Othello ACT III Questions

Othello Act III

Scene Summaries

Scene 1

Scene II

Scene III

Scene IV

The scene starts with

Cassio sending some
musician to play for
Othello. A clown then
appears and tells the
musician to go away. Iago
then enters allowing
Cassio to ask if he can
speak to Emilia so that she
may arrange a meeting
with Desdemona. Later
Emilia comes and informs
Cassio that Desdemona is
already pleading his case
to Othello, but Othello
fear that Montano is more
important than Cassio.
Othello believes that
Montano is important in
Cyprus and bringing
Cassio back after what he
did would to Montano
would be considered bad
reputation. Cassio then ask
Emilia if he can talk to
Desdemona.

This scene jumps to

Othello and Iago together
in the citadel. Othello then
instructs Iago to give his
letters to the senate while
he goes to inspect some
fortification. This leaves
Cassio and Desdemona
alone to talk.

Cassio pleads to
Desdemona to help him,
and Desdemona promises
that she will do everything
she can. Othello and Iago
then enter which scares
Cassio off making him run
away looking like hes
guilty of something.
Desdemona quickly ask
when Othello can speak to
Cassio, and Othello tells
her to leave him alone.
The scene then goes to
Iago talking to Othello and
he asks Othello if Cassio
had known Desdemona
before they got married.
Othello tells him he had,
and Iago suggests to
Othello to beware of what
is happening between
Desdemona and Cassio.
Iago then leaves and we
see Desdemona and
Emilia enter. Not looking
well Desdemona offers to
wipe Othellos head, but
drops the handkerchief
when Othello pushes her
hand away. Emilia takes it
and then later gives it to
her husband. Iago decides
to place the handkerchief
in Cassios room to
incriminate him. Othello is
now furious at Iago for
making him suspicious of
his wife and ask Iago for
proof. Iago tells him that
he overheard Cassio talk
in his sleep about his wife
and saw him use the
handkerchief that
belonged to Desdemona.
Othello is now furious that
Desdemona would betray
him and vows to take
revenge. He then promotes
Iago to lieutenant and asks
him to kill Cassio. Iago
says he will but as long as
Othello does not kill
Desdemona.

The scene then jumps to

Desdemona and Emilia.
Desdemona sends the
clown to tell Cassio she
has done everything she
can but will continue to
persuade Othello to think
about his case. Othello
then enters the room
pretending everything is
normal. Othello then looks
at Desdemona hand and
tells her it looks like the
hand had been performing
suspicious acts.
Desdemona then switches
the subject to Cassio
which reminds Othello of
the handkerchief. Othello
asks to see the
handkerchief in which
Desdemona says she does
not have with her right
now. Othello tells her the
handkerchief is magical
and belonged to his
mother. Anyone who wield
the handkerchief would
have a loyal spouse.
Othello then repeatedly
ask Desdemona to show
him the handkerchief.
Othello is then angered as
Desdemona keeps
ignoring his question to
talk about Cassio in which
he leaves the stage. Cassio
and Iago then enter.
Desdemona tells Cassio
now is not the time to talk
to Othello. Desdemona
then speak that Othello is
not himself probably
because of a state affair
happening in Venice or
Cyprus. Desdemona and
Emilia then exits, in which
Bianca enters. Cassio
gives the handkerchief to
Bianca in which she
accuses Cassio of seeing
another women, but
Cassio assures her that he
is not. Cassio then leaves
and says he will see her
later.

Othello ACT III Questions

a) Othello asks for ocular proof (III.iii.361). What does he mean by this?
-Ocular proof means evidence that Othello can see.
b) What does Desdemona attempt to use her handkerchief for?
-She attempts to use her handkerchief to wipe Othello forehead because he
looks like he is not feeling well.
c) How does Iago get his hands on Desdemonas handkerchief?
-Iago gets his hand on the handkerchief, because while Desdemona was
wiping Othellos head she drops it as they leave for dinner. Emilia sees this
and remembering how much Iago wanted it, takes it and gives it to him.
d) What is the history of the handkerchief (why would Othello care about its
whereabouts?
-The significance of the handkerchief is that it belonged to Othello mother in
which she got it from a witch in Egypt. It was also said to have magical
powers where anyone who had it would always have a loyal spouse. Othello
cares about where it is because he thinks Cassio has it right now which would
indicate that Desdemona is cheating on him.

Analyze: Unless otherwise instructed, identify the speaker, describe the context and
explain the significance for the following lines.
a) He that filches from me my good name Robs me o that which not enriches
him and makes me poor indeed (III.iii.160).
-The speaker is Iago talking to Othello. Iago is talking to Othello about his
thoughts. Here Iago has begun to manipulate Othello to think that something
is happening between Desdemona and Cassio. Iago then tells him that by
robbing a man of his reputation, Othello would gain nothing but make him a
lot poorer. If somebody ruins your name you are poor indeed. The line talks
about robbing Cassio of his reputation in which Othello did. The significance
of this line is to show how important reputation is to Othello. Without his
reputation Othello would be nothing. Thus Iago has begun to plant the idea
that reputation is important causing Othello to think about his own.
Explain the irony of this statement when we consider Iagos treatment of Cassio and
Desdemona?
- This is ironic because Iago is the one that is robbing Cassio and Desdemona of
their reputation. He robs Cassio of his reputation by making him get into that fight
that cost him his title of lieutenant. Now he plans to ruin Desdemona reputation
by making her appear unloyal to Othello so that Iago could appear to be loyal to
Othello.
b) O beware, my lord, of jealousy: it is the green-eyed monster (III.iii.167)
What is meant by this statement? What motivations could Iago have in advising
Othello to avoid this so called monster?

Othello ACT III Questions

-Iago is warning Othello to beware of jealousy. Iago is probably telling this to Othello to
make him jealous of Cassio and Desdemona. By planting the idea of jealousy in his mind,
Othello will want to get revenge on the people who had betrayed him.
c) She did deceive her father, marrying you and when she seemd to shake
and fear your looks she lovd them most (III.iii.208)
- Iago tells this to Othello while mentioning to him of Desdemonas unfaithfulness. He is
reminding Othello that Desdemona has lied in the past. He reminds Othello that
Desdemona had lied to her father about their relationship and when she pretended to be
scared of him she actually loved him. This line is significant because it suggests Iago is
slowly planting the idea that Desdemona is not as trustworthy as she may seem because
she had lied before.

a)

curse of marriage that we can call these delicate creatures ours and not
their appetitites!(III.iii.270)
- Othello says this while he and Iago are speaking of Desdemona and Cassio. This
line is significant because he is cursing his marriage. He curse his marriage for
being able to call his beautiful wife his but not her desire. He doesnt like the fact
that he cannot know or control everything his wife does. Othello is starting to
mistrust Desdemona and believe Iago.
How does the quote above demonstrate Othellos increasing distrust for his wife?
-It shows how Othello wish he could control and know everything his wife does, which
shows his increasing distrust for her because he doesnt believe everything she tells him
is true.
d) During Scene 3, Iago begins to see the fruit of his efforts to poison
Othellos marriage. Find a line of evidence that demonstrates the change
in Othello (not one of the quotes selected for this worksheet)
- Damn her, lewd minx! Oh, damn her, damn her! Come, go with me apart. I will
withdraw to furnish me with some swift means of death for the fair devil. (III.iii.485)
This shows that Othello wants to kill his wife because he believes what Iago says is true.
This is a major change from Othello loving his wife to wanting to kill her.
e) I am sure it was your wifes did I today see Cassio wipe his beard with.
(III.iii.439)
- Iago says this to Othello while they are talking about Desdemona and
Cassio. Iago tells Othello that he saw Cassio wipe his mouth with the
handkerchief Othello bought for his wife. This is line is evidence to show
Othello the proof that he wanted. The line is significant because the
handkerchief is a prized possession to a woman. Its a token of Othellos love
as well as her own towards him. If Cassio wiped his mouth on this beautiful
handkerchief, Othello would be greatly upset. Therefore, Iago is lying even
more to convince Othello of this affair between Cassio and Desdemona.

Othello ACT III Questions

f) Within these three days let me hear thee say that Cassio s not alive.
(III.iii.473)
-This line is Othello talking to Iago. Othello wants Iago to get revenge for him
by killing Cassio within these three days. The significance of this line is to
show that Othello has been completely manipulated by Iago. He believes in
Iago lies that he willing to kill Cassio even though Cassio has done no wrong.

g) To loset or givet away were such perdition as nothing else could match
(III.iv.63)
Othello is talking to Desdemona about the lost handkerchief. He tells her that
loosing it would be a terrible lost and that nothing else in the world would equal
to this lost. He tells this to Desdemona to confirm if she has it or not to see
whether if she is actually cheating on him. The significance of this line is to
further emphasize the situation between Othello and Desdemona. Othello is
questioning his trust and her loyalty to him because he believes in Iago lies. This
shows that Othello is completely manipulated by Iago.
h) During this scene, the handkerchief causes problems between two
couples. Both Othello and Cassio have difficulty with their significant
others due to this object. Describe the two separate conflicts relating to
the handkerchief.
- This is a conflict between Othello trust for Desdemona. Othello is having
difficulty with this handkerchief because Desdemona has lost it. He thinks that
if she doesnt have it then she is definitely cheating on him with Cassio.
-Cassio is also having trouble with it because he gives it to Bianca who
assumes that Cassio is seeing another lady. Bianca questions whether or not
Cassio is seeing another woman similar to Othello question whether or not
Desdemona is seeing Cassio.

Theme: Use the following source to complete the activities.

Othello ACT III Questions

Shed done it for Rachel. Shed done it for herself. She swung between these justifications from day to day, often between the h
Alex had her own dark wishes. More than anything, she wanted Miles to hurt. There was little she would be able to do all alone
Yet now, as she walks with Rachel, her pink sneakers skipped over the stones, she feels the careful plans shed devised shift an
I like him, Rachel says.
Oh yeah, baby? You like Miles?
Miles? The child stops and stares at her mother. I like Stump, Momma, Stump licked me when I gave him a milkbone.

Andrew Pyper: The Wildfire Season

1. Analyze the excerpt, highlighting three significant lines. Use the insert
comment feature to annotate your analysis
2. Examine the plot of the scene in question. Who is Alex, and why do you
think she wants Miles to hurt? What is the relationship between Rachel
and Miles, and how does Alex intend to use this relationship?
-Alex is Miles wife, and I think she wants to hurt Miles because he abandon
her when she was secretly pregnant which is support by the possibility of why
Rachael has no idea who Miles is when Alex ask if she likes Miles.
-The relationship between Miles and Rachael is possibly a father and daughter
relationship. Rachael appears to be a young girl and Miles appears to be her
dad that had left her when she was young.
-Alex intends to use this relationship between Miles and Rachael to hurt
Miles. She plans to use Rachael because with her there might be enough left
in him that could still be poisoned.
3. How can this excerpt be related to the storyline in Othello? Compose a
paragraph that utilizes specific evidence to establish a similarity between
this story, and Othello.
- This excerpt from The Wildfire Season, by Andrew Pyper is similar to
Othello in the aspect they both describe ones goal of achieving revenge. As
such Alex had her own dark wishes in which she has her own evil plans.
Resembling to Iago he too serve my turn upon him (I.i.42) in which he has

Othello ACT III Questions

his own personal goal. Parallel to the play Othello, this selection talks about
Alexs plan to get revenge on Miles. She wanted Miles to hurt. To do this
Alex is going to use Rachael in order to hurt Miles. In Othello, Iago does the
same by using Desdemona, to accomplish his goal of revenge. He also refers
too many of his plans as being poison. The Moor already changes with my
poison. (III.iii.326) Likewise Alex, reference her plot on Miles like poison
there might be enough left in him that could still be poisoned. However, one
of the biggest connections between this excerpt and Othello is the
manipulation of others to achieve this goal. In this case Alex is using Rachael,
while Iago uses many of the characters within the play to get his revenge.
Both Alex and Iago also appear to have a clear and precise plan. Alex feels
the careful plans shed devised which is comparable to Iago careful planning
to destroy Othello.