Desdemona but does not know her well enough
Blindly believes Iago’s words without confirmation ⇒ Acts upon emotions
Suspicious of Desdemona
Jealous and paranoid (3.3.242)
Desdemona
Not getting the hint ⇒ stubborn and no “people smart”
Characters (Cont.)
Iago
Hypocritical ⇒ Men are supposed to be honest and not two faced (3.3.127)
Manipulative ⇒ Use rhetorical appeals, i.e. pathos and intimation
Uses situations to his advantage (e.g. Emilia stealing the handkerchief)
Deceiving ⇒ Presents himself as a man whom he is not
Emilia
Betrays Desdemona ⇒ Desperate for Iago’s love
Loyal ⇒ Does not know why her husband wants the handkerchief, yet she still steals it for him
Setting
Allusion with Greek mythology
“Chaos is come again” (3.3.92)
Women are believed to be deceiving and untrustworthy
“She did deceive her father, marrying you” (3.3.208)
Men ought to be honest, like an open book
“Men should be what they seem; Or those that be not, would they might seem none” (3.3.128)
Mood
Bitter
Othello begins to have mixed emotions with Desdemona (3.3.55)
Doubts her
Uncertain of what she does when he is not around
Dark/Morbid
Iago's use of manipulation foreshadows what is yet to come upon Desdemona (3.3.360)
Timeline
Turning point in the play as Iago has the upper hand
Iago plants seeds of doubt into Othello’s head
Othello’s superiority transforms into inferiority
Build up to the final scene
Dramatic Technique: Dramatic Irony
Audiences are well aware of...
Cassio meeting up with Desdemona in attempt to regain his position
Desdemona is not having an affair with Cassio
Iago is manipulating Othello’s mind to get rid of Othello
Emilia steals the handkerchief for Iago
Othello is going to kill both Cassio and Desdemona
Symbolism
Handkerchief (Love)
The object that Othello had given to Desdemona as a gift
Handkerchief lost = love and trust lost
Handkerchief in Iago’s possession = love is corrupted
Green eyed monster (Jealousy)
Warning from Iago to Othello
Applies to Iago himself as he is the villain motivated by jealousy
Rhetorical Devices
Allusion: “But I do love thee; and when I love thee not, Chaos is come again.”
(3.3.91-92)
Foreshadowing
Setting
Othello’s blindness in love
Shows dramatic change from one extreme of love to the other extreme of hatred
Rhetorical Devices (Cont.)
Metaphor: “It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.”
(3.3.168-169)
intimation
Iago is the one who Othello needs to be careful of
Repetition: “Honest, my lord? [...] Think, my lord?” (3.3.103-107)
One of Iago’s technique to frustrate Othello
the unknown or glimpse of unknown causes imagination and curiosity in Othello
Discussion
Do you think Othello cares more about his relationship with Desdemona or his
reputation? (Refer to 3.3.339-344)
Does Othello’s reaction to the situation reflect how he deeply believes in Iago’s
loyalty or his lack of trust and knowledge on Desdemona?
Emilia steals Desdemona’s handkerchief for Iago. Is her action forgivable? How
would the play progress if she hadn’t given Iago the handkerchief?