The Role of Act Three Scene Three of Othello and How it Relates to the Whole Play

The Role of Act Three Scene Three of Othello and How it Relates to the Whole Play

Character: I am focusing on Othello and Iago.

At the beginning of the play, Othello is very calm and friendly.

Evidence of this is “… the goodness of the night upon you, friend…”

This shows that Othello is calm and happy because he calls Cassio his

friend.

Shakespeare shows Othello to be calm because of his word choices.

These include words such as friend.

At the end of Act 3, Scene 3, Othello becomes more aggressive because

of what Iago as been telling him. Othello believes that his wife,

Desdemona has been cheating on him with Othello’s lieutenant, Cassio.

“O monstrous, monstrous” shows that Othello is angry and frustrated

because Iago has just told Othello that Cassio thinks about Desdemona

in his sleep. In response to this, Othello says, “I’ll tear her all to

pieces” which shows that Othello wishes to kill Desdemona. The

quotation shows this by having a death and bloody theme to it.

Desdemona and Othello are very close at the beginning of the play,

evidence of this is “…I am hitherto your daughter. But here’s my

husband…” This show that Desdemona and Othello both loved each other

at the beginning of the play, but as time passed Othello developed

considerable hatred for her.

Iago and Desdemona are also very close in Act 3, Scene 3. “I am your

own for ever” shows that Iago wishes Othello to be his friend for all

his life. Othello moves from Desdemona to Iago because Iago

brainwashes Othello to believe something that truly does not happen.

Othello sticks with Iago because Othello believes that Iago is the

only friend that he can talk to and also because of the information

that Iago gives Othello.

Othello fatal flaws of insecurity and jealousy are that, firstly

Othello does not see himself as a gentleman. Secondly, Othello feels

insecure because all the other characters are a different colour from

him. “…Is now begrimed and black…” This shows that Othello is insecure