In Act 3 Scene 3, we can see that Iagos plan of revenge is on progress. He lies and cleverly persuades Othello to believe that his wife Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio

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KUNAL RASTOGI

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Othello

The play, ‘Othello’, written in the 17th century by William Shakespeare is a tragic play which involves romance, love, murder and deceit. ‘Iago’, one of the main characters, other than Othello, is very cunning and manipulative person. He is very sly in his ways and he will do anything to be more powerful, not caring about whom he hurts in the process.

In Act 3 Scene 3, we can see that Iago’s plan of revenge is on progress. He lies and cleverly persuades Othello to believe that his wife Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio and he also involves Roderigo and Emilia in his plotting. Iago is further assisted in this by Desdemona chance of dropping handkerchief of great sentimental value given to her by Othello. Othello commits himself to revenge wanting Iago to plan Cassio’s death while he plans to kill Desdemona.

Thus, this scene is important because it is showing us turning points of different characters. Othello who appears to be good and less tempered in previous acts is now angry and obsessed with revenge and vulnerable in this act. So, we can see a sudden change in Othello’s character.

After reading the act, audience is convinced and can predict that the play will end tragedically because these scenes have no going back for Othello.

 The audience responds in different ways. At the beginning of the play, when Iago is talking to Roderigo, we think that Othello is the bad one. However as the play continues we see Iago’s hatred towards him. The audience does fear Iago to a certain extent as he seems so faithful on the outside but is deceit and clever from inside. However, I believe the audience admires Iago, as the way he manages to get everyone participated in getting revenge on Othello.

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Iago focuses on Othello’s insecurities and uses them to bring about suspicion and jealousy from Othello. Leading up to Act 3 Scene 3, Iago has managed to lower Cassio’s rank. He tells Cassio to try and win Othello’s forgiveness through Desdemona. When Cassio goes to Desdemona, he uses the occasion to make Othello think ‘...Seem that Desdemona and Cassio are sexually involved…’

So, with this quote audience can imagine what Iago is about to do without any suspicion turning towards him. Iago does this by using very scheming techniques. He talks with Othello in such a manner which makes Othello ...

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