Act III

Question 1

1.”Men should be what they seem; Or those that be not, would they might seem none!” – Iago (Act 3, Scene 3)

Answer 1

Device: Irony; Aphorism

Annotation: Iago pretends to value honesty while embodying hypocrisy.

Question 2

2.”O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” – Iago (Act 3, Scene 3)

Answer 2

Device: Metaphor; Personification

Annotation: Iago warns of jealousy while inciting it in Othello, using vivid imagery.

Question 3

3.”This honest creature doubtless sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.” – Othello (Act 3, Scene 3)

Answer 3

Device: Dramatic irony

Annotation: Othello trusts Iago’s honesty, tragically misjudging his true nature.

Question 4

4.”I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; and on the proof, there is no more but this: away at once with love or jealousy!” – Othello (Act 3, Scene 3)

Answer 4

Device: Tricolon; Irony

Annotation: Othello vows rationality but soon abandons reason under Iago’s influence.

Question 5

5.”I know not that; but such a handkerchief – I am sure it was your wife’s – did I today see Cassio wipe his beard with.” – Iago (Act 3, Scene 3)

Answer 5

Device: Symbolism; Manipulation

Annotation: Iago uses the handkerchief as false proof, weaponizing symbolism to deceive.

Question 6

6.”Give me the ocular proof.” – Othello (Act 3, Scene 3)

Answer 6

Device: Demand for evidence

Annotation: Othello asks for visual confirmation, but accepts hearsay instead

Question 7

7.”Trifles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ.” – Iago (Act 3, Scene 3)

Answer 7

Device: Simile; Irony

Annotation: Iago reveals how easily jealous minds accept weak evidence as fact.

Question 8

8.”Her name, that was as fresh as Dian’s visage, is now begrimed and black as mine own face.” – Othello (Act 3, Scene 3)

Answer 8

Device: Simile; Imagery; Internalized racism

Annotation: Othello uses racial imagery to reflect his distorted view of Desdemona’s purity.

Question 8

9.”Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell!” – Othello (Act 3, Scene 3)

Answer 8

Device: Personification; Alliteration

Annotation: Othello invokes vengeance, showing how jealousy has transformed him.

Question 9

10. “Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore.” – Othello (Act 3, Scene 3)

Answer 9

Device: Imperative; Vulgarity

Annotation: Othello’s demand for proof shows how Iago’s manipulation has already tainted his perception of Desdemona.