act 3 Flashcards
“I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest.”
- Cassio, III, i
- interesting as it’s contradictory. Cassio says that he didn’t realize Florentines could be so kind, showing that he doesn’t really know Iago (as Iago is from Venice)
- dramatic irony as we know that Iago is not honest, and he actually belongs in Florence which is really known for its dishonest businessmen… theme of deception
“The general and his wife are talking of it, And she speaks for you stoutly.”
- Emilia, III, i
- Iago has convinced Emilia to help him with his plan, as Desdemona argues Cassio’s side even before Cassio asks. She is a very loyal woman, conveying that the women are all that is good in society
“O, that’s an honest fellow.”
- Desdemona, III, iii,
- Dramatic irony as she’s referring to Iago. He is anything but an honest fellow… theme of deception
“You have known him long, and be you well assur’d / He shall in strangeness stand no farther off / Than in politic distance.”
- Desdemona, III, iii,
- This introduces the issue of Oth’s rationality (also seen in his judgment of Iago). Des implies that Oth’s ruled by social sense. By demoting Cassio he was making a proper appearance, but soon he’ll make a decision that is completely illogical and shows how far he falls
“Good madam, do; I warrant it grieves my husband /As if the case were his.”
- Emilia, III, iii
- Dramatic irony that reminds audience nothing’s as it seems; Iago has even conned his wife into seeing him in a positive light.
“Therefore be merry, Cassio; /Thy solicitor shall rather die /Than give thy cause away.”
- Desdemona, III, iii
- Foreshadowing as Des will eventually die for the cause
“Ay, but lady, That policy may either last so long… My general will forget my love and service,” (III, iii, 13-18)
- Cassio
- Beautiful personification to, again, bring Oth’s decision making abilities into question. Could he truly forget about Cassio? Though he may be a great battlefield leader, if he cannot adjust to domestic life, maybe he’s not the best leader. Either way, this brings Oth’s rationality to the forefront of our minds.
“Cassio, my lord? No, sure I cannot think it /That he would steal away so guilty-like, /Seeing you coming.”
- Iago, III, iii
- Boom. That’s the planting of the seed of doubt in Oth’s mind.
“What! Michael Cassio, / That came a-wooing with you, and so many a time / When I have spoke of you dispraisingly / Hath tane your part, to have so much to do / To bring him in?”
- Desdemona, III, iii
- This is interesting as we learn that Desdemona used to think lowly of Othello and had it not been for Cassio, her opinion likely wouldn’t have changed. Desdemona was a good judge of character from the start… the women are all that is good in humanity.
“Why, this is not a boon… And fearful to be granted,” (III, iii, 76-83).
- Desdemona
- similes to emphasize that she’s a great person/wife. however, though she means well, this shows her lack of knowledge of Oth. if she knew him, she would’ve withdrawn once he agreed.
- foreshadowing. she says that if she ever needs to ask for something that’ll test his love, it will be more difficult than what she’s now asking for. soon, this’ll occur; she’ll ask Oth to spare her life and he’ll fail the test.
“I will deny thee nothing. Whereon I do beseech thee, grant me this, To leave me but a little to myself.”
- Othello, III, iii
- First sign of Oth being annoyed at Des. This is a good opportunity for Iago; now that Oth is already kinda pissed at her, all he needs to do is fuel the fire that’s already beginning to burn.
“Whate’er you be, I am obedient.”
- Desdemona, III, iii
- She suggests that whether or not Oth is a good husband, she’ll always be a dutiful wife. Even if Des is annoyed at Oth, she remains loyal to him whereas Oth doesn’t consider Des’s feelings at all when he’s annoyed. She’s so much stronger than Oth. The women are all that’s good in society
“Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul /But I do love thee; and when I love thee not, /Chaos is come again.”
- Othello, III, iii
- Oth only praises Des when she’s gone. He doesn’t love her; only the idea of her.
- Foreshadowing as this is actually a prophecy. When he stops loving his wife, chaos will come and this happens in Act V.
- At this point, he still “loves” her though.
“Indeed?”
- Iago, III, iii
- He begins this rhetorical question game to egg on Oth. He knows that he can pique his curiosity by doing this.
“By heaven, he echoes me, As if there were some monster in his thought / Too hideous to be shown.”
- Othello, III, iii
- Dramatic irony; there is a monster in Iago’s mind as he’s a rotten character, but Oth doesn’t mean it like this
- Simile to convey his exasperation
“Men should be what they seem; Or those that be not, would they might seem none!”
- Iago, III, iii
- Juxtaposes the o.g. thing he told Roderigo; that men should put on masks to get what they want. Theme of deception is apparent.
- Dramatic irony of course. The play’s most corrupt character comments on himself and gives this morality lesson that he never follows.
“Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago,”
- Othello, III, iii
- He refers to Iago as his friend. The corruption is heavily underway now as Iago is no longer beneath Oth, but on par w/him.
“I do beseech you… To let you know my thoughts,” (III, iii, 145-155).
- Iago
- “My jealousy/Shapes faults that are not:” personification. Iago is referring to jealousy as suspicion, but also referring to it as just jealousy, since he knows that it is Oth’s jealousy that will make him see things that aren’t there.
- Such dramatic irony. Iago even points out his own corruption but Oth doesn’t care cuz Iago has got himself such a good reputation.
“Good name in man and woman, dear my lord… And makes me poor indeed,” (III, iii, 156-162).
- Iago
- metaphor on jewel and stealing shit to juxtapose Iago’s o.g. statement at beginning of play; that reputations can be falsely won + unfairly lost. Now he says that nothing’s more important than reputation and he wouldn’t want to ruin Cassio’s. Adds to the important theme of reputation’s significant role in hiding one’s true nature.
“O beware, my lord, of jealousy: / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on.”
- Iago, III, iii
- Stunning metaphor which, of course, is foreshadowing. Jealousy will kill Oth.
“No, Iago, I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; And on the proof, there is no more but this: Away at once with love or jealousy!”
- Othello, III, iii
- Says that he’s believe things only if there’s actually proof. Of course, the audience knows that what one says is not always true, even though Oth doesn’t even realize yet that what he’s saying is untrue. Theme of deception again.
“‘Tis not to make me jealous… For she had eyes and chose me,” (III, iii, 185-191).
- Othello
- Important characterization of Oth here. He says that Desdemona chose him despite the fact that he’s of a “lesser” race and that he’s not as attractive as her. The fact that he refers to his “weak merits” shows that he has self esteem issues. The audience will later see that this low self confidence will fuel his doubt of Des.
- Imagery also shows how pure Des is.
“I know our country disposition well… Is not to leave’t undone, but keep’t unknown, (III, iii, 203-206).
- Iago
- Theme of the mischaracterization of women. In reality, women in the play represent goodness, yet the men (Cassio, Brabantio, Oth and Iago) pin all badness on them. Nothing is as it seems; the women are so much more than the men make them out to be.
