Act 3 Extra Points Flashcards
Give an example of how Iago addresses Othello in respectful terms in scene 2
“my good lord”
What does Cassio say about Iago in scene 1 which is ominous irony?
that he is “kind and honest”
How does it expose Iago’s malign (evil) nature that in scene 2 he plays the role of a faithful and helpful student?
as it is in scene 3 which is the most important part of the play where Iago’s assault on Othello’s mind begins.
How was Iago able to conceal his villainy through appearance at this time?
as during the Renaissance, people believed that you could tell whether smoke was good or evil by observing their outward appearance through scars and physical defects; Iago looked honest and was therefore perceived as honest
What is a clear tactic that Iago uses heavily in scene 3 to manipulate Othello’s thinking?
he looks at physical evidence and interprets events for Othello; such as observing Cassio exiting and suggesting that “he would steal away so guilty-like”
What is ironic of the fact that Iago states that his thoughts are “vile and false”
as through opening stating this, he is perceived as modest and reluctant to tell the truth father than manipulative and duplicitous. It is ironic also as the way in which he denigrates Desdemona, making her voice unreliable is a “vile and false” thought which he manipulates Othello into begging him to do.
explore
“If more thou dost perceive, let me know more”-Othello to Iago
Othello has now become reliant upon Iago’s perception of events, from this it is clear that Iago has infected Othello’s thoughts, only wanting Iago’s truth and what he “perceives” rather than his own judgement. From this it is clear Othello is no longer “well tuned” with his wife, but with Iago who exploits his trust to increase his own power over him. The once confident husband who defended his wife’s honour that “she had eyes and chose me” soon depreciates into a convinced cuckold, deceived by a “fair devil”
Earlier in scene 3, how did Othello defend Desdemona’s innocence?
“she had eyes and chose me”, Caryl Philips has remarked that this reveals Othello’s gross insecurity
What happens before the play begins which allows Iago to set plausible doubts into Othello’s mind about Desdemona and Cassio?
Cassio was a go between during their courtship, allowing him time to seduce Desdemona himself
How does Iago use his connections as a Venice man to subtly lower Othello’s self worth in scene 3?
as takes the role of an expert with a superior knowledge about the behaviour of Italian women, pitying Othello who has no understanding of the “country disposition.” He cunningly expresses a natural fact that Desdemona must be “recoiling to her better judgement” in her affair with Cassio; suggesting that she cannot be blamed for her actions due to the ethnic differences of Othello’s character.
What does the handkerchief act as in scene 3? quote
“ocular proof”
How does Desdemona blur the boundaries between domestic and public life?
when she intercedes for Cassio, making Othello uncomfortable with his wife’s interference in his work. Ironically, Othello does not want to hear his wife’s words, paralleling the denouément whereby his smothers her and physically takes away her voice. The fact that in scene 3 he no longer wishes to hear her words reflects his shifting perception to her as the enemy rather than an ally.
Even before Iago’s poison, Othello describes his love as a as a “perdition” and states that “chaos is come again.” explore?
as a “perdition” and states that “chaos is come again.” Othello is in the group of emotions that he cannot manage; the two negative abstract nouns foreshadow tragedy through his evident loss of control. It is ironic that Othello uses these words at the beginning of the scene as by the end, he has been consumed by dark an chaotic thoughts which has resulted in his planned murder of Desdemona. It is clear that Othello cannot master his powerful romantic and erotic feelings and so the successful solider becomes the blind lover.
what is significant about the fact that Iago raises the topic of “Good name in man and woman” in scene 3 before he reveals his suspicions about Desdemona and Cassio?
as this reminds us of the importance of masculine honour in Renaissance society. A wife’s chastity was part of her husbands honour; a women’s good name was thus important in Shakespearean society. It is thereby ironic that by Act 2, his description of his wife as a “whore” and “strumpet” ironically degrades himself with Desdemona’s reputation being an integral part of his own honour; this reflects how far he has become consumed by Iago’s “pestilence”
What quote from Othello to Iago suggests that from Act 3 scene 3, Othello actions are independent of his true self as his mind is governed by Iago
“I am bound to thee for ever”
What is significant structurally about the length and pace of Act 3 scene 3?
It is a long act, and particularly long scene, mirroring the gradual effect of poison which slowly infects Othello’s mind until his whole body has succumbed to Iago and has “bound to thee forever.” There is a good deal of evidence therefore to indicates that Othello is pushed towards tragedy by a ruthless “demi-devil” who takes advantage of his noble nature.
