Act III, Scenes ii & iii

1. Act III, Scenes ii & iii

2. Is Emilia part of Iago’s plot, or does she truly believe that Iago is saddened by what happened to Cassio? So far, there has been nothing to suggest that Emilia is aware of Iago’s plans. Like everyone else, she is fooled by Iago’s act.

3. Cassio knows he is going to get his job back, so what worries him now? By being absent from the job, Cassio fears he may lose Othello’s favor (loyalty).

4. For what two reasons does Desdemona agree to plead Cassio’s case? Desdemona agrees because: Cassio asked her. She thinks she would be doing her husband a favor by reuniting the two long-time friends.

5. What is Iago referring to when he says, “Ha, I like not that”? As Iago and Othello walk toward Desdemona, Iago sees Cassio slip away. Again, Iago uses this for his own purpose.

6. Desdemona pleads Cassio’s case, and Othello agrees to reinstate him. What happens next? Othello asks Desdemona to leave him alone for a short time, so she leaves. Iago now has time to work on planting the seed of jealousy in Othello.

7. After Othello repeatedly urges Iago to tell him what is 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? Before Othello will get jealous, he will have to see some proof of Desdemona’s infidelity.

8. What does Iago say about women of Venice? Iago says that women of Venice allow the gods to see things that they dare not show their husbands. In other words, Iago is saying that infidelity among Venetian women is very common.

9. Why might Othello be inclined to believe this or, at least, not dismiss it immediately? Othello is a foreigner and someone who, because he has spent most of his life in the army, is not familiar with the ways of women.

10. Who echoes Brabantio’s earlier warning to Othello? Iago reminds Othello that Desdemona deceived her father when she married Othello. She also appeared frightened by Othello’s tales of war but in actuality was in love with him.

11. In his duplicitous (two-faced) fashion, what bold statement does Iago make about Desdemona and Othello? Iago claims to fear that Desdemona may compare Othello to some of her handsome, young countrymen and regret having married him.

12. Desdemona’s handkerchief becomes an important piece of stage business. Why did Desdemona produce it? What happens to it? What does Emilia plan to do with it? Finally, who gets it, and what is to be done with it? Desdemona tries to place the handkerchief on Othello’s head (he has a headache), but he brushes it off, letting it fall on the floor. Emilia picks it up, saying that Iago has asked her to steal it. She gives it to Iago. Iago plans to plant it in Cassio’s room as proof of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness.

13. Othello returns and is very upset at this point. What warning does he give Iago? Othello warns Iago that he needs to be able to prove what he said about Desdemona or he will be no better than if he had been “born a dog.”

14. What proof of Desdemona’s disloyalty does Iago give Othello? Iago says that one night (presumably while sharing guard duty), he shared a bed with Cassio. Cassio talked in his sleep and even kissed Iago hard on the lips, thinking Iago was Desdemona.

15. What is Iago’s final proof? Iago saw Cassio wipe his face with the handkerchief that Othello had given Desdemona.

16. At this point, what is Othello’s mood? Othello is enraged and calling for Desdemona’s blood. Othello’s character: Passion/emotion has taken over reason/intellect

17. Othello makes Iago his lieutenant. What task is Iago to perform? Within three days, Iago is to kill Cassio.