Othello Act 3 Scene 3 & 4

Act 3 Scene 3:

Summary:

     Desdemona, Emilia, and Cassio meet in the castle garden.After Iago and Othello arrived, Cassio runs off because he ashamed his earlier behavior, tries to avoid speaking with Othello, and Iago suggests Cassio's hasty exit is suspicious. Desdemona request Othello to call Cassio back and set a certain time to meet him, and give him a hope of reinstatement. At the beginning, Othello refuses to meet Cassio, but when Desdemona persists, he does agree to see Cassio. When Cassio with Othello alone, he creates an imagine about Desdemona's innocence, and Iago convinces Othello to believe his blandishments, let him falls into his jealousy. Othello demands Iago to show him a proof, and Iago suggests him to watch Desdemona with Cassio. Othello against Desdemona's innocence, Iago says that he should not so indiscreet to give Cassio back his lieutenant, then he can observe what is going on between Desdemona Cassio. When Desdemona enters and Othello complains his headache, she offers a handkerchief to wrap Othello's head. Othello refuses the handkerchief because he thinks handkerchief is too small, and it falls down to the ground. Emilia enters and she picks up the handkerchief and plans to copy it and give his husband, though she does not know why her husband wants this handkerchief.  Then Iago enters and takes the copy of handkerchief from Emilia, then he plants it into Cassio's house. Othello re-enters, he threatens Iago with death if he does not show him a solid proof of Desdemona's unfaithfulness. Iago says that he overheard Cassio talking in his sleep about having sex with Desdemona. Now Othello becomes enraged and he promises to kill his wife for her infidelity, he demands Cassio should be killed within three days. And he talks to Iago he is his(Othello's) lieutenant now.

Personal reaction:

     In this part, the handkerchief represents themes of love and fidelity. The handkerchief is the first gift Desdemona gets from Othello, it reveals Desdemona's love. Othello has said the handkerchief he gets from his mother, his mother uses it to keep his father be faithful to his mother. The theme of loyalty is shown by the handkerchief. 

Prediction:

        Iago already got the lieutenant, why he keeps executing his plan?

        The other parts of Iago's plan are revenge to Othello, he has doubted Othello slept with Emilia. 

Question:

  

1. How are Desdemona’s words in lines 31-32 ironic?

             In line 31-32, Desdemona shows her total confidence of Othello being not suspicious to her. But later on, it is revealed that Othello doubts Desdemona’s fidelity even without confirming the evidence he was given. This is how ironic Desdemona’s words are.

2. Compare Desdemona and Emilia’s views on men. Specifically look at lines 120-123 and lines161-175. How are they the same? How do they differ? Emilia and Desdemona hold similar viewpoints on pleasing their husbands. However, Emilia’s cynical and worldly characteristic are revealed from her words clearly. Through the words in lines 120-123, Emilia uses metaphor to compare men to stomachs and women to food. What she means is that men exploits women and do not take responsibility for them afterward. Emilia does not believe in pure love between men and women. Comparing with Emilia, Desdemona is more idealistic and naive in terms of love relationship, specifically marriage. She makes excuses for her husband’s unreasonable irritation. She states that “We cannot expect men to be perfect”, “maybe I say to harshly on him”. This is how Desdemona loves Othello, affectionately but not wisely.

3. Describe the emotional cycle Othello experiences once Iago suggests Desdemona is cheating on him.

Due to Othello very loves Desdemona, and Desdemona loves him so much. Othello can not believe that Desdemona is not faithful. Though he represents himself such a very confident man and he seem to trust his wife. In fact, the seed of doubt budded in his heart,  a skeptical emotion grows in his mind. Othello becomes hesitated and whiny, he does not know who he should trust, he loves his wife but he can not take away his doubtful idea from his mind. In his view, Iago is a fidelity person but he does not show Othello a solid evidence, which can prove Desdemona’s disloyalty.

4. Why must Iago take his time to convince Othello about Desdemona and Cassio?

Framed Cassio and Desdemona are the part of Iago’s plan. If Iago wants to get the lieutenant,  he has to deprive Othello’s trust of Cassio and let Othello dismisses Cassio. In addition, Iago has doubted Othello has slept his wife, he wants to revenge, convince Desdemona and Cassio is the best way to attach his goal.

5. Explain the importance of Desdemona’s handkerchief (to the play).

The handkerchief is the first gift Othello gives to Desdemona. Othello gets the handkerchief from his mother, he says his mother uses this handkerchief to keep his father faithful to her. The handkerchief is the symbol of the fidelity between couples. In addition, the handkerchief symbolizes Desdemona’s loyalty and purity, she loses the handkerchief represents she is unfidelity to Othello. The loss of handkerchief induces Othello not trust Desdemona anymore, it is a  very important event which results in Desdemona’s death.

Act 3 Scene 4

Summary:

          Desdemona asks Clown to find Cassio, she keeps working on help Cassio restates his position, She tells Emilia she is very concerned about her loss of the handkerchief because she scares that Othello might be sad of its disappearance. When Othello asks her for the handkerchief, she is feared and kind of angry because she lost it unconsciously and she can not deny the fact that she lost it. Then Cassio and Iago enter, Iago insists that Desdemona is the only hope which can help Cassio restate his lieutenant, Cassio is convinced and begs Desdemona again to help him. However, Desdemona tells Cassio her husband seems ranged and crazy, and Iago pretends to concern Othello and decides to find him. Then Bianca enters, Cassio's mistress. Bianca finds Desdemona's handkerchief in the chamber, she asks what it from and she feels jealous. Cassio says he does not know and demands Bianca keeps this handkerchief and does not give it back. His action makes Bianca jealous even though Cassio denies any involvement with another woman.

Personal reaction:

       The theme of jealousy is shown in this scene. Bianca is Cassio's lover(kind of), she finds other woman's stuff in Cassio's chamber, she is jealous not only because the solid evidence, but also Cassio's attitude inadvertently hurts Bianca's heart. He requests Bianca keeps the handkerchief, Cassio tries to show he is innocent and he has no time to talk with Bianca. The reason is he is waiting for Othello. However, in Bianca's mind, Cassio's attitude shows he does not love her anymore, the theme of jealousy is shown by Bianca.

Prediction:

       In this part, Bianca gets the copy of Desdemona's handkerchief, how the handkerchief influences the plot?
       The handkerchief is the symbol of Desdemona's faithfulness and purity, it also importants for Othello, it reveals the love between Othello and Desdemona. Bianca finds the handkerchief in Cassio's room means that Cassio may love with Desdemona, Bianca will be jealous.The loss of handkerchief may induce Desdemona's death. 

Act 2 Scene 3 Act 3 Scene 1 & 2

Act 2 Scene 3

Summary:

      At night, Iago convinces Cassio that they should share a wine with Cypriots who wants to celebrate Othello health, even though Cassio knows he has had enough to drink. Cassio becomes drunk quickly, and after he left, Iago frames Cassio as a heavy alcoholic, and he tells Cassio's condition to Montano, who becomes very concerned about Othello's lieutenant. Montano thinks he should report this problem to general, all of sudden, Cassio appeared again, he was chasing Roderigo, whom he then attacks violently. Montano tries to stop them, but Cassio attacks and hurts him. Othello is awakened by the noise, he arrives and stops the fighting, Othello is very upset by the quarrel and demands to know how it happened. Iago describes the events reluctantly. He implicates Cassio as the instigator. Othello chooses to trust Iago, he dismisses Cassio's commission as his lieutenant. Cassio is destroyed by this sudden change of fortune, and Iago suggests him that the best way to restate his position is by getting Desdemona's help. After Cassio exited, Iago consoles himself he is not evil, he never forced Cassio to do something, he just tempts Cassio to do something. Then he describes his next plan, which is to turn Desdemona's "virtue to pitch". Then Roderigo entered, he tells Iago he already spent all the money and he gave up, he planned to go back Venice. Iago convinces him that he should be patient and Cassio has been beaten, what he only need to do is waiting. At the end of the scene, Iago describes he will arrange a meeting between Cassio and Desdemona and then he will let Othello see this meeting, so that Iago can frame Cassio and Desdemona are secretly lovers. 

                                                                         Cassio

Personal reaction:

        When Cassio talks with Iago, Cassio emphasizes the saddest thing is he lost his reputation, but Iago consoles him the reputation is not important, he can restate his reputation from the general again. It is kind of irony, if Iago does not have enough reputation, how can he influence the general's thinking. If Cassio is not a lieutenant, the general may not suspect him a lot. Reputation is critical factor in the story, but Iago describes reputation as a useless thing, 

Prediction:

         How would Othello's attitude changes in the following story?

         In my mind, according to Iago's plan, Othello may start doubting Desdemona's fidelity and Cassio's loyalty. In another hand, the previous story represents Othello very love Desdemona, his determination seems not vulnerable.Othello will be enraged and distraught because he may struggle into the faithfulness and disloyalty. 

Act Scene 1 & 2

Summary:

     Cassio appears with some musicians outside the castle to honor Othello and Desdemona. A messenger comes out and tells Cassio stopped the music. When Cassio talked with the messenger, he gives messenger some money, asks messenger he wants to obtain Desdemona's assistance, he wants to talk with the woman who takes care of Desdemona, Emilia. Iago enters and promises to Cassio he would find a place that Cassio can speak freely with Emilia. Emilia enters and assures Cassio that he still is a high suspect in Othello's eye. She also says Desdemona is already pleading with Othello to reinstate him. Cassio does not get the opportunity to plead his case directly to Desdemona alone.
         
          Iago taking a message from Othello to the pilot of the ship that is returning to Venice and then arranging to meet the general later on the castle ramparts. 

                                                                       Emilia

Personal reaction:

        The foreshadowing is shown in these acts: Emilia says Cassio that Othello still holds him in high regard. It hints Cassio may not have a chance to explain his case directly to Othello or Desdemona. High regard represents Othello does not trust Cassio, it hints Cassio is hard to be restated. 

Prediction:

   Does Cassio have a chance to see Desdemona?
    In my opinion, Cassio has no chance to see Desdemona directly, because Iago would disturb their meeting, he will convince Othello that the secret love is shown between Desdemona and Cassio. 

Act 2 Scene 1

Act 2 Scene 1:

Summary:

       On the island of Cyprus, Montano, the governor to be replaced by Othello, he was anxious because a terrific storm has started and Othello did not arrive. However, the good news is the attacking Turkish fleet is destroyed, and the ship which carrying Desdemona, Iago, Emilia and Roderigo, and another bearing Cassio have arrived without accident. Then Cassio tells Montano of Othello's marriage, and Desdemona awaits the arrival of her husband anxiously. Iago and Emilia talk some harsh words, and Desdemona defends it before chatting with Cassio. When Othello's ship arrives, Othello and Desdemona express their great happiness at their reunion. Iago, alone with Roderigo, he tells Roderigo that Desdemona already loved with Cassio, to prove that, Iago uses Desdemona and Cassio's conversation as evidence. He also convinces Roderigo to help remove Cassio, so that Cassio would be annoyed and Roderigo will be attacked. Then Iago will get Cassio's statutes and remove Cassio and Roderigo as obstacles.

Personal reaction:
      Love and loyalty are the parts of themes in Act 2 scene 1.Desdemona's loyalty and love are demonstrated by her actions. She awaits her husband anxiously shows she very loves Othello. In addition, When she hears that Cassio and Othello's ships lost contact during the storm she worries, Desdemona again demonstrates her loyalty and love toward her husband. And when Desdemona reunites with Othello, Desdemona's beatific actions and exciting speaking represent her loyalty and love.

Prediction:

   What will happen on Cassio?

    If a fighting happened, Cassio may lose his position, Othello may be enraged and dismiss Cassio because Cassio will interrupt his "pleasure" night. 

15-line-translation:

   I think Cassio really does love Desdemona, and she also loves him too. And I have to admit that he's a reliable, loving and good natured man. I think he will be a good husband of Desdemona. I do love Desdemona too, not only simply out of lust, but also to finish my revenge. I feel someone slept with my wife, that thought keeps gnawing my mind, eating me inside. I can not get the rest until I get even with him, wife for wife. If I failed, at least I put the Moor so jealous that he can not think straight. If that poor trash of Venice, Roderigo, if he can do what I need to carry out my plan, I will be more powerful than Cassio. Then I would say something bad about him to Othello. I also feel Cassio seduces my wife. I will let Othello thanks me, love me, and reward me. For making him egregiously an ass and practicing upon his peace and quiet. I have got a great plan, though I didn't go to the detail yet. You can not predict the end of this evil plan until you see it.

Comparing Iago's soliloquy at the end of 2.1 to his soliloquy in 1.3

  In 1.3, Iago's soliloquy describes the reason why he hates Othello, he suspects Othello has had sex with his wife, Emilia. Then he plans to cheat Roderigo's money, hints to Othello that Cassion is too friendly with Desdemona. If his plan does work, his revenge will be succeeded and he will get the lieutenant. This is Iago's first soliloquy in the whole story, his soliloquy represents his general plan to audiences, it is a foreshadowing of the story, the soliloquy depicts the plot of the following story. Furthermore, this soliloquy advances the plot, Iago's plan, and his action becomes a force to push the story forward. In addition, throughout the soliloquy, Iago's identity has cleared, a villain in this section; deputy of jealousy and conspiracy. 

   In 2.1, Iago's soliloquy talks about his feeling of the plan and the hypothesis of what will happen (See 15-line-translation). Contrasting with the soliloquy in 1.3, Iago reveals a lot of his individual emotion and thinking in his second soliloquy, he does not represent his plan generally, as he says" 'Tis here, but yet confused. Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used." That means though he does not get the detail of the plan, the end of the plan will be very unbelievable. The second soliloquy shows more Iago's personality, not only jealous but also blinkered and nearsighted. What's more, Iago trusts a rumor represents he does not believe his wife, the theme of disloyalty is shown by his second soliloquy. In addition, there are some similar points in these two soliloquy, they both give some hints to audiences, such as the detail of the plan and how Iago seizes Cassio's position (Lieutenant), these information pushes the plot forward and reveals the foreshadowing in the story and establish atmosphere. The difference is that the first soliloquy (1.3) talks more about the plan, it pays more attention to advanced the plot; the second soliloquy (2.1) talks more about Iago's characterization and personality, it focuses more on the development of characters and defining the relationship between characters. 

   In conclusion, Iago seems the main character to move the plot forward, his soliloquy not only guides audiences go deep into the story but also depicts the atmosphere of the story. Though Iago plays a villain in Act 1 and Act 2, there is no doubt that he is the main character to trigger events, which helps the plot moving on. 

Othello: Act 1

Act Scene 1:

Summary:

Othello starts on the streets of Venice, Iago and Roderigo are talking about how to suit to Desdemona, who already was Othello's wife. Roderigo requests Iago to help him wooing Desdemona. But Iago only bring bad news, he tells Roderigo Desdemona has married with Othello and they eloped together. Roderigo is upset and he blames Iago because he already paid the money. Iago reassures that Roderigo hates Othello too, the reason why Iago hates Othello is Othello’s recent promotion of Michael Cassio to the post of lieutenant. Then Iago argues that he does not know the marriage thing and the elopement. He suggested Roderigo that he should tell Desdemona's father of what his daughter has done. They go to her father's house together, distorting some facts of Othello's marriage in order to irritate Desdemona's father, Brabantio. Finally, they succeed in enraging Brabantio, and he demands that Roderigo leads him in an armed search for the newlyweds. 

                                        

Personal reaction:

In the first scene, I think Shakespear wants to present the racism existed in that era. Roderigo envies Othello not only because he suits with Desdemona successfully, Othello is a black man is another reason. What's more, Brabantio still doesn't believe his daughter elopes with Othello because he is a black man who has dark skin and comes from African.

Question:

1. Who are these people? What do we learn about their characters in the first scene?

Roderigo: A rich Venetian gentleman, He is desperate for Desdemona; He is jealous of Othello for having Desdemona and fearful of Desdemona’s father.

Othello: A Morrish general in the Venetian army, African; has dark skin; an eloquent and physically powerful figure; sort of headstrong.

Iago: Othello's standard-bearer, or" ancient".He is a deceitful and jealous man; he and is a racist.

Brabantio: A Venetian senator, father to Desdemona.

Desdemona: A Venetian lady, who has married with Othello.


2.Why is everybody mad at Othello?

Because Iago says Othello has sex with Desdemona and slopes together. Generally, it against the normal ethic.


3. Find examples of Roderigo and Iago making racial/other types of derogatory comments about others. To whom are these comments directed? Why do they say these things?

"What a full fortune does the thick-lips owe. If he can carry't thus!"(1.1.75) Roderigo says "thick-lips", obviously, it directs to Othello because he has Dark skin and he comes from African.


4.Why does Brabantio ask whether or not his daughter is under a magic “spell? How do these comments reflect Brabantio’s views on women in general?

Because he can't believe that his daughter would elope with Othello.Brabantio doesn't respect women, he doesn't trust her daughter. In his mind, his daughter more likes a stuff, not a human.


5. Why does Iago draw his sword against Roderigo, l. 71?

Because Iago wants Othello knowing that he is totally on his side, though it is not true.

Interesting question:

Why does Iago want to destroy Othello?

Because the important military position of lieutenant has gone to Cassio and Iago has been given instead the lesser position of ensign

Act 1 Scene 2:

Summary:

Iago went to Othello's lodgings, he warns Othello what Roderigo has done and how enraged Brabantio is. However, Othello, calmed and poised, his loyalty give his brave, he doesn't feel afraid with Iago's threatening. Then a party of men approaching, Iago urges Othello retreating indoors, Othello stands his ground. However, the party is Cassio and officers from the Venetian court, they said Duke urgently requires his presence, The reason is the Rusk are attacking the island of Cyprus, a Venetian colony. On the way to the court, Brabantio assaults Othello uses magic and other illegal means to win over his daughter and demands justice. Brabantio wants to arrest Othello by violence but Othello counsels both sides put up their sword because against the enemy is the most important thing. Finally, they all move to the Duke's council chamber.

Personal reaction:

Iago seems a villain in these two scenes, he is a classic duplicity character, in order to revenge for Othello, he helps Roderigo and irritates Brabantio; on the other side, he counsels Othello retreats indoors. What's more, he is the main character to push the plot goes forward.

Interesting question:

Why Branbatnio always accuses Othello?
Because his racism is clear, he can not believe his daughter elopes with a black man, he accuses twice Othello of using magic to seduce his daughter.

Act 1 scene 3:

Summary:

At the council meeting, the duke and senators discuss the tactics of the Turkish, predict and decide that the final destination might be Cyprus. After Brabantio and Othello arrived, Brabantio demands his grievances quickly——his daughter has been stolen from Othello by magic spells. The duke requests the evidence of the charge, and Othello claims that Desdemona would come and tell her story to support his innocence. Before she arrived, Othello starts describing the story of wooing Desdemona. When Desdemona enters, she admits that she falls in love with Othello and denies Othello uses the magic spells, she also announces that she has to shift her primary loyalty from father to husband. Brabantio has to give up his demand for justice and leave the council bitterly. Then council keeps working on the attacking from Rusk, finally, the council decides Othello has to go Cyprus for imminent attacking. Othello is willing and ready to go, before he went out, he asked the appropriate living place for his wife, the duke suggests she live with her father, but neither Othello nor Desdemona nor Brabantio agreed. Then Desdemona requests to go with Othello, the duke agreed. Roderigo, now alone with Iago, threatens suicide as his loss of Desdemona, then Iago mocks him in order to take him out of it, convinces him to be "a man". Then Iago persuades Rodrigo sells his all property for suiting Desdemona. After Roderigo left, Iago starts his soliloquy, he presented the reason why he hates Othello, he suspects Othello has had sex with his wife, Emilia. Then he plans to cheat Roderigo's money, makes hints to Othello that Cassion is too friendly with Desdemona. If his plan does work, his revenge will be succeeded and he will get the lieutenant.

Personal reaction:

In this scene, Shakespear uses much metaphor to represent themes in this scene. For example, The food that to him now is as luscious as locusts shall be to him shortly as bitter as coloquintidas.(1.3.391-392)."luscious as locusts " hints the relationship between Othello and Desdemona; "Bitter as coloquintidas" hints Iago predicts that their relationship would be broken.

Question:

1. Record all the instances of "eyes", "vision" and "seeing" you can find. What conclusions can you draw about how Shakespeare is using this symbol? Write a concise paragraph


" Ay, to me.She is abused, stol'n from me, and corruptedBy spells and medicines bought of mountebanks.For nature so prepost'rously to err, Being not deficient, blind, or lame of sense,


Sans witchcraft could not."(1.3.60-68).

The Brabantio's vision shows he just wants to arrest Othello and let him divorce with Desdemona. From his words, he accuses Othello use the magic and spells to seduce his daughter, he never considered Othello's remarkable history. Obviously, he is kind of racist, Shakespear uses Brabantio's extreme and harsh speech to represent the racism in that era.

Interesting question:

 Why Iago convince Roderigo to sell his property?
Iago mocks Roderigo and makes him enraged, then Iago tells him if he wants to pursue Desdemona, he should spend his properties to do that. In facts, Iago's determination is utilize

Roderigo to finish his revenge.