Othello's anxiety, though unfair, is understandable. Act 3, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's OTHELLO, with notes, line numbers and search function. Now that Othello knows of the fictional adultery, the rest of the play is devoted to the unfolding consequences. When Iago beseeches Othello to let Desdemona live, he may be employing his often-used tactic of reverse psychology. In an intriguing double metaphor, Othello characterizes Desdemona’s shift in reputation as a change in her face’s complexion. Teachers and parents! Cassio leaves when he sees Othello and Iago approach, as he is too embarrassed to stay and hear Desdemona argue for him. Othello expresses his internal shift from love to hate. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!”, “This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Rather, it is in Othello’s best interests. DESDEMONA. Othello makes reference to “the rack,” an infamous medieval torture device which stretches the prisoner’s limbs in opposite directions. She tells Emilia so, and that sh… It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on; (3.3.195-197) Iago’s pretty good at manipulating Othello, don’t you think? Using his brilliant rhetoric, Iago plants solid suspicion in Othello’s mind regarding the character of Desdemon… Iago acts as if he was sorry that he ever told Othello about it. As Othello arrives, Cassio leaves because he is too ashamed to face him. Emilia's making a copy of the handkerchief echoes her husband's diligently producing illusions. As the scene draws to a close, Othello agrees to the plot Iago has devised. True to his character, Othello does not believe in Iago’s stance of jealousy. This small moment foreshadows the breaking down of their relationship. Iago cleverly employs personification here, identifying not Cassio as the foe but rather jealousy itself. Othello uses a falconry metaphor to explain his torn feelings for Desdemona. Othello finds this insecurity resurfacing in the context of Desdemona’s possible adultery. Struggling with distance learning? "Men should be what they seem, or those that be not, would they might seem not" (III.iii.126-127) "My lord, you know I love you" (III.iii.117) View This Storyboard as a Slide Show! He believes that she has robbed him of his manhood, so he feels he must destroy her. Othello can no longer enjoy the "pomp, and circumstance" of his occupation because he believes he has been cuckolded (betrayed by his adulterous wife). Snatching the handkerchief, Iago retains exclusive control over "directing" the unfolding jealousy of Othello. Publish Synopsis of Act 3 Scene 3. Othello quotes act 3. In other words, he loves her too deeply to let her go. Thou told'st me thou didst hold him in thy hate. Desdemona is essentially tasked with maintaining the sanity of her husband. This highly theatrical moment of vow-taking reflects the climax of Iago's plan. Iago’s tactic in this exchange with Othello is to give away slight inclinations of distrust in Cassio. In Shakespeare's time, a vale (which is a broad, flat valley) was often used as a metaphor for the span of life between the peaks of life and death. Act 3 Scene 3 . Cyprus. This exchange between Cassio and Desdemona places Desdemona in a higher tier of importance than Othello. And Othello, overcome by jealousy, accepts it. Othello Act 3 Scene 3 Lyrics. Updated: 12/22/2020. Iago has convinced Othello that Desdemona had an affair with Lieutenant Cassio; however, Iago is pretending to downplay it by insisting that he only heard Lieutenant Cassio dreaming (audibly) about Desdemona. On one level, Iago speaks of himself hypothetically. Othello describes his anger as similarly ceaseless, without ebb. Othello offers a dense metaphor for his rage. Not only does she claim to have the power to reinstate Cassio, Cassio himself pledges to be her servant, not Othello’s. Scene 3. Desdemona is with Cassio and Emilia. Like What You See? Synopsis: Desdemona’s interview with Cassio is cut short by the arrival of Othello. Notify me of new comments via email. This passage alludes to the Pontic Sea, today known as the Black Sea, a body of water without a balanced tide which flows in and out. As Othello says, “[T]o be once in doubt / Is once to be resolved” (III.iii. Iago cleverly frames his thoughts as untrustworthy and beyond his own control. All the while, Iago builds Othello’s anticipation. This page contains the original text of Othello Act 3, Scene 3.Shakespeare’s original Othello text is extremely long, so we’ve split the text into one Scene per page. Notice, also, that until this moment, Othello has always been honest. This contradiction indicates the lack of clarity in his thinking. Desdemona pleads to Othello on Cassio’s behalf. The garden of the castle. Explanatory Notes for Act 3, Scene 3. Now, to protect his own honor, he lies and says that he is not jealous. The garden of the castle. Rather, he projects his confusion and rage about the possibility of Desdemona’s faithlessness onto Iago, demanding “the ocular proof.”. Iago tells him that he has seen Cassio with Desdemona's handkerchief. Desdemona believing in her husband’s goodness assures Cassio regarding his problem. Othello refers to himself as an “excellent wretch,” an oxymoron that characterizes his status as a foolish, out-of-control lover. Othello Act 3 Quotes -Iago-CassioExplication: He will send Desdemona to Cassio and will find Othello and figure out a way for Desdemona and Othello to talk so he can promote Cassio “I’ll send her to you presently,And I’ll devise a mean to draw the MoorOut of the way, that your converse and businessMay be … -Graham S. 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