How is Act 3 pivitol to Othello?

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Explain why Act III Scene iii is pivotal to the play, Othello.

Shakespeare’s play, Othello, is portrayed as a tragedy as it shows betrayal in

love, sadness, death and disaster; just some of the features the audience expect a traditional tragedy to have. The main feature in this play that makes it a tragedy is how fate conspires against the hero. Shakespeare was inspired to write this play by the works of Giovanni Battista Giraldi, an Italian writer.

Dramatic irony is used throughout the play to fulfil the expectations the  

audience have of deceit. Characters such as Iago add dramatic irony by performing soliloquies, which reveal things to the audience that the other characters have yet to find out, and then saying something that we know is not true, but the characters do not. Other expectations they will have of the play include betrayal, duplicity and pretence. The play is set within roughly 2 days, which is supposed to make the play more intense as all the events happen on a close time scale. This will again allow the audience to realise that the play is a tragedy.

Prior to act III scene iii, Othello is very much in control of the relationship he

has with Iago. His role as general is evident in their conversations, and Iago is clearly subservient to him. Also they do not have many private conversations and they talk about common things rather then Othello’s private life. However during Act III scene iii Iago starts to manipulate Othello and begins to take more control. We see Iago subtly influence Othello’s thoughts and feelings for Desdemona. This is one of the main reasons why Act III scene iii is such as pivotal part in the play. Othello’s fatal flaw is also discovered and the audience start to realise just how insecure and gullible Othello can be. Another aspect of this section that makes it such a turning point in the play is that Iago’s plan begins to piece together and the audience get a chance to uncover more about Iago and he intends to do.

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At the beginning of act III scene iii the relationship between Desdemona and

Othello is established to be a close and loving one. This is evident in the way Othello speaks to Desdemona and what he calls her. Throughout the opening pages of Act III scene iii Othello refers to Desdemona as “sweet Desdemon”. The abbreviation of Desdemona to Desdemon shows Othello’s affection. The use of “sweet” along side it emphasises his emotions further.

Also, at the beginning of the scene Othello and Desdemona are shown

to have an openly loving and caring relationship. This is ...

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