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Resources for Language Arts Classrooms
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Cassio is speaking to Desdemona. Desdemona promises Cassio that she will do everything in her ability to help him. Emilia, who is also present, encourages Desdemona to try her hardest. Emilia states that Iago has taken on Cassio’s problem as if it’s his own. Desdemona remarks on how an honest of a fellow Iago is. Desdemona then comforts Cassio by letting him know that she will continuously urge Othello to reinstate him.
In the distance, Othello and Iago enter. Cassio, seeing them, decides it’s time to head off. Iago remarks on how he doesn’t like what he’s just seen. Iago says that he can’t believe how Cassio just left with such a guilty look on him.
Desdemona comes up to Othello and greets him. Then, she begins speaking on Cassio’s behalf. She remarks on how vital a role he played in their budding relationship. She doesn’t understand why he can’t just reinstate him. Othello asks her to stop. Othello will speak to Cassio whenever he comes to see him. Desdemona presses on and says that her request isn’t a simple boon (a favor), but more like a necessary plea. Othello says that he could never say “no” to her; however, he just wants a moment of peace right now. She leaves.
Once she leaves Iago begins to manipulate Othello into believing there is a romance going on between Desdemona and Cassio. Othello reveals that when he was wooing Desdemona that Cassio would carry messages between the two lovers. Iago acts as if there was more going on than just messages being carried. Othello urges Iago to tell him what he is thinking. Othello points out that a man who thinks before he speaks, like Iago is doing, has something to reveal. Othello wants to know what Iago has to say. He trusts Iago, and he thinks that Iago has such faith and love for Othello that he would not lie to him.
Ironically, Iago says that men should be what they act like; if they act differently from what they are then they will be nothing. Othello concurs. He also presses Iago to tell him what he’s thinking. Iago says that Cassio is an honest man. Then, Iago says that a person’s good name is the most important thing of all. Othello begins to get frustrated with Iago’s unclear responses. Iago refuses to share his thoughts with Othello. He warns Othello of jealousy. He calls jealousy a green eyed monster that makes fun of the person it consumes. Iago also says that when a person thinks his partner has been unfaithful then he goes through a terrible time. On the other hand, if he were ignorant of the unfaithfulness then he would remain blissful.
Othello is quick to retort that he loves and trusts his wife more than anything. If Iago is trying to make him think that Desdemona has been unfaithful, then it will be extremely hard to do unless he sees it himself. Upon hearing this, Iago says that now he can reveal his thoughts. He tells Othello to keep his eyes open for the interactions between Cassio and Desdemona. Desdemona was able to deceive her father when she came after Othello and she is capable of deception again. Iago makes it clear that he is saying all of this out of love and loyalty for Othello.
Iago begins to leave, but then he comes back. He urges Othello to not think too much about what he’s said. He tells Othello to consider waiting a bit before reinstating Cassio. That way, he can observe how his wife speaks about Cassio and his reinstatement. This will certainly be a sign of her adultery. Iago leaves again.
Othello speaks out-loud to himself. He remarks on how he will let Desdemona go if she has been cheating on him. He curses marriage. He believes it’s hard for men to call women their own when it’s impossible to control their appetites.
Suddenly, Othello observes Desdemona and Emilia enter in the distance. All of his distrust is thrown out the window when he sees her. He remarks out-loud on how it’s impossible that she has cheated on him.
OTHELLO -- ACT III, 3
Desdemona approaches Othello. She asks him what is keeping him from going to a dinner that the people of Cyprus are holding. Othello says that he is not well on account of a pain in his forehead. She attempts to bandage his forehead with her handkerchief, but it is too little to fit around him. The handkerchief falls to the ground and they leave for the dinner.
Emilia picks up the handkerchief and she remarks on how it was the first remembrance that Othello ever gave Desdemona. Iago has been asking for her to get it from Desdemona; however, Desdemona always keeps it so close that she hasn’t had the opportunity.
Iago enters and Emilia hands the handkerchief over. He instructs his wife to pretend as if she has no knowledge of the fact that he has the handkerchief. She exits. Alone, Iago speaks out-loud. He reveals his plan to stash the handkerchief in Cassio’s room.
Othello enters and speaks to Iago. He remarks on how he once had a more carefree life when he thought that his relationship with Desdemona was sound. Now, he has been robbed of his sanity. All he can think of is the possibility that Desdemona has cheated on him. He threatens Iago, stating that Iago better have some proof of Desdemona’s adultery or else he will feel his full wrath. Iago calls himself a fool for thinking that being honest would cost their friendship.
Othello, still very uncertain that Desdemona has been unfaithful, asks Iago for proof. Iago states that one time he shared a room with Cassio. Iago was kept awake by a bad tooth while Cassio slept. Cassio happened to speak in his sleep that night. In his sleep, Cassio supposedly muttered things about hiding his relationship with Desdemona. Othello begins to enter a terrible rage.
To add more fuel to the fire, Iago remarks on how he saw Cassio wipe his beard today with Desdemona’s handkerchief. Upon this news, Othello is ready to kill Cassio and Desdemona. He appoints Iago his lieutenant and Iago promises to help him.
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by William Shakespeare
