Extract question

Extract question

This scene is significant in Othello's tragedy overall as Iago can be seen plotting Othello's downfall. Through his aside we can see Iago as he realises that Cassio and Desdemona can be used to manipulate Othello. Shakespeare uses imagery to describe Iago's plan 'with as little a web as this I will ensnare as great a fly as Cassio'. This is significant because this formation of a plan will have great consequences throughout the rest of the play. Here Shakespeare also presents Iago's motive for involving Cassio in his plan. Iago explains he wants Cassio's position. He says: 'strip you out of you lieutenatry'. This extract reveals how Iago is not as loyal and honest as he first seems, the audience learn he is cunning, jealous and evil.





The setting of this extract also has a significant role to the play as a whole as it shows how important and well respected Othello is. When Othello arrives 'trumpets' are played. The use of this music demonstrates Othello's high magnitude, as his arrival is announced for everyone to hear. Shakespeare therefore presents Othello as having traits for being an ideal tragic hero in a classic tragedy as Aristotle said a tragic hero must be of great importance. The trumpets show the audience that he fits this role. However, in this extract Shakespeare also contradicts Aristotle's opinion on how a classic tragedy should be written.  This is done through the setting as it changes from Venice to Cyprus. This goes against the three unities, which suggests the setting should be the same throughout the whole play. This is significant as Cyprus is less orderly then Venice, which could influence the characters behaviour and opinions.


Othello's behaviour in this extract is very significant as he is presented to strongly love Desdemona. This is displayed when he speaks to her, he says 'it gives me wonder as great as my content to see you here before me'. His love for Desdemona is clearly presented to the audience here. This is significant as we can understand how happy Desdemona makes Othello, which makes the loss of his love and happiness more tragic later on in the play.
In addition, Othello's behaviour prior to this scene has been calm. This calm nature combined with  his current happiness is significant as the audience can follow the change in his temperament throughout the play, the more he is lied to by Iago.


Iago carries a significant role in this extract as the audience learn more about his character. His aside reveals additional motives for his plan. As well as how he will create Othello downfall. The audience learn that Iago is a Machiavellian character. This characteristic engages the audience in the development of his plot. This opinion is supported by Sean McEvoy who said 'the audience becomes complicit in Iago's intention and, like it or not, is soon involved in his vengeful plotting'. Further evidence of Iago's Machiavellian character can be seen through his lies. He says 'as honest as I am'. This is dramatic irony as all of the other characters believe that this is true but the audience understands, though his asides, that he is deceitful.


This scene has several moods. Firstly Othello and Desdemona create a joyful atmosphere as they reunite with one another after their journey. The audience can see how happy they are to be together. However there is always the presences of Iago on stage with them which reminds the audience of the tragic villain who will effect the future for the characters who are both so happy right now. This can be seen when after Othello and Desdemona kiss, Iago says in another aside 'o, you are well tun'd now; but i'll set down the pegs that makes this music'. This metaphorically foreshadows the issues which are to come. Overall this reminder of happiness and evil makes the audience feel pity for Othello. This contributes the catharsis feeling at the end of the play.


Desdemona and Cassio are used in this extract to show how Iago's plan, to create the appearance of an affair between Desdemona and Cassio, could work. Iago changes Cassio's charm into something that he can use against them both. This is significant as this is the beginning of Iago's manipulation round Desdeona and Cassio. The audience are made aware that Cassio has a charming and polite nature which later results to the final tragedy of many deaths. Shakespere may be implying that this would be Cassio's fatal flaw or his hubris; if he was to have one.


Lastly in this extract Iago does not really interact with any of the other characters. This has its own significance as despite not interacting he is always present and observes the behaviour of the characters around him. His observation is important as through this he realises how he can use the interaction between Cassio and Desdemona as a way to influence Othello's downfall. As Othello is so reliant on him, and Iago is aware of this, he knows he will be able to manipulate Othello so that innocent situations appear suspicious.

Scene 3

For what two reasons does Desdemona agree to plead Cassio's case?
Because Cassio and Othello are close friends and have known each other a long time: 'you do love my lord, you have known him long.'
And because he helped Othello and Desdemoa to get together: 'Michael Cassio that came a-wooing with you'

What is Iago referring to when he says, "Ha! I like not that."

He means that he does not like the look of Desdemona and Cassio talking to one another, he implies there is something suspicious going on.

After Othello repeatedly urges Iago to tell him what's on his mind, Iago says "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;/It is the green eyed monster, which doth mock / The meat it feeds on." What is Othello's response? What does he want from Iago?

Othello responds with 'o misery' which suggests he starts to fall out of love with Desdemona as he thinks he knows shes been having an affair. Othello wants Iago's help and information.

What does Iago say about the women of Venice?

Iago says that 'they do let God see the pranks, they dare not show their husbands' suggesting that in Venice affairs like this are common and many Venetian cheat on their husbands but do not tell their husbands he truth.

What contextual evidence do we have to support Iago's views of Venetian women?

Venetian women had a reputation of being 'unfaithful to their husbands'. This idea is taken from Robert Burton, Anatomy of Melancholy.

Why might this cause Othello to believe this or, at least, not dismiss it immediately?

Othello is an outsider and views himself that way. Because of this he believes Iago's ideas about society are more reliable than his own.

Who echoes Brabantio's earlier warning to Othello?

Iago when he says 'she did deceive her father, marrying you'. highlighting to Othello that she is capale of being deceitful.

In his duplicitous fashion, what bold statement does Iago make about Desdemona and Othello?
 

Desdemona's handkerchief becomes an important piece of stage business. Why did Desdemona produce it? What happens to it? What might this symbolise? What happens to it? What does Emilia plan to do with it?

Desdemona produces her handkerchief to use as a bandage for Othello, who is complaining of a headache. Othello rejects the handkerchief, saying 'your napkin is too little', and it falls to the floor. This my symbolize the way that Desdemona's love is not enough for Othello. Othello and Desdemona leave it on the floor. Emilia then picks it up and plans to give it to Iago, as she knows that he wants it; She does not know why.

What do you think motivates Emilia to take the handkerchief to Iago?
Emilia believes her relationship with Iago will be better and more romantic if she gives the handkerchief to him. She believes Iago will give the handkerchief to her. 

 

What does Iago plan to do with the handkerchief?

Iago plans to leave the handkerchief in Cassio's room so that it will look like Desdemona gave it to him.

When Othello returns to the scene upset, what warning does he give Iago?
Othello warns Iago that if he has lied or cannot provide proof of Desdemona's cheating he will kill him.

 

What 'proof' of Desdemona's disloyalty does Iago give Othello?

His final proof is that one night when he was sleeping by Cassio he spoke of his affair with  Desdemona 'sweet Desdemona...let us hide our loves', and also tells Othello how Cassio 'laid his leg over my thigh, and sighed and kissed'.

What is Iago's final 'proof'?
Iago's final proof is that he saw 'Cassio wipe his beard' on the handkerchief Othello gave to Desdemona.

 

What is noticeable about Othello's language in this scene?  
Othello's speeches get shorter throughout the scene. He also becomes increasingly distressed and you can see him failing out of love for Desdemona 'loathe her. O curse of marriage'.