Act 3.3 Flashcards
1
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 0-9
- who is on stage
A
- Desdemona promises to Cassio that she will strive to bring him and Othello together again
- Emilia says Iago is equally concerned
- Cassio pledges his allegiance to Desdemona whatever happens
- desdemona, cassio and emilia have just entered
2
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 10-40
- who is on stage
A
- Desdemona explains that Othellos distance from Cassio is diplomatic and temporary.
- Cassio fears that it may become permanent.
- Desdemona assures him of her full support. she says she would rather die than give up on Cassio and encourages him to be optimistic.
- When Othello and Iago enter, Cassio, despite Desdemonas invitation to stay, leaves feeling guilty.
- Iago makes his exit seem suspicious to Othello
- on stage is first Desdemona, cassio and emilia and then iago and othello come on stage after desdemona has finished speaking. just before emilia speaks. After line 28
3
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 40-69
- who is on stage?
A
- Desdemona says Cassio has been to see her, and she pleads with Othello to make peace
- Desdemona thinks Cassio is loyal. She asks Othello to call him back.
- Desdemona tells Othello that Cassio is so depressed that she sympathises.
- she repeats her request to call him back. Othello declines, so she points out that, but for the circumstances, Casio’s fault deserved only a private reprimand
- She wonders if she would deny him a request so feebly.
- on stage is othello and desdemona.
4
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 70-98
- who is on stage
A
- Desdemona reminds Othello of Casio’s support in his wooing of her.
- Othello agrees to see C- but at a time of his own choosing.
- Desdemona insists that she is not requesting a special favour but merely advising Othello something for his own good
- he repeats that he will deny her nothing, but asks to be left alone.
- She goes, confirming that he should follow his own wishes and she will obey
- Othello expresses his absolute love for her and the fatal effects of losing her
- Iago begins to question Othello as to whether Cassio knew desdemona while they were wooing. Othello confirms this.
- on stage is Othello an desdemona however des and em leave before iago asks the question
5
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 99-126
- who is on stage?
A
- Iago continues to ask questions about casio, without revealing his thoughts or motives, until othello snaps and insists he must be hiding some monstrous thought because of his questions about casio’s behaviour with desdemona. He wants to know what it is
- Iago confirms his loyalty to Othello and Ithello points out that his mysterious behaviour is therefore all the more worrying.
- iago says he could swear to Casio’s honesty.
- on stage is just othello and iago.
6
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 126-158
- who is on stage
A
- Iago says that men should be what they seem. othello agrees and iago repeats his faith in cassio
- this makes Othello suspicious.
- iago replies that he has a right to keep his speculative thoughts to himself
- othello points out that it is wronging a friend to keep secret a possible wrong
- iago says that he could be wrong-he has a tendency to find faults where there are none. he adds that it would not be good if he revealed his unsubstantiated thoughts. Othello wants clarification.
- Othello and Iago are on stage
7
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 158-190
- who is on stage
A
- iago philosophises that reputation is the most important thing.
- othello presses further but Iago refuses to say any more.
- when othello grunts in frustration, iago warns him against jealousy
- othello is destraught. He cannot understand why Iago has mentioned jealousy. He says that if he were ever jealous he would deal with it immediately
- the mere fact that his wife is very attractive will not make him jealous. he needs evidence
- on stage is Othello and Iago
8
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 191-219
- who is on stage?
A
- Iago says he now feels few to warn othello to watch his wife
- he does not want Othellos open spirit to be exploited.
- he adds that Desdemona deceived her father by marrying Othello, and points out that Desdemona was only pretending to be afraid of Othello in irder to decieve her father. Othello agrees.
- iago says this is proof of her powers of deception.
- othello says he is indebted to Iago and denies that he is worried
- iago warns othello not to elaborate on his thoughts
- on stage is iago and othello
9
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 220-249
- who is on stage?
A
- Iago affirms that Cassio is his friend
- Othello says that he is only a little disturbed and is sure of desdemonas honesty
- he wonders how people can betray their true natures.
- iago seizes on this and points out that Desdemona’s rejection of marriage to Venitian men was abnormal. He fears she may compare Othello unfavourably.
- Othello orders Iago to go but asks him to report and for Emilia to watch Desdemona
- othello wonders why he married. He trusts Iago. Iago returns and insists Othello should not dwell on this matter.
- He advices him to not reinstate Cassio just yet but to keep a close watch on how Desdemona pleads for him.
- Othello and Iago. Iago leaves for a second and then returns though.
10
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 250-281
- who is on stage?
A
- Othello says he will not lose his self control
- iago leaves and Othello decides he will be rid of Desdemona if he proves her false.
- he is sure she has deserted him because he is black and old.
- he curses marriage for infatuating men with creatures whose desires they cannot control.
- Desdemona enters and Othello is unable to believe that she is guilty.
- Desdemona calls him to dinner with his guests and notices his faint answer
- on stage is Othello and Iago and then Iago leaves before Desdemona and Emilia enter
11
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 282-308
- who is on stage?
A
- Othello complains of a headache. Desdemona offers to bind his head.
- Othello pushes the offered handkerchief away.
- Desdemona drops it and Othello tells her to leave it.
- Othello and Desdemona leave and Emilia picks it up and says she will give it to Iago since he has often said he has wanted it.
- She says she will have it copied.
- Iago enters and after he has casually accused her of promiscuity, she tells him about the handkerchief.
- Othello and Desdemona leave
- emilia is on stage
- iago enters when O and D have left.
12
Q
what happens in act 3.3 lines 309-336
A
- Despite emilias protests, Iago takes the handkerchief.
- Emilia goes and Iago says he will leave it in Cassio’s lodgings and let him find it. Such a trivial thing could provoke Othello’s jealousy further
- Othello enters and Iago senses that nothing will bring him peace.
- Othello is thinking of Desdemona’s deception and Iago says he should stop. Othello dismisses him.
- on stage is Iago at the start and so is Emilia. Em them leaves and Othello enters.
13
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 137-370
- who is on stage?
A
- Othello says he was happy when he knew nothing of Desdemonas unfaithfulness.
- He would have been happy if the whole army had had her as long as he did not know.
- Now he has no peace and feels everything that made his life worthwhile has gone
- he insists iago prove desdemona is a whore. He wishes to see certain proof. Iago tries to protest
- Othello turns on Iago in rage and says that, if Iago is decieving him he may as well sink deeper into evil deeds bc nothing he does in future could ever be worse.
- on stage is Iago and Othello
14
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 371-401
- who is on stage?
A
- Othello reacts with well-stimulated shock when Othello should think such a thought and says he will learn never to be honest or love again.
- Othello relents but cannot be sure what he thinks of Desdemona or Iago
- he insists on proof saying that in his present situation he is suicidal.
- Iago dismisses the idea that Othello should actually spy on Desdemona and Cassio having sex. He says it would be very hard to arrange.
- on stage is Iago and Othello
15
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 402-434
- who is on stage?
A
- Iago asks if Othello will accept circumstantial evidence. Othello wants a strong reason for Iago’s suspicions.
- Iago describes how he heard Cassio speak in his sleep to Desdemona about keeping their love a secret and even acted out love making.
- Though Iago reminds Othello he’s merely been recounting Cassio’s dream, Othello is certain it is about a real sexual encounter
- Iago agrees it is likely but says they have seen notjing.
- He asks about Desdemona’s handkerchief
- on stage is Othello and Iago
16
Q
- what happens in act 3.3 lines 435-465
- who is on stage?
A
- Iago tells Cassio that he has seen Cassio wiping his beard with the handkerchief
- Othello is reduced to thoughts of murder.
- Othello declares that his vengeful thoughts are irresistable and swears to carry them out.
- Iago commits himself to Othello’s service in this
17
Q
- what happens in the last stage of act 3.3 lines 466-477
- who is on stage?
A
- Othello promises rewards if Iago kills Cassio and Iago says it is as good as done
- Othello says he will find a means to kill Desdemona himself and appoints Iago his lieutenant.
- Iago swears loyalty forever.
- on stage is Othello and Iago. Iago leaves at the end of this scene.
