Scene 3:
For what two reasons does Desdemona agree to plead Cassio's
case?
Cassio has explained the whole situation to Desdemona, and
she promises to not rest until she's convinced Othello to grant Cassio's
acceptance back into the military as well as Othello's personal friendship.
Cassio declares he's forever indebted to her, and Desdemona again emphasizes
that she'll do everything she can. This is because she likes Cassio and
believes him to be a man of honour, she thinks that she has the compassionate
ear of Othello and is oblivious to Iago’s evil intention.
What is Iago referring to when he says, "Ha! I like not
that."
Iago is attempting to peak Othello’s curiosity in relation
to what Desdemona and Cassio have been having such an intimate conversation about.
By making it a negative act with Iago’s apparent dislike towards witnessing it worries
Othello.
After Othello repeatedly urges Iago to tell him what's on
his mind, Iago says "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;/It is the green eyed
monster, which doth mock / The meat it feeds on." What is Othello's
response? What does he want from Iago?
Othello responds with ‘O misery!’ as he gradually loses his
potential to converse. He wants Iago to reveal what he knows/what evidence he
has of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness – he has fallen out of certainty in relation
to his wife’s loyalty in 80 lines.
What does Iago say about the women of Venice?
Iago implies women are secretive and want to have sex with a
myriad of different men. He claims only God truly knows what every woman gets
up to through ‘in Venice they do let God see the pranks’. He also states it’s
better to keep the truth unknown as women will just break your heart and cheat
on you.
What contextual evidence do we have to support Iago's views
of Venetian women?
Contextually the women of Venice are supposed to have been
locked in their houses by their husbands as if they were able to roam the
streets it would be inevitable that another man would have sex with your wife.
Why might this cause Othello to believe this or, at least,
not dismiss it immediately?
This contextual evidence causes Othello’s suspicions to be
increased as he is aware of the stereotype of Venetian women. He fears this
stereotype may be true as he has heard of the ideology previously.
Who echoes Brabantio's earlier warning to Othello?
Iago by saying ‘she did deceive her father, marrying you’ and
‘to seel her father’s eyes up close as oak’ he refers to how Desdemona lied to
her father and so would be quite capable of lying to Othello.
In his duplicitous fashion, what bold statement does Iago
make about Desdemona and Othello?
Iago claims their relationship is unnatural and Desdemona
was always destined to find a spouse ‘of her own clime, complexion and degree’.
This shows duplicity as he doesn’t really believe this, it is him that has
enforced the turmoil of their relationship to occur, not because the match of
the couple is unnatural due to race.
Desdemona's handkerchief becomes an important piece of stage
business. Why did Desdemona produce it? What happens to it? What might this
symbolise? What happens to it? What does Emilia plan to do with it?
Since the handkerchief was the first gift Desdemona received
from Othello, she keeps it about her constantly as a symbol of Othello's love.
Iago manipulates the handkerchief so that Othello comes to see it as a symbol
of Desdemona herself—her faith and chastity.
What do you think motivates Emilia to take the handkerchief
to Iago?
Emilia believes her husband may want to get her a similar
handkerchief made to show his love and devotion – she desires this so she gives
it to him.
What does Iago plan to do with the handkerchief?
Iago plans to use the handkerchief as evidence of Cassio and
Desdemona’s apparent love as Othello’s first gift to her is now being wiped on
Cassio’s beard = disrespect.
When Othello returns to the scene upset, what warning does
he give Iago?
Warns him his death will follow shortly.
What 'proof' of Desdemona's disloyalty does Iago give
Othello?
Claims he was awake with toothache and Cassio began sleep
talking about Desdemona and the love they share, then he begun humping his leg
implying he had done the same to Othello’s spouse as a result.
What is Iago's final 'proof'?
His final proof is that Cassio now has Othello’s first gift
to Desdemona which shows her betrayal of giving away an item of such great
importance.
What is noticeable about Othello's language in this
scene?
Othello loses his ability to speak within the scene and
begins to respond monosyllabically and often with grunts and not even words,
for example ‘O, blood, blood, blood!’
