English Literature: BIG question

Reflect on Act 3 scene 3 so far. Do you think Iago is an opportunist or a strategist? You must give reasons for your response, with quotations from the play to support your opinion. 


I believe that Iago is an opportunist, as Emilia provides him with a small item that can make such a big difference in Iago's hands. the handkerchief she gives him allows Iago to provide 'proof' for Othello that his wife is cheating on him. When Iago and Othello talk, Iago plants seeds in his head when Cassio and Desdemona are talking he says ' ha, I like not that' he gives Othello the impression that something is going on and there is reason to be suspicious. When Othello asks him about it, Iago replies with 'Nothing' this is a crude reference as back in the Shakespearean times it meant that they were having sexual relations. After this conversation of Othello denying that she would cheat as he says 'she had eyes and chose me. No Iago, I'll see before I doubt, when I doubt, prove.' this gives Iago's next plan as Othello has told Iago what he must do to make him believe. this links back to the fact Emilia gives Iago the handkerchief thinking she will receive affection and sexual gratification in return, but she has just aided to Iago's evil plan to destroy Othello.

English Literature: Othello Act 3 Scene 3 questions.

Scene 3:

For what two reasons does Desdemona agree to plead Cassio's case?

She wants to get them back to being best friends and she believes he is good at his job so that’s why she will try to persuade Othello to give Cassio his job back.

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

Iago gives the impression that he should not being saying something and he is holding back important information.

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 wants to know what Iago is holding back and why he keeps inferring that his wife is a cheat and this just winds up Othello more as it just makes Iago appear innocent and Desdemona even more guilty.

What does Iago say about the women of Venice?

Iago says that women of Venice only go for men who are of their own ‘clime, complexion and degree’ this is Iago saying how not in any way is Othello suited to her because he is not of the same age, skin colour or social class as Desdemona.

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

Venetian women were seen to be prostitutes and even married women are said to sleep around with any man that they can get their hands on.

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

Othello has always worried that their age gap may affect things, but I believe that he just doesn’t want to believe that his wife would even cheat on him, let alone before he knows the reasons behind it.

Who echoes Brabantio's earlier warning to Othello?

Iago warned Othello that just like back in Venice, Desdemona had deceived her father with Othello, so there’s reason she may do it to Othello with another man. 

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 the handkerchief as Othello gets a headache and she want to make him feel better, as they believed that helped headaches. When Othello says it’s too small, inferring that her love is not enough, she drops it and doesn’t realise. This could symbolise their loss of love. Emilia finds it and picks it up as she knows Iago wants it, she doesn’t know what he plans  do with it, but she thinks she may receive sexual gratification in return.

What does Iago plan to do with the handkerchief?

Iago wishes to plant it in Cassio’s bedroom so that Othello can see him with it and start to believe that his wife is cheating on him with his second man.

When Othello returns to the scene upset, what warning does he give Iago?

He indicates to Iago that he is angry and believes that what Iago has told him is false information. He takes it out on Iago because he is confused and doesn’t know what to believe as he trusts Iago but prays that his wife hasn’t cheated on him either.

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

Iago’s ‘proof’ is that when they were asleep together, Iago couldn’t sleep and heard Cassio talking in his sleep saying to Desdemona that they must hide their love, as Cassio started kissing Iago’s hand and humping his leg as if it was Desdemona. 

What is Iago's final 'proof'?

Cassio wiping his beard on the strawberry handkerchief as it was an ordinary napkin and worthless.

What is noticeable about Othello's language in this scene? 

It becomes mono-syllabic when talking with Iago, until he produces a massive speech on how he now believes that Desdemona has cheated on him and he is heartbroken and insults her.