I worked with Estella Jones, Siena Carmona, & Celine Ly . ______/72+ pts.

(Plus at least 13 vocabulary definitions)

NameSS Aubrey Piowowar ; Date 10/18/21

GUIDING QUESTIONS for ACT III, OTHELLO
RESOURCES for the DEFINITIONS of VOCABULARY: Dictionary.com,
Merriam-Webster, Thesaurus.com
_______/13 pts.

To complete this assignment, you should work with two/three/four

partners--NO MORE unless your schedules comply with one another--, reading
along and answering the questions together. If you did NOT work 1.) equitably
(definition: in a fair and impartial manner) with your last group on either Act II or
Act I questions, you should not work with that group again. DUH.
If you do not write at the top of this document AND on a post in google
classroom with whom you worked (and period) AND if you do send me a photo of
you working together, you will earn a ZERO. PERIOD.
Be sure that you locate TEXTUAL EXAMPLES and write COMMENTARY for
each example in your answers. I expect you to do your BEST work, integrating
sophisticated vocabulary (you have now been exposed to over 300 vocabulary
words in my class these two+ months alone!), writing complete sentences (unless
otherwise stated), and utilizing 2) impeccable (in accordance with the highest
standards of proprietary) grammar.
PLEASE TYPE—DOUBLE SPACED.

READING POINTERS:
Note that this ACT demonstrates the downfall of Othello due to his own
rash, unsubstantiated, zealous, dramatic JEALOUSY and the devious, various
ways in which Iago brilliantly and successfully manipulates him.
Carefully focus upon the sections in which Othello’s LANGUAGE becomes
clipped, rude, and highly emotional; at some point, he even 3) emulates and 4)
mirrors (BOTH THESE WORDS MEAN? 3) imitates and 4) copy or representation)
Iago’s DICTION.
Watch how his RELATIONSHIP with Desdemona radically changes through
their conversations alone. Trace the 5) vindictive (vengeful) venom that Othello
astonishingly spews about his wife (at the end of the scene) when he speaks alone
with Iago.
https://www.dictionary.com
PARTICULAR LINE HELPERS: The line/page numbers I have given are
from the abstract art edition; do not follow them if you have the Versace edition.
When Othello says to Desdemona, “I have a pain upon my forehead here,” (line
285) he is referring to a double entendre of not only having a potential
headache, but that he also has horns coming out of his head, denoting his feeling of
being cuckolded woman is wearing the pants, he is being cheated on by
Desdemona (We will go over this word next week).
When Emilia shares with the audience, “I’ll have the work ta’en out,” (line
297) she means that she will copy the handiwork of Desdemona’s handkerchief so
that there will be TWO handkerchiefs.

ACT III, scene i:

1.) Why do you think that Shakespeare employs the clown at this point (Reread
what happened at the end of ACT II)? Do NOT just write: “To be funny.”
- The clown was meant to provide comic relief for the audience because Iago had just

revealed an extended version of his devious plan in the previous scene. The plan was

quite overwhelming, so, Shakespeare used the clown to provide comical entertainment

for the tense audience (us).

2.) What information does Cassio reveal to Iago that compels Iago to help him?
- Cassio says he wants to try and redeem himself to Othello by pleading that his drunken

self is completely different from his normal self. Igao sees this as a perfect opportunity to

proceed with his plan, advising that Cassio should try to appease Othello through

Desdemona. By doing so, Iago can fake a rumor of Cassio and Desdemona seeing one

another, and thus, forcing Othello to lose trust in Desdemona and continue Iago’s plan to

ruin Othello’s logical psyche.

ACT III, scene iii:

3.) How are Emilia, Desdemona, and Cassio ALL 6) duped (you have already
defined this word once, for goodness sakes! Fooled; manipulated : DUPlicity) by
Iago? Your answer for Cassio may reflect events/conversations in ACT III: i. (6
pts.)
· Emilia - Iago tells Emilia to listen to what he tells her to do by fetching Desdemona’s

handkerchief, silencing her when she questions his intentions. And Emilia is forced to listen to

Iago, her husband’s, request.

· Desdemona - Iago yells across the hall to Cassio running out of Desdemona and Othello’s room

so that Othello would automatically question Desdemona when they walk into the room.

Because of Iago’s advice for Cassio, Desdemona now vouches for Cassio and constantly mentions

his name in her and Othello’s conversation, making it worse for her, Cassio, and Othello. This

would eventually lead to their separation as Desdemona and Othello’s argument reveals their

contrasting ideas of how they should treat each other.

· Cassio - Iago tells Cassio to see Desdemona to regain his position as Lieutenant and Othello’s

trust, but, unbeknownst to Cassio, this would actually make the situation worse and further

polarize Othello’s trust in Cassio.

4.) Cite at least two of Iago’s 7) contrived (definition: forced ) scenarios that lead
Othello to feel jealousy ‘for the first time.’ Line 35 MUST be one of your answers.
(4 pts.)
● The first scenario in which Iago leads Othello to feel jealousy is in the one simple line,

“Ha! I like not that” (3.3.35). This phrase is the very beginning of a change in perspective

for Othello, and introduces Othello into an entirely new emotion. From this point on,

Othello entirely shifts in his views of Desdemona, and it is all because of Iago’s devious

nature.
 ● The second scenario where Iago pours pestilence into Othello’s ear is when Iago

comments on Cassio’s quick leave when Othello approaches causing stronger feelings of

jealousy, “ That he would steal away so guilty-like, Seeing you coming.”(III.III.40) By

making Othello concerned by Cassio’s behavior, Iago’s plan to unhinge Othello continues

and grows stronger as the play develops.

5.) How does Othello’s language change towards Desdemona?

Othello begins to speak towards Desdemona in a cruel way once Iago has corrupted him.

Insead of the lovely and romantic way in which he spoke to her in the beginning of the play, he

now treats her with no respect or loving nature. When Othello arrives in Cyprus, after

Desdemona had already been there, he tells her, “It gives me wonder great as my content / To

see you here before me” (2.1.179-180). This simple line shows the immense love that Othello has

for Desdemona, through the loving and grateful language that he uses towards her. In Othello’s

first interaction with Desdemona after his conversation with Iago, he is very vague with his

language, unlike the way he once spoke. He even refers to her as “chuck” which is a term that

shows his affection, however, this is not a term that Othello would typically use to describe his

wife, because he is a man of dignity (3.4.43). Instead of treating her like his wife, he treats her

with inexplicit love and language. Othello’s language will only continue to depreciate towards

Desdemona as he is more influenced by Iago’s actions.

6.) How does Othello 8) parrot (you better DEFINE THIS WORD in your response
repeat) Iago? What does this language reveal about Othello’s personality change?
(4 pts.)
Once Iago corrupted Othello’s pure soul with his venom, Othello began to mimic the

behaviors of Iago through his language. Othello first repeats Iago when he first plants the ideas
of Desdemona’s infidelity into Othello’s head. When Iago says “Indeed!” It is immediately

followed by Othello answering back. “Indeed! Aye, indeed” (3.3.102-103). This is the first

example of Othello mocking the language of Iago, which reveals Othello's inevitable downfall. A

second example of Othello quite literally mocking Iago is when Othello shouts out the phrase,

“Ha!” which Iago is infamous for when he synthesizes his devious plans (3.3.166). Within these

examples of Othello quite literally copying Iago’s language and attitude, the audience is revealed

to Othello’s new personality, which has rotted from the once valiant man he was.

7.) How do you know that Othello is becoming more and more envious?
The audience can tell Othello is becoming more and more envious through the

deterioration of his language and the length of his lines. Othello is unaware of the feeling of

jealousy and his thoughts are slow and muddled, causing Othello to look to Iago for clarification

of his feelings. Othello repeatedly asks questions to Iago to understand the situation of Cassio

and Desdemona. For example, “Who is’t you mean?”(III.iii.49) This question shows Othello’s

cluelessness about jealousy and affairs. Another example of Othello becoming envious is his

need to have Iago explain all social cues to him, “Why of thy thought, Iago?” (III.iii.51) This

evidence exhibits Othello’s dependence on Iago, and Iago’s ability to grow Othello’s jealousy and

loss of rational behavior.

8.) What’s happening to the length of Othello’s lines when he gets upset? Give
TWO examples. (4 pts.)
● As Othello grows envious and jealousy overtakes him his lines decrease in length and

become much shorter. In the beginning of the play Othello uses lovely fair language and

by the end he becomes crude and impulsive. Lines such as, “O misery!”(III.iii.53) and

“Ha!”(III.iii.53) exemplifies his short words and lack of thought.

 ● Additionally, Othello’s lines begin to show repetition of Iago and take on Iago’s beliefs.

“Iago. Honest, my lord!

Othello. Honest! ay, honest.” (III.iii.51)

To readers it is now evident that Othello looks to Iago to name his emotions and will

believe the pestilence Iago pours into his ear.

9.) What does Othello say to indicate that he does NOT want to believe Iago
without “ocular” evidence? (REMEMBER THE WORD “SEE” and Yena’s excellent
question in period one about “ocular” evidence as well?) (p. 1410)
When Othello announces to Iago that he needs to see physical evidence, he begins by

first calling him a villain, which is a profane thing to call somebody. From there, he tells Iago,

“be sure thou prove my love a whore, / Be sure of it, give me the ocular proof” (3.3.360). Othello

directly tells Iago that before he accuses Desdemona of being unfaithful towards him, he needs

to see physical evidence that shows Desdemona abandoned their relationship. By requesting

physical evidence for her infidelity, this shows how Othello does not fully trust Iago. He does not

want to believe Iago, because this would break the bubble of the perfect world Othello has just

created with Desdemona.

10.) How does Iago manipulate Othello after he hears that Othello won’t believe
in ‘inference’? Cite THREE examples; specifically focus on pages (Abstract edition)
1410-1412; 1416/lines __________. (6 pts.)
● After hearing that Othello won’t believe in inference, Iago plants the idea in Othello’s

head that the women of Venice “do let Heaven see the pranks / They dare not show their

husbands” (III.iii.203-204). He needs Othello to think that all women in Venice cheat on

their husbands all the time and only care about keeping it a secret so that he will be more

suspicious of Desdemona, the only woman in the play from Venice. Once Othello believes

this, it is easier for Iago to manipulate Othello into seeing Desdemona as a cheater. This
 way, Othello will assume they are having an affair when “[observing] her with Cassio”

when they talk (III.iii.198).

● Another way Iago manipulates Othello is by putting Othello down for being black and

older than Desdemona, ultimately breaking his ego. Iago tells Othello that he doesn’t

match Desdemona’s “clime, complexion, and degree”, and that she didn’t choose a

partner that fits and follows her nature (III.iii.231). He tells Othello that Desdemona will

eventually realize what a horrible decision she made by falling in love with Othello and

“happily repent” (III.iii.239).

● Since Othello won’t believe Iago’s guesses and claims without more evidence, Othello

demands Iago to provide “ocular proof” of Desdemona and Cassio’s affair (III.iii.362).

Iago has planned to get Desdemona’s handkerchief to have physical proof of their affair.

The readers later find out that he has told Emilia to steal the handkerchief for him to

plant it in Cassio’s drawers so Othello will have official evidence that they are sleeping

together.

11.) What is a new element of Iago’s plan? (p. 1414)

One new element of Iago’s plan is the introduction of the handkerchief that Othello had

once given Desdemona. This handkerchief not only stands as a symbol of fidelity to their new

and blooming relationship, but by gifting this handkerchief to Desdemona, Othello promises to

stay true to Desdemona, hoping that she will do the same. When Desdemona tries to heal

Othello’s forehead pain with this handkerchief, “he puts the handkerchief from him, and it

drops” (3.3.289). When Emilia, Iago’s wife, discovers this handkerchief, she knows Desdemona
will be heartbroken if it is gone, but gives it to her rotten husband anyways. From here, Iago

plans he “will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin, / And let him find it” (3.3.322). With this

handkerchief Iago now has physical proof of Desdemona’s disloyalty, and can prove to Othello

that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona.

12.) To what does Othello say in his infamous “farewell” monologue? What’s
happening to the stability of his personal life? (4 pts.)
● · When he bids, “Farewell the tranquil mind,” “content,” and “[his] occupation,” Othello

specifically targets his sanity and how much Desdemona’s supposed-affair is degrading

his logic (III.iii.356-369). Iago’s influence drives Othello to the brink of madness where

Othello admits he would have been satiated without knowing about Desdemona’s

supposed affair. Because he constantly thinks about it, Othello finds himself damning

how much it is twisting his sense of trust and thus, lets it go because it drives him to the

point where he feels he is better off without it.

● · Othello also bids farewell to the logic that drives morale men, specifically soldiers, as

Othello bellows to the “plumed troops and the big wars / That makes ambition virtue”

(III.iii.358-360). Essentially, Othello forgoes what he considers to be an internal conflict,

the thought of Desdemona’s infidelity, so that he may find some category of peace within

himself.

13.) What animal imagery does Iago use to describe Desdemona and Cassio’s
alleged affair?
 Iago describes the affair through: goats, monkeys, and wolves. All of these animals are

examples of wild, undomesticated creatures which are intentionally used to specify Iago’s

twisted perception of Desdemona and Cassio’s affair. Iago believes the affair to be revolting and

places Desdemona and Cassio underneath humane perception, portraying them as animals

instead.

14.) Discuss the state of the TWO marriages at the end of this scene. (4 pts.)
· Othello and Desdemona’s:
By the end of Scene III, Othello and Desdemona’s marriage is already over. Iago has

manipulated Othello into hating Desdemona, although Othello remains to have conflicted

feelings. Iago feeds Othello with lies of Cassio wiping his beard with Desdemona’s handkerchief

that was gifted to her by Othello. After being told this, Othello expresses that “[all his] fond love

thus [does he] blow to Heaven-- / ‘Tis gone” and he replaces his love with “black Vengeance”

(III,iii, 446-447). Othello has no trust in Desdemona anymore and instead puts all his trust into

Iago. This vengeance that arises in Othello leads him to plan on killing Desdemona.

· Othello and Iago’s (no—I did NOT make a mistake, here):

Othello and Iago’s marriage has grown stronger and stronger by the end of this scene.

Othello full trust in Iago blinds him of being reasonable about his failing marriage with

Desdemona. They make promises to each other that Othello believes they will keep, including

them agreeing to make sure “that Cassio’s not alive” at the end of this conflict (III.iii.474). Iago

is getting exactly what he wants out of their relationship: complete destruction and chaos. Iago

continues to manipulate and lie to Othello, making it a strong, but one-sided marriage.
15.) AT the end of the scene, we learn TWO PIECES OF HORRIFYING
INFORMATION. What are they? Don’t forget to USE TEXT for your support. (4
pts.)

● Readers learn that Othello is planning to kill Cassio for his alleged affair with

Desdemona. Neither Iago or Othello hold any remorse for planning to kill Cassio, unlike

with Desdemona. “O, that the slave had forty thousand lives,- One is too poor, too weak

for my revenge!”(III.iii. 63) Othello has no guilt for planning to kill Cassio and calls him

a “slave” and stating that only killing him once is not enough for him. This pure hatred

taints Othello’s logic and proves Othello is too far gone.

● We also learn that while Othello is not only planning to kill Cassio, he also is going to

murder Desdemona. Shockingly Iago asks for Desdemona not to be killed, but is

dismissed by Othello as he is fueled by rage. “To furnish me with some swift means of

death For the fair devil.”(III.iii.63) Even his his fit of rage Othello still manages to

describe Desdemona with kind language such as “fair”, this contradiction shows the

conflict Othello has about killing her.

ACT III, scene iv:

16.) Again, why has Shakespeare included a clown?
Once again, Shakespeare has included a clown in order to provide comedic relief in the

play. Following the seriously troubling information and drama that is exposed to the audience,

Shakespeare included the character of the clown to give the audience a break from the madness.

17.) What body part does Othello 9) incessantly (constantly) focus on in his
interaction with Desdemona? Why?
 Othello continually mentions hands during his interaction with Desdemona. Othello

grabs Desdemona saying, “Give me your hand. This hand is moist, my lady” (3.4.30). In the time

when Shakespeare was written, a moist hand symbolized sexual desire. The hot hand symbolizes

Desdomona’s rumored infidelity. Othello then says that Desdemona has “a liberal hand” and

that “the hearts of old gave hands, / But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts” (3.4.40-41).

Othello claims that Desdemona is too generous with her hand, further demonstrating how

Othello truly believes the lies Iago has told him. Othello then explains that people used to give

their hands with their hearts, devoting themselves to the person they love. But now, says people

only give hands, even without love, basically accusing Desdemona of marrying him without truly

loving him.

18.) What is the STRUCTURAL PURPOSE of the Egyptian tale told to Othello’s
mother? (p. 1421)--MAKE SURE YOU ASK ME ABOUT THIS QUESTION BEFORE
YOU TURN IN YOUR ASSIGNMENT!

Shakespeare places this story about the handkerchief here so that Desdemona would

know how important the handkerchief is to Othello in their marriage, causing her to want to find

it to prove that she is still in love with Othello. The tale claims that if the wife “lost it, / Or made

gift of it, [the husband’s] eye / Should hold her loathed” and he would go find a new woman

(III.iv.54-56). Not only would this make Desdemona desperate to prove the realness of her love,

but it was also placed soon after Iago tells Othello that Cassio wiped his beard with this

handkerchief. This meant that if Desdemona did not show Othello the handkerchief, it would

drive him further into madness and vengeance. Othello sees this as another reason to believe

Iago's lies.

19.) What question does Othello keep repeating to Desdemona over and over
again?
 Othello repetitively asks Desdemona to show him the handkerchief that symbolizes the

start of their marriage and Othello's promise to his mother. While Desdemona tries to stall her

husband, Othello concurrently screams, "[t]he handkerchief!" heightening the stressful situation

instead of easing it (III.iii.85-89). Not only does this continue to aggravate the impatient

Othello, Desdemona is furthering Iago's plan to separate them because the handkerchief

represents Othello and Desdemona's trust in one another, and if she doesn't have it, then

Othello has no other option then to assume she is cheating. The only reason this handkerchief is

causing trouble is of course because of Iago, who unfortunately has had a successful plan thus

far. By Othello continuously asking about the handkerchief, the audience can see his distress

and disbelief about Desdemona, and her abandonment of their relationship.

20.) What does his 10) unwavering (continuing in a strong and steady way)
repetition tell you about him at this point?

Othello’s unwavering speech exhibits how he is losing his rationalism at a rapid pace.

Othello is becoming unhinged and is convinced Desdemona is having an affair later leading him

to murder her. By repeatedly asking about the handkerchief it reveals how Othello holds the

ocular evidence to great importance, and will take the evidence over Desdemona’s honesty and

belief. Othello speaks about Desdemona in a disrespectful manner using crude language, “Damn

her, lewd minx! O, damn her!” (III.iii.63) This evidence proves he is beginning to trust Iago

more than Desdemona and their marriage has already crumbled allowing readers to predict how

their marriage will be.

21.) Desdemona responds to his 11) query (question) in several ways. How does
each reply get her into more trouble in Othello’s mind?
22.) Why do you think Emilia does not tell Desdemona the location of the
handkerchief (Think back to her ‘weakness’)?

Emilia does not tell Desdemona the location of the handkerchief due to her duty to her

husband, Iago, and the patriarchy. Emilia is also unaware of Iago’s masterful plan leading her to

be confused about the purpose her husband has with the handkerchief. “ DESDEMONA. Where

should I lose that handkerchief, Emilia? EMILIA. I know not, madam.” (III.iv.65) Ultimately

Emilia still serves the patriarchy and does not share the truth with Desdemona regarding her

handkerchief, as her husband is the one who took it.

23.) What does Desdemona mean when she tells Cassio, “My lord is not my lord,
nor should I know him”? (p. 1423)

When Desdemona shares with Cassio that, “My lord is not my lord, nor should I know

him”(p.1423), she states that Othello is no longer the man she fell in love with, therefore saying

he is a stranger to her. The second part of Desdemona’s line, “...nor should I know him” displays

to readers how Desdemona does not wish to know the new version of Othello due to her distaste

of him.

24.) What do Desdemona and Emilia both say about the 12) entity (an independent,
separate, or self-contained existence) of jealousy?
Emilia echoes the words of her husband, Iago, when talking about jealousy with

Desdemona, describing it as “a monster” (III.iv.155). Both Desdemona and Emilia believe

jealousy is personified into a deadly monster that continues to grow and develop as time passes.

They both agree jealousy is a negative emotion as they pray that jealousy will not be found in

Othello’s mind.

25.) How does Cassio treat Bianca at the end of this act?
 Cassio treats Bianca rudely and poorly due to his disregard towards Bianca and her

feelings. Cassio has a double-sided relationship with Biance as he alternates between calling her

“fair” and “sweet love” whilst simultaneously commanding her to, “ Take me this work out.” (III.

IV.70) This command is disrespectful due to their lack of emotional relationship, and Cassio’s

objectification of Bianca. He only talks with kind language to Bianca so she will sleep with him,

so his feelings and words are not genuine.

26.) What is more important to Cassio: Bianca or his reputation? Only students
who remember Iago’s description of Cassio in I: iii AND students who read VERY
CLOSELY will be able to 13) astutely (mentally sharp or clever) and accurately
answer this question. Please be ‘those students’ in your deduction. Be sure you
can support your answer with TEXT.
Cassio’s reputation is more important to him than Bianca. He exposes this as he talks to

Bianca and tells her to leave because he “[thinks] it no addition, nor [his] wish / To have

[Othello] see [Cassio] womened” (III.iv.187-188). After what had happened with Othello seeing

him drunk and taking away Cassio’s position, Cassio finds it most important to not be seen with

any women. He wants to make sure Othello doesn’t think he is distracted by Bianca or any

women in general from his occupation. This doesn’t actually help Cassio get on better terms with

Othello because Othello thinks he’s sleeping with his wife.