OTHELLO Act III Questions
3.1-3.2
1. Dramatic irony occurs “when the words and actions of the characters of a work of literature have a different meaning for the reader than they do for the characters. This is the result of the reader having a greater knowledge than the characters themselves.” Find and record an example of dramatic irony from Othello 3.1.
2. What information does Iago’s wife, Emilia, reveal to Cassio?
3. What purpose does each of these scenes serve?
3.3 (lines 1-245)
1. As readers, we have additional information that most characters do not. Find and record all examples of dramatic irony from 3.3, lines 1-245.
2. Summarize Desdemona and Cassio’s conversation.
3. Why is Cassio afraid that Othello will not reinstate him as lieutenant without Desdemona’s assistance?
4. How does Iago begin his scheme against Cassio in this scene?
5. Paraphrase Desdemona’s statement from lines 77-83.
6. What do you think Othello means when he says “I do love thee; and when I love thee not,/ Chaos is come again” (3.3, 91-92)?
7. Using the handout on ‘How to address the ‘Significance of’ Questions”, discuss the significance of lines 167-172 in a well-developed paragraph.
8. What is Othello’s initial reaction to Iago’s suspicions?
9. What change in Othello is evident in lines 240-243? Why might this change be significant?
3.3 (lines 245-480)
1. Paraphrase (write in your own words) lines 244-255.
2. List all examples of dramatic irony from the remainder of this scene. Remember to include line numbers.
3. Read Othello’s soliloquy (lines 260-281):
a) What is the main idea of this soliloquy?
b) Identify and explain one metaphor or simile in the passage. What two things are being compared and why?
4. What does Emilia reveal when Desdemona and Othello leave?
5. Why did Iago want Emilia to steal the handkerchief?
6. Why is Othello angry with Iago?
7. Irony (not dramatic irony specifically) occurs “when the LITERAL meaning of words is different or opposite to the INTENDED OR APPARENT meaning.” Explain why Iago’s remarks in lines 376-381 and 392-394 are ironic. What is his purpose in uttering these statements?
8. What ‘proof’ of Desdemona’s infidelity does Iago offer to Othello?
9. Does Othello break the ‘Great Chain of Being’ in this scene or support it? Give a quotation as specific evidence to support your claim.
10. What request does Othello make of Iago?
11. What does Iago request of Othello?
12. How has Iago succeeded in breaking ‘Great Chain of Being’ in this scene?
13. How does coincidence help Iago in his plans to ruin Othello?
Imagery:
Shakespeare uses a lot of animal imagery, monster imagery, garden/plant imagery and eye/vision imagery in Othello. Identify three images from Act III that fit these motifs and explain them:
Quotation(with scene and line numbers) /