Othello Act III
Scene Summaries
Scene 1 / Scene II / Scene III / Scene IVa) Othello asks for “ocular proof” 3.3.361. What does he mean by this?
b) 3.3.287 What does Desdemona attempt to use her handkerchief for?
c) 3.3. How does Iago get his hands on Desdemona’s handkerchief
d) 3.4 What is the history of the handkerchief (why would Othello care about its whereabouts?
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 (3.3.160).
Explain the irony of this statement when we consider Iago’s treatment of Cassio and Desdemona?
b) O beware, my lord, of jealousy: it is the green-eyed monster (3.3.167)
What is meant by this statement? What motivations could Iago have in advising Othello to avoid this so called “monster”?
c) She did deceive her father, marrying you and when she seem’d to shake and fear your looks she lov’d them most (3.3.208)
d) curse of marriage that we can call these delicate creatures ours and not their appetitites!(3.3.270)
How does the quote above demonstrate Othello’s increasing distrust for his wife?
e) During Scene 3, Iago begins to see the fruit of his efforts to poison Othello’s marriage. Find a line of evidence that demonstrates the change in Othello (not one of the quotes selected for this worksheet)
f) I am sure it was your wife’s – did I today see Cassio wipe his beard with. (3.3.439)
g) Within these three days let me hear thee say that Cassio ‘s not alive. (3.3.473)
h) To lose’t or give’t away were such perdition as nothing else could match (3.4.63)
i) 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.
Theme: Use the following source to complete the activities.
1. Analyze the source, 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?
3. How can this source be related to the storyline in Othello? Compose a SEE paragraph that utilizes specific evidence to establish a similarity between this story, and Othello.