Act 3, Scene 1
- Who brings in the musicians? Why?
- Why do you think Shakespeare included this ‘comic relief’ of the musicians and the clown?
- What does Cassio ask the clown to do?
- What information does Emilia provide regarding Desdemona and Othello?
- What part is Emilia going to play in Iago’s plan?
Act 3, Scene 2
- What is the purpose of this scene? Consider what Othello plans to be busy doing.
Act 3, Scene 3
- How will Desdemona influence Othello to restore Cassio’s place to him? Provide specific quotations.
- Why does Cassio quickly leave Desdemona when Iago and Othello arrive? How does Iago turn Cassio’s actions to his own advantage?
- Why is Desdemona successful in her pleadings for Cassio? What tactics does she use on Othello?
- What does Othello realize about his feelings for Desdemona as she leaves the stage?
- When Desdemona leaves (line 89) Othello’s love is as solid as it can be. Yet by line 169 he is in ‘misery’.
a) What has Iago done and said to move Othello to this point? Include minimum of three chronological examples.
b) What choice does Othello think he must make? What does he say he wants before he makes that choice? Look in his next speech (lines 175-190).
- What are Iago’s next steps in his plan to deceive and tempt Othello into jealousy? (lines 191-218) Consider his view of Venetian women (and therefore Desdemona) and his references to the events of Act 1.
- Why does Othello fall for this kind of reasoning? What proves he trusts Iago implicitly?
- Notice how Iago alternately backs off (by complimenting Desdemona and temporarily leaving) and then pushes ahead. What does Iago suggest Desdemona will do next and how will Othello now interpret her action due to Iago’s seed of suspicion?
- Read Othello’s soliloquy (lines 255-274) carefully. How likely is it that Othello will keep an open mind until he has seen real proof? Provide a specific quotation that reveals what Othello thinks about Desdemona’s “nature”.
- Do you think he changes his mind when he sees her? Give proof for your opinion.
- How does Iago end up with Desdemona’s handkerchief? Outline the steps.
- What will Iago do with the handkerchief?
- When Othello returns to speak to Iago, upon what issue is he dwelling?
- a) What is Iago’s first suggestion for “ocular proof”?
b) What ‘proof’ does he reluctantly give instead? How much value does it have as proof of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness? Yet, how much value does Othello give it?
- What new ‘proof’ does Iago add? What “other proofs” does Iago mean in line 438)? How many of these ‘proofs’ are real?
- What is ironic about Othello kneeling and Iago’s response?
- What does Iago promise to do in three days and what is his reward from Othello?
- What is Othello ready to do by the end of this scene? Quote the specific line.
Act 3, Scene 4
- What is the subject matter of the witty and punning discussion between Desdemona and the clown (comic relief?)?
- How could the tragedy be averted right here? Why doesn’t Emilia say what she knows?
- Given our knowledge, what is ominous about Desdemona’s conversation with Emilia and her opening conversation with Othello? Provide one or two specific examples.
- Why do you think Othello tells such a detailed story of the history and importance of the handkerchief?
- What does the argument show about both Othello and Desdemona’s characters?
- When and how does Desdemona realize that Othello is angry with her?
- How willing is Desdemona to judge Othello? (Contrasted with Othello’s judgment of her)
- What is Emilia’s view of “jealous souls” (line 151)?
- Who is Bianca? How does she end up with Desdemona’s handkerchief?
- What does Bianca agree to do for Cassio?
