Act 3 Sc 3 Flashcards
What is significant about the imagery of thinking, seeing and knowing?
Demonstrates how Iago poisons Othello’s mind so effectively.
Examples of imagery of thinking seeing and knowing.
‘I cannot think it/ That he would steal away so guilty-like/ Seeing you coming’
Significance of quote:’I cannot think it/ That he would steal away so guilty-like/ Seeing you coming’
Iago begins to interpret events for Othello- getting into his mind. He uses what looks like physical evidence and uses this tactic repeatedly. This leads to Othello thinking the worst and jumping to false conclusions.
Significance of Othello asking Iago to ‘set on thy wife to observe’?
Shows his thoughts are infected- he is no longer ‘well tuned’ with his wife, but Iago.
In Desdemona’s hands, what is the handkerchief a symbol of?
Love and faithfulness- she offers to bind Othello’s head with it- showing wifely concern.
What is the significance of his his rejection of this?
It shows that he is starting to reject Desdemona.
How does the handkerchief significance change in Iago’s hands?
It becomes a sinister object, as symbol of abuse and misuse of power.
What has the love token become a symbol of?
Destruction.
What does the quick pace and structure create a sense of?
Claustrophobia: Othello enters and exits twice but, whenever he turns, he cannot escape Iago’s and his own foul words.
Why is the structure of the dialogue in this scene significant?
During most of the scene, there is one-to-one dialogue between Othello and Iago, and Iago comes to dominate.
It is noticeable that Othello and Iago begin to finish each other’s lines- showing Iago’s influence over Othello.
How are the female characters presented in this scene?
Both Desdemona and Emilia’s voices are silenced and both submit to their husbands. Their submission foreshadows the danger to come.
