Act III scene iAct III scene i

Comic relief with the clownComic relief with the clownScarcity of comic reliefScarcity of comic relief

No subplotsNo subplotsOthello is the most focused, intense Othello is the most focused, intense

tragedytragedy

Act III scene iiiAct III scene iii

Desdemona is determined to set things rDesdemona is determined to set things right.ight.

““His bed shall seem a school, his board His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift”a shrift”

Desdemona’s sense of justiceDesdemona’s sense of justice““intermingle everything does with Cassintermingle everything does with Cass

io’s suit”io’s suit” Ironic: She is undone by her own goodneIronic: She is undone by her own goodne

ss.ss.

Iago’s machinationsIago’s machinationsHe insinuates that Cassio and DesdemoHe insinuates that Cassio and Desdemo

na are having an affair.na are having an affair.““I like not that”I like not that”He makes Othello start to think uneasy tHe makes Othello start to think uneasy t

houghts.houghts.Othello seizes the bait and becomes jealOthello seizes the bait and becomes jeal

ous.ous.

Iago’s echoing Othello’s WorIago’s echoing Othello’s Wordsds

““Thou echoest me, as if there was some Thou echoest me, as if there was some monster in thy thought, too hideous to bmonster in thy thought, too hideous to be shown”e shown”

SimileSimileOthello thinks Iago hides the truth.Othello thinks Iago hides the truth.

JealousyJealousy

““the green-eyed monster”the green-eyed monster”A symbol representing Othello’s dark A symbol representing Othello’s dark

feelings,feelings,A specter luring in his mind and A specter luring in his mind and

beginning to steer his behavior.beginning to steer his behavior.

InsecurityInsecurity

Othello is deeply insecure about his Othello is deeply insecure about his personal qualities and his marriage.personal qualities and his marriage.

Othello’s incorrect conception of Othello’s incorrect conception of himselfhimself

He is uncouth, poorly spoken, and oldHe is uncouth, poorly spoken, and oldDesdemona can not love him.Desdemona can not love him.

HandkerchiefHandkerchief

The most crucial symbol of loveThe most crucial symbol of loveLosing it the “ocular proof” of Losing it the “ocular proof” of

Desdemona’s dishonesty.Desdemona’s dishonesty.Desdemona’s alleged betrayalDesdemona’s alleged betrayal

Iago subverts Othello’s wish for “Iago subverts Othello’s wish for “ocular proof”ocular proof”

““if imputation and strong circumstanceif imputation and strong circumstances which lead directly to the door of truth s which lead directly to the door of truth will give you satisfaction, you might havwill give you satisfaction, you might have it.”e it.”

Othello falls into Iago’s rhetorical trap.Othello falls into Iago’s rhetorical trap.

languageslanguages

Othello has spoken with beautiful imagery, coOthello has spoken with beautiful imagery, convincing rhetoric .nvincing rhetoric .

Othello has expressed the eloquence and beauOthello has expressed the eloquence and beauty in his soul.ty in his soul.

Othello loses his power of language.Othello loses his power of language. He uses single lines of speech and monosyllabiHe uses single lines of speech and monosyllabi

c words.c words. This resignation marks a shift in the balance of This resignation marks a shift in the balance of

power between Othello and Iago..power between Othello and Iago..

Act III scene ivAct III scene iv

Double meaning of Othello’s words, Double meaning of Othello’s words, both normal and accusing.both normal and accusing.

He thinks Desdemona is unfaithful.He thinks Desdemona is unfaithful.““hand is moist and hot”hand is moist and hot”A sign of a lustful natureA sign of a lustful natureShe is of a “liberal heart”She is of a “liberal heart”Generous vs. licentiousGenerous vs. licentious

Importance of the Importance of the handkerchiefhandkerchief

““There’s magic in the web of it”There’s magic in the web of it”His language is mystical, full of dark His language is mystical, full of dark

imagesimagesThe handkerchief has a magic-like The handkerchief has a magic-like

hold over Othello.hold over Othello.

BiancaBianca

Cassio shows courtly politeness to DesdCassio shows courtly politeness to Desdemona and Emilia.emona and Emilia.

Bianca is in lowly status as a courtesan Bianca is in lowly status as a courtesan A cultural bias of the timeA cultural bias of the time