Iago continues to tease Othello, telling him lies and then starts to mimic Othello “What does thou think?” “Think, my lord!” and he mimics “Think, my lord” this makes Othello more suspicious of Iago, “As if there were some monster in his thoughts” Othello thinks Iago is hiding something. This scene has a lot of dramatic irony like when Iago says “For Michael Casio, I dare be sworn I think he is honest”, and this is true but Iago is lying.
Later in this scene Othello tells Iago he doesn’t doubt Desdemona “For she had eyes, and chose me”. Othello wont believe anything Iago says until he sees proof “I’ll see before I doubt, when I doubt, prove, and on the proof there is no more but this”. In this scene there is a lots of twist and Othello trusting Iago every word plays an important part in this scene “I am bound to thee for ever” Othello needs to be careful he is putting to much trust into Iago.
Even after Iago is pressurizing the fact that Desdemona is cheating Othello isn’t believing it “ I do not think but Desdemona’s honest”. Then Iago pushes Othello and then Othello has his first doubt “Why did I marry.”
There is also a lot of back stabbing Cassio thinks that him and Iago are friends but he is telling Othello that he shouldn’t get his job back he is up to something,” For, sure he fills it up with great ability, Yet if you please hold off a while. You shall by that perceive him and his means.” Othello suddenly gets lots of doubts it must be his fault his race “Haply , for I am black, and have not those soft parts of conversation that clamberers have.”
Then there is a turning point and Othello blames himself “Ian m to blame” Othello and Desdemona are talking and Desdemona drops her handkerchief but Emila picks it up.” I am glad I have found the napkin”, “My wayward husband hath a hundred times Woo’d me to steal it”, Iago have asked her to steal it and it happens to be the perfect timing in his plan that he steals it. He now has the evidence that Othello wants.
Othello would rather have everyone sleep with Desdemona as long as he didn’t know about it.” I had been happy, if the general camp, Pioners and all, had her sweet body, so I had nothing known.” Othello wants to see the proof “ give me ocular proof.” Othello warns Iago he better not be lying “If thou dost slander her and torture.” Othello still wants to believe his wife and is confused, is she cheating or isn’t she “I think my wife is honest and I think she is not”, this adds to the build up of the story.
Iago is clever and to build up the tension on how he is supposed to get proof he shouts at Othello “Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on; Behold her tupp’d?” Iago is telling Othello how can I prove it? Do you want me to show you them sleeping together well that’s not possible. This adds on to the hankie and the fact that he does have evidence and when he sees it he will be even more surprised.
Iago lies about Cassio sleep talking about how he slept with Desdemona. Iago lies yet again but this time there is proof ‘evidence’ behind it. ”She may be honest yet. Tell me but this: Spotted with strawberries in your wife’s hand”, Iago asks Othello about the hankie, ”Such a handkerchief I am sure it was tour wife’s- did I today see Cassio wipe his beard with.
This is when all the deceit really begins Othello tells Iago to kill Cassio explicitly “Within these three days let me hear thee say that Cassio not alive”. ”Come go with me apart; I will withdraw to furnish me with some swift means of death for the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.” Othello now wants Desdemona dead and wants to plan the death and kill her himself.
This is why Act 3 Scene 3 is considered to be important and effective. How Iago plots and plans his schemes of getting his job back and to see Othello’s life be torn into pieces by himself. In this scene there is a lot of Dramatic Irony and suspense that really builds up the effect of the scene.