Why is act 3 scene 3 of Othello such a key scene in the story both in terms of the play and the development of drama?

The play "Othello" was performed in 1606 at "The globe" theatre. Unfortunately due to the theatrical convention the cast could only be white male actors, meaning that Desdemona would have been played by a young white boy and Othello would have been played by a white man wearing makeup to alter the colour of his skin.

Aristotle's convention says that the hero figure of the play would die, this means that the Jacobean audience would know that Othello was destined to die, but they would not expect the play to be contrasting to the ways and conventions of the Jacobean lifestyle.

For example they would not have expected for the play to include people from an ethnic background and they especially wouldn't expect some one from an ethnic background to be the lover of a white woman.

The audience knows that Iago and Roderigo are not good because of their discussions and plot to ruin Othello. Brabantio, Desdemona father, discovers Othello and Desdemona's love for each other and accuses Othello of using magic on her; he does not believe it possible that his daughter would naturally fall in love with a coloured person. Desdemona explains to her father that Othello's tales of his adventures were what made them fall in love.

Othello is called away to Cyprus, in Cyprus Iago sets up a fight between Cassio and Roderigo and this causes Othello to demote Cassio. The first thread of Iago's evil plan has been sprung.

The progress of Iago fooling Othello,

Iago "hah, I like not that"

This is Iago starting to tempt Othello's curiosity Othello asks what he does not like Iago replies

"Nothing my lord; or if; I know not what"

This is when Othello realises something is not right and his jealousy begins. Othello then threatens Iago and he replies:

"Cassio my lord; no sure I cannot think ...

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Othello is called away to Cyprus, in Cyprus Iago sets up a fight between Cassio and Roderigo and this causes Othello to demote Cassio. The first thread of Iago's evil plan has been sprung.

The progress of Iago fooling Othello,

Iago "hah, I like not that"

This is Iago starting to tempt Othello's curiosity Othello asks what he does not like Iago replies

"Nothing my lord; or if; I know not what"

This is when Othello realises something is not right and his jealousy begins. Othello then threatens Iago and he replies:

"Cassio my lord; no sure I cannot think it that he would steal away so guilty like, seeing your coming"

This puts the idea in Othello's head that Cassio has something to hide and is perhaps not trustworthy. Othello starts to become suspicious at this point in the play.

In this scene Iago asks Emilia to steal Desdemona's handkerchief. So another part of Iago's plan is complete. But bringing Emilia into the evil would eventually be the ruin of Iago. Othello had reached his peak due to Aristotle convention the hero must decline as a result of a tragic flaw.

Shakespeare uses a clown this is often used to show evil is going to happen in the play. There is another appearance of a clown in scene four. I think this is appropriate as between the two appearances the evil is introduced into the play. The audience can now understand a deeper side to the theme of the play.

In act three scene three Cassio is seen leaving Desdemona, Othello would probably not have thought anything of this but Iago puts the idea into Othello's head that Cassio is untrustworthy and this starts Othello's jealousy. This is the first time in the play that Othello's jealous streak is really evident. It is ironic that it is then that Desdemona pleads for Cassio:

'For he be not one, that truly loves you' Desdemona is trying to tell Othello of Cassio's love for him this angers Othello further.

Iago starts to flatter Othello

'My noble lord--' Iago needs to get close to Othello for his plans to work. What better way to get close than for Othello to invite Iago? Iago is also using flattery in the hope of getting promotion. This is an evil and cowardly way to achieve. Iago is exposing his true colours for the audience to see.

IAGO: 'Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady,
Know of your love?' Iago is making excuses for Cassio therefore removing himself from any path of blame. If Iago were trying to stir up trouble, in Othello's eyes he certainly wouldn't make excuses for him.

Iago knows that Cassio knew of Othello's love for Desdemona. Iago also knows that Othello knew that Cassio knew of Othello's love for Desdemona. By arguing in Cassio's favor Iago is encouraging Othello to change his frame of mind into finding faults in Cassio and instantly laying the blame onto him.

Act three scene three is such an important scene in the story line of Othello because it marks the start of the decline in Othello's power and the increase in jealousy in Othello's character. It is also the scene where Iago's plans to hurt, spite and ruin everybody is introduced into the play. The jealousy starts with Iago he is jealous of Othello's power and love for Desdemona.

The plot is very complicated. Iago is using psychology to make his plans work. This play is very ahead of its time it explores ideas and techniques previously unexplored. Othello was a revolutionary and contrasting play to the Jacobean conventions and although uses techniques familiar to the time remains revolutionary.

This play had a great impact on me, in my opinion this is one of the greatest works of literature Shakespeare ever wrote.