Name______Othello Act III Study Guide Questions
3.11. / Why do you think Cassio brings musicians?
2. / What does Emilia tell Cassio that Desdemona is already doing for him?
3.2
1. / What is the function of this scene?
3.3
1. / How will Desdemona get Othello to restore Cassio's place to him (3.3.19-28)?
2. / What does Iago say to make Othello suspect something between Cassio and Desdemona? How successfully does Desdemona plead for Cassio?
What is important about the following quote?
Othello:
“And when I love thee not/Chaos is come again.”
How do his thoughts on Desdemona here contrast with his thoughts in Act II when he said:
“If it were now to die,
'Twere now to be most happy; for I fear
My soul hath her content so absolute
That not another comfort like to this
Succeeds in unknown fate.”
3. / In 3.3.100-189, what techniques does Iago use to cast doubt on Cassio and make Othello jealous? What familiar metaphor does he use to characterize jealousy?
Translate 3.3.178-183 into modern vernacular.
What is Othello’s response to Iago’s suspicions in 3.3.190-206?
4. / Look closely at the next "movement" in Iago's temptation of Othello. What picture of Venetian women (and of Desdemona as one) does he paint (216-220)? What other evidence does he use to persuade Othello that Desdemona might deceive him?
5. / Othello has a two-line speech (3.3.258-259) when he thinks he is alone, so it's almost an aside to the audience. What does it tell us about the state of his mind?
6. / But Iago returns to make a suggestion (3.3.260-261). What suggestion does he make? How likely is it that Desdemona will do exactly what Iago tells Othello to watch for? Why?
7. / Read Othello's soliloquy (3.3.274-293) carefully. Why does he curse marriage? How well is Iago’s plan working?
8. / What "pain upon my forehead here" is Othello referring to (3.3.300)? What happens when Desdemona tries to wipe it? What is Emilia's response to finding the handkerchief (3.3.306-315)?
9. / How does Iago treat his wife? What is Emilia afraid of (3.3.332-334)? What will Iago do with the handkerchief (3.3.336-345)?
10. / What is Othello’s state of mind now? (See his speeches 3.3.354--373.) Find a quote that shows how he feels about Iago for putting this idea in his mind.
11. / Othello demands “ocular” proof. What does this mean? What 2 kinds of "proof" does Iago give instead (3.3.426-457)? How does Othello respond? Find a quote that demonstrates his reaction to each “proof.”
12. / What metaphor does Othello use to describe his vengeance in 3.3.462-476? What "bloody business" do Othello and Iago vow to complete (3.3.480-489)? How does Iago seem to "back off" (3.3.491)? What is Othello's response (3.3.491-494)? What has Iago just gained as a result of his “loyalty”?
3.4
1. / What is the subject of the witty and punning discussion between Desdemona and the Clown (3.4.1-21)? Why doesn't Emilia say what she knows? (Remember a wife's duty to obey her husband in all things.)
2. / How well does Desdemona carry out her promise to Cassio in the scene?
3. / What, according to Othello, is the history of the handkerchief (3.4.57-70)? Do you think Othello is telling the truth here? Why or why not?
4. / What is Emilia's view of men (3.4.105-108)? How justified is she?
5. / How does Desdemona explain her lack of success to Cassio (3.4.124-133)?
6. / How does Desdemona explain Othello’s anger to Emilia? What does Emilia say about jealousy that reinforces something Iago said in Act 3, scene 3?
7. Who is Bianca? What is her relationship to Cassio? What does he ask her to do? What is her emotional response? Sound familiar?