In The Shakespeare Play 'Othello'

Adam Warburton – Year 11 GCSE Coursework – Othello

The Importance Of Act Three Scene Three

In The Shakespeare Play ‘Othello’

Act III Scene III is the most important in the play. It is the famous corruption scene and takes place in the citadel’s garden. It is here that Iago’s plan goes from in his head into Othello’s head. He finally unleashes his plan and it only takes one scene for Othello to be convinced that Desdemona is unfaithful. The scene is central to the play both in time and in action. During these events relationships change, which can be never go back to the way they were. Major changes in character occur, for example Iago finally takes control of Othello. This scene is pivotal; the plot takes a full turn. Relationships between characters are good up to this point; however, it is after these events that Othello despises those close to him, excluding Iago, who has full control of Othello’s head.

This scene begins with Desdemona, Emilia and Cassio in discussion. Desdemona explains that she will plead with Othello in order to get Cassio’s job back as lieutenant. This was planned by Iago, telling Cassio to ask Desdemona to ask for his job back, as this will play into Iago’s hands when he is corrupting Othello’s mind. When Desdemona does this Iago simply implies that she is in love with Cassio and that is the reason. The actual reason is that Desdemona is a caring, sweet person, who believes Cassio deserves his job back. Othello didn’t originally want to fire Cassio, but felt he had to. Desdemona then assures Cassio that he will get his job back “I give the warrant of thy place. Assure thee, if I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it” Othello and Iago then enter at a distance and Cassio is embarrassed that he will have to stand there while Desdemona begs for his job. He then goes and Iago drops the first hint that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair “ Ha! I like not that”.

Othello is then immediately drawn into what he said. “What dost thou say?” Othello appeals to Iago to tell him what he didn’t like but Iago doesn’t want to seem to upfront as this could blow his plot out of the window, he insinuates that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair “Cassio, my lord! No, sure, I cannot think it, that he would steel away so guilty like, seeing you coming” Othello wasn’t even thinking that Cassio left guilty before Iago said it, but now he begins to get suspicious. Desdemona then comes over and pleads for Cassio’s job, which was the worst thing she could do, she is playing into Iago’s infected evil head. Desdemona asks for Cassio’s job, to which Othello replies “Not now sweet Desdemon; some other time”, but Desdemona keeps on asking, ‘when’, ‘how long’ ‘today’, ‘tomorrow’ almost like she is obsessed. Othello keeps his cool and eventually gives in and says he can deny her nothing, which is ironic, as by the end of the scene he has decided to deny her her life. Desdemona then leaves, with her last line being “I am obedient” which is totally true, as she has done nothing that Iago insinuates. Iago then carries on with his plan asking did Cassio know of his love for Desdemona, Othello then says he did but why are you asking, to which Iago says for the satisfaction of his thought. This is the beginning to make Othello jealous. Othello is weak in that he believes he is not good enough for Desdemona, he is black which was seen as a second class person, and Desdemona had the choice of all the rich, white Venetian men, so he is left wondering why she chose him. He is mental insecure over the issue of Desdemona. Othello is now trying to look into Iago’s mind to wonder what he is thinking as Othello believes Iago is ‘honest’ and whatever he says as gospel truth. The question of Cassio’s honesty then arises. Quick sentences are then said, unlike the ‘normal’ Othello, which shows he is becoming distressed and is being teased. Othello then says he knows that Iago has something hideous in his head, and is intrigued and wants to know why. Othello has picked upon Iago’s subtle hints and he feels he needs to know them. Iago says he doesn’t have to tell Othello his thoughts and that he is loyal to Cassio. By saying this and just giving little hints to Othello it will seem like he is unique later on when he finally tells Othello. Othello threatens Iago, and Iago again says he will not tell him. Othello replies “Ha”, he is lost for words. Iago then refers to jealously, the theme of the play, as something that lives inside you, and warns him of it “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on” Iago then makes the first hint towards an affair by saying “that cuckold lives in bliss”, a cuckold being a man whose wife has been unfaithful. It does not imply that Othello is the cuckold, but it makes Othello think.

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Othello then tries to convince himself that she is faithful, which she is. “For she had eyes and chose me”, “my wife is fair”. He says he will not believe Iago until he proves him wrong, but deep down Othello is insecure over Desdemona and probably believes she is unfaithful. Othello is confident in his fighting skills, but not in relationships. Iago says he is glad Othello wants proof, because he knows exactly how to give it to him. Othello is already jealous at this point. Iago says look at your wife when she is with Cassio. This is the first time in this scene that Iago is specific in what he is saying. Desdemona and Cassio are characters that complement each other and Cassio is very flirtatious, therefore when they speak, it could be seen upon as if they were married or sleeping together. Iago then goes on to say that all Venetian women are whores, and he knows first hand. Iago believes Othello slept with his wife, and this is the reason most people believe, including me, Iago wants to destroy Othello. Iago says that Desdemona deceived her father, so why not Othello. This is true, but Desdemona’s unfaithfulness isn’t. Othello says he is “bound to thee forever”. Showing Othello is now Iago’s puppet. Iago pulls the strings and Othello responds. Othello is now possessed by Iago’s masterful but evil mind. Othello is distracted for a bit with the thoughts of Desdemona and Cassio spinning through his head. Iago knows his plan is beginning to work when Othello does this. He says he fears he has moved him, and what he said has come from his love. Othello says he isn’t moved, and still believes Desdemona is still honest. Iago then proposes that Desdemona must be odd to turn down all the rich Venetian men and that she will go with anyone.

Othello then uses Iago as a ‘detective’ to see what is really going on with his wife and Iago goes. This now is one of the few times in the play Othello is left on his own. He wonders why he married which is a strong reflection on his thoughts. He now believes Desdemona is unfaithful. He also believes Iago knows more than he is letting on. Iago then re-enters saying they are on their way. He says if Desdemona asks for Cassio to be re-instated it is conclusive evidence they are having an affair. Othello then says he will keep his self-control, and Iago again takes his leave.

This is only Othello’s second soliloquy in the whole play so far. In this he basically says that he will leave Desdemona if he finds out she is unfaithful. He uses bird imagery to describe this. At this point Othello is still speaking normally and uses blank verse, a sign he is still in control, but later in the scene when he loses it he begins to speak in prose, as Iago speaks during the play. This is a sad soliloquy in which the audience would feel sorry for Othello. He says he is black and old and it is no wonder she had an affair. He feels the only way out of this mess is to hate Desdemona, although deep down inside he still loves her. He is now convinced she has slept with Cassio yet no evidence has been provided. This just shows Iago’s masterful mind, how he can turn someone with just a few hints and tips. Iago uses and chooses his words very carefully in not to give anything away, but still leavening the other characters in the dark to what his true inner feelings are. You can tell the difference in character between Othello and Iago very easily. Othello uses lots of imagery and speaks in blank verse and is very ‘what you see is what you get’ while Iago prefers to keep his thoughts to himself and even in the soliloquy doesn’t give many things away. He speaks in prose and uses vulgar language and is very sexual in the few images he projects.

When Desdemona enters Othello exclaims, “I’ll not believe’t”, he can’t believe that someone so beautiful and caring can possibly be unfaithful. Othello complains of a headache and Desdemona then gets out the one piece of crucial evidence in the play. The handkerchief. Othello becomes impatient and throws the handkerchief away. Othello and Desdemona then depart leaving Emilia alone. This is her first and only soliloquy. She says of how Iago begged her to steel this handkerchief and now she has found it she will give it to him, unknowing what he will do with it. When Iago enters he is very dismissive towards his wife and in his head he is sure she is cheating on him. As soon as he enters he doesn’t say hello or anything, he say “how now! What do you do here alone” immediately thinking she is up to no good. Emilia then hands Iago the handkerchief, one of the most, if not the most, important object in the play. He doesn’t tell her why he wants it, and dismisses her. Iago is again on his own for another soliloquy. In this he reveals that he intends to leave the handkerchief in Cassio lodging, therefore making it look like Cassio is sleeping with Desdemona. Iago believes if Othello sees this, then he will believe it more than the gospel, “Trifles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong. As proofs Holy”. Iago believes that the longer these thoughts stay in Othello’s head, the more they will hurt him, which is totally true. When Othello re-enters, he is a different person. He speaks differently and begins to say short quick sentences “ha! Ha! False to me?”

He proceeds to say that no amount of drugs ever make him fall asleep after what he has found out. Othello is gradually losing control, just as Iago planned all along. Othello says the reason he is losing it is because he can feel Cassio’s kisses on Desdemona’s lips, this shows how convinced Othello is that Desdemona is cheating on him, he senses the kisses that don’t even exist. Othello begins to have more and more visions, he sees them in bed together and kissing each other, and the more he thinks these thoughts then the more obsessed and enraged he becomes. He then wishes that he hadn’t found out as what people don’t know cant hurt them. Othello then changes the subject and begins to talk about war. This is a clear indication that he is now on a path to kill and destroy both Desdemona and Cassio. Othello enjoys war and gives a speech in 3rd person describing war. Othello has not completely lost it due to the thoughts of his wife sleeping with another man. Othello then comes close to uncovering Iago’s plot and says he wants evidence if he is to believe it. He says if his wife is true, then Iago will be killed and damned forever. Iago protests his innocence and says all he has said was the truth. He says for telling the truth all he gets is grief so next time he wont bother. This is very clever by Iago, just showing his brilliant mind, in times of questioning, he can completely turn things around, Othello was shouting at him before this and grabbed him round the neck, now he has calmed things down a bit. Othello now can’t decide who is truthful. Iago then says what evidence does Othello want, does he want to stand there and watch her being “topped”. He then says that that would be difficult. To get there whilst they were at it and… Basically he is again putting the images of Desdemona and Cassio into Othello’s mind. He is rubbing the salt into Othello’s already open wound. Othello then asks for a reason why she is disloyal. Iago then feeds him a story, which is totally made up. It is about Cassio and Iago in their sleeping lodges and Cassio dreaming of Desdemona and putting his leg over Iago. Non of this ever happened, but it is convincing the way in which Iago makes the story appear, because at the end after the build up he says, but it was a dream and dreams aren’t always true, bring us back down. After this Othello now believes they have slept together. During Iago convincing Othello Desdemona is unfaithful, he never shows an anger or hatred towards either Desdemona or Cassio, this therefore makes his story more believable as it gives Othello no clue or motive to why Iago would do this, it makes it seem as if he is only doing it for Othello. In loving the other characters, when Iago does this for Othello, Othello will hold him in high respect for it.

Iago then introduces the handkerchief to the scene. He acts as if he knows nothing about it “have you not sometimes seen a handkerchief spotted with strawberries in your wife’s hand?” Othello tells him it was his first gift to Desdemona, Iago then says he saw Cassio wipe his beard with it. This drives Othello mad. The handkerchief was a sign of their eternal love, and she is using it as if it means nothing, or that is what Iago is implying. Othello now wants revenge. He hasn’t stopped loving Desdemona, but feels after what she has supposedly done, he has no choice. He sees killing Desdemona as a good thing; he has a lust to kill her. Othello kneels and swears to heaven he will kill both Desdemona and Cassio, and Iago know kneels with him. They are treating it as if it was a crusade it has to be done. Othello then tells Iago to kill Cassio, to which Iago replies, it is as good as done, “But let her live” almost saying to Othello, kill her. Othello then says he will kill her and Iago is his new lieutenant. Othello is now completely in Iago’s hands.

This scene is the most important in the play as everything in the play evolves around this scene, and Othello is corrupted in the scene of evil and deception.

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