When we first meet Othello we cannot help but be impressed by his dignity and good sense, which he shows when questioned about the marriage between himself and Desdemona. He is evidently a soldier worthy of Brabantio’s trust, yet Brabantio has turned on him since finding out about the marriage between his daughter and Othello. This is because Brabantio sees him as a brilliant soldier but being white; therefore his daughter being white it would be inconceivable for Desdemona to marry a black man.
To fall in love with what she feared to look on line 98 act I scene III
This conveys the feeling between races in the Shakespearian era, how Desdemona should not even dream of marrying such a man as Othello.
Othello shows his dislike of unruly behaviour when he dismisses Cassio for a drunken brawl, but when his feelings are in the question, he too easily loses control. Iago plays deviously on his deepest insecurities like his race and his marriage to Desdemona, leaving rage to form from the terror of Iago’s news of treachery from Cassio and Desdemona.
Othello has several insecurities especially the fear that as a foreigner and a simple soldier, the sophisticated Venetians will not accept him in their society. He loves Desdemona so much that he cannot bear to lose her, yet he is constantly reminded of their differences. She is a Venetian and is cheerful, talkative and generally accepted by her peers.
To say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company,
Is free of speech, sings, plays, and dances;
Where virtue is, these are more virtuous. lines 184-186 act III scene III
Othello on the other hand is constantly struggling to fit in. He is respected and is thought of as brave but without his role of a soldier he would have nothing.
Furthermore, Othello feels insecure about Cassio. He knows that he owes a great deal to Cassio for being the bridge between the two lovers yet he knows full well that Cassio and Desdemona would have been ideally suited. They are both high class Venetians and more importantly both white and from the same race. Brabantio holds Cassio in high esteem for the work he does as a soldier under the command of Othello and he is a dignified soldier worthy of respect.
Iago confides to Othello about a previous night while sharing a bed with Cassio and the murmurs and movements uttered from the opposite side of the bed betraying a secret passion between a Desdemona and the former Lieutenant.
In his sleep I heard him say, ‘Sweet Desdemona,
Let us be wary, let us hide our loves!’ lines 417-418 act III scene III
This starts the feeling of jealousy in Othello’s heart. He begins to doubt Cassio’s honesty.
Othello is an extremely caring and adoring husband but does not quite have the qualities needed in a good marriage.
No; once to be in doubt is once to be
Resolved.
This shows that if Othello finds one problem, he knows exactly what to do and is strong enough to resolve it. He would never give up. This is a perfect quality in a general however, marriages encounter numerous problems every day and Othello does not have the capabilities to deal with them. This is a serious disadvantage because he does not have what it takes to run a peaceful relationship expected of him.
After talking to Othello about his fears of love between Cassio and the lovely Desdemona, Iago leaves Othello speculating miserably on the possible reason for Desdemona’s disloyalty: his blackness, lack of social skills, and age.
She’s gone. I am abused, and my relief
Must be to loathe her. O curse of marriage lines 266-267 act III scene III
Already he is talking of loathing her, but when she appears to call him to dinner, he refuses to believe that such a creature could be false. At the end of the scene, Othello is in utter turmoil. He is extremely upset and vengeful.
From line 34 onwards, Iago begins to poison Othello’s thoughts, asking seemingly innocent questions about Cassio and Othello’s courtship of Desdemona. Iago intends for Othello to read something more into them. Othello asks Iago to tell him openly what is burdening his mind. Knowing that it will intrigue Othello further, Iago refuses to reveal his thoughts. But he does remind Othello of the importance of a man’s reputation and advises him to beware of jealousy.
O beware, my lord, of jealousy! line 165 act III scene III
Iago opens up the warning of Cassio and Desdemona’s relationship. He reminds Othello that Desdemona deceived her father and behaved unnaturally when she rejected other young men of her class and colour for a simple black Moor.
She did deceiver her father, marrying you; line 206 act III scene III
Othello, now crushed, asks Iago to spy out any additional treachery and deceit. Othello is already asking himself why he ever got married. Furthermore, Iago advises Othello not to reinstate Cassio explaining how significant it will then be if Desdemona continues to plead on his behalf.
During Iago’s talk to Othello about what he has apparently seen, he uses several different techniques to gain power over Othello’s mind. One of these simple techniques is asking seeming innocent questions about Othello’s love life and about honesty, arousing Othello’s suspicion. Othello then determines to find the reasons for these interests. Another technique that Iago uses is echoing Othello’s words causing the latter to then echo himself. When Iago repeats words, they are spoken in a different tone, which causes Othello to enquire into what is being said, or implied. Iago intends this to happen all along and starts off with an apparently innocent question:
Did Michael Cassio…? line 94 act III scene III
But which is deliberately given heavy significance by Iago’s reaction to the reply:
Indeed? line 101 act III scene III
His second ploy is to feign reluctance to give a straight answer, which he does by irritatingly echoing Othello’s questions. He selects his words very carefully:
No further harm line 97 act III scene III
Which might imply that some harm has already been committed. All this has the desired effect of suggesting to Othello that there is a monster hidden in Iago’s thoughts.
Iago is unwilling to say certain things to Othello, because he does not want the finger pointed at himself. By the end of the scene he can talk freely though, because he has Othello’s complete trust. Iago does this by implying that Othello is an alien who knows nothing about Venetian women and so Othello has no choice but to trust Iago to work all the problems out for him.
Before Iago moves from suggestions to apparent facts, he has to gain and maintain Othello’s trust. He has an immediate advantage right from the start as the lieutenant job is free and he is the natural choice. He also has Othello’s trust of the knowledge of the Venetian women. Othello also loves him as a brother. Moreover throughout the scene, Iago adds complements about Othello and his abilities as a general:
My lord, you know I love you line 117 act III scene III
It is extremely important for Iago to achieve complete trust and respect from Othello. If Othello does not trust him, and Iago tries to accuse Cassio and Desdemona of adultery too early in the scene, then the blame may lay looking directly at him. Iago needs Othello to trust him if he is to water and nurture the seeds of suspicion already sown in Othello’s mind.
Throughout the whole of Act III Scene III, the audience has been captivated by the dramatic irony. Only the audience and Iago himself know of the ulterior motives the conversations that take place between the Othello and Iago with building tension.
The audience is additionally intrigued by Iago’s character. All the way through the scene, even the play, he becomes more devious and sly by the minute, yet the audience rather admire his technique and reluctance to let go and give up. His plan works right through until the end until Emilia realises what she has been oblivious to during the play. Othello even stabs him at the end in a last brutal attempt to take revenge on the man who wrecked his life. The audience feel shocked but great respect at his determination.
This essay has discussed Act III Scene III and has broken it down to reveal and explains the incredible use of language by Shakespeare. Although the true story was written by Giambaltista Cinzio Giraldi in 1565. During this scene we witness a complete change in atmosphere and the characters behaviour as Othello begins to doubt and fear everything he once trusted. Iago drives hi mad with jealousy and loathing.
