Act 3 Quotes

• "My lord shall never rest: I'll watch him tame" Act 3 Scene 3 - Desdemona

  • Saying that she won't leave Othello (her lord) alone until he gives Cassio his job back
  • She is out of the domestic sphere here
• "I cannot think it, that he would steal away so guilty-like, seeing you coming" Act 3 Scene 3 - Iago

  • Deceiving yet again
  • Iago is presenting Cassio as suspicious
• "I will deny thee nothing. Whereon I do beseech thee, grant me this, To leave me but a little to myself" Act 3 Scene 3 - Othello

  • Othello is asking to be alone. He has never said no to Desdemona.
  • Is this because of Iago or because of Desdemona.
  • Iago potentially made Othello second guess, unfortunate timing Desdemona is asking for her position back at this time.
• "Excellent wretch! Predition catch my soul but I do love thee! And when I love thee not chaos is come again" Act 3 Scene 3 - Othello

  • He is beginning to have serious doubts
  • Highlights the Peripeteia - a dramatic change in circumstances, argued the most rapid one seen in Shakespeare plays.
  • 'perdition' Christian word: After death being eternally punished
• "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy: It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on" Act 3 Scene 3 - Iago

  • Suggesting Othello is ignorant
  • Manipulative technique, by talking about jealousy results in Othello to be jealous.
  • Green-eyed monster is an extended metaphor for Iago
  • Irony, beware of jealousy is true however it is delivered in the most false presence
• "For she had eyes and chose me" Act 3 Scene 3 - Othello

  • He's not jealous yet as he is not completely convinced
  • Free woman yet she chose him
  • He will only doubt her when there is prove given to him.
• "Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio" Act 3 Scene 3 - Iago

  • He suggests that there is proof and an affair going on here
  • Manipulative right the way through
  • His tone gives an idea that he is sucking up to Othello and has his best interests as heart, clearly not the case.
• "In Venice they do let God see the pranks they dare not show their husbands" Act 3 Scene 3 - Iago

  • Manipulative tone yet still noble
  • Presents Desdemona and all women as disloyal and promiscuous.
  • Painting the evidence
• "She did deceive her father, marrying you" Act 3 Scene 3 - Iago

  • Uses Desdemona's past and previous actions against him
  • Suggests that because Desdemona did it to Brabantio, she will do it to Othello.
  • Makes him self-doubt
• "O curse of marriage that we can call these delicate creatures urs" Act 3 Scene 3 - Othello

  • He is embarrassed and shameful to be known as a cuckold by Iago
  • He is conflicted - this hurts him but he still doubts her
  • He still isn't fully convinced, just has suspicions
  • This is the result of Iago's influence over Othello
• "The Moor already changes with my poison" Act 3 Scene 3 - Iago

  • Othello is already doubtful - the handkerchief will solidify this
  • The handkerchief is handled by everyone - this reflects the destructive effect that is has. Othello's obsession is even more damaging
  • It is a symbol of Desdemona's fidelity. The handkerchief is now solid proof
  • Will guarantee a big issue
  • To be planted in Cassio's room
• "I think my wife be honest and think she is not" Act 3 Scene 3 - Othello

  • Conflicting ideas
  • Reputation has changed, doubts
• "In sleep I heard him say 'Sweet Desdemona" Act 3 Scene 3 - Iago

  • Lies again about Cassio's dream
  • Untrue, adding fuel to the flame
  • Cassio has never said this
• "Such a handkerchief (I am sure it was your wife's) did I today see Cassio wipe his beard with" Act 3 Scene 3 - Iago

  • Part of his collection of manipulative lies
  • The handkerchief is the only solid bit of evidence Iago has
• "Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her!" Act 3 Scene 3 - Othello

  • Iago's manipulation has worked
  • Sexually motivated expletives, he is speaking about his own wife like this
  • Mirrors Iago's view of women, has this also been forced into him
• "Hot, hot, and moist: this hand of yours requires a sequester from liberty" Act 3 Scene 4 - Othello

  • moist hand, youth and sexual appetite, desire
  • she is not offended
  • she doesn't react as she trusts him
• "It is not lost; but what and if it were?" Act 3 Scene 4 - Desdemona

  • here she lies, yet she is still loving and devoted
  • Yet now she is lying about him
  • Othello is avoiding confrontation about Cassio
• "They are all but stomachs, and we are all but food, they eat us hungerly, and when they are full they belch us" Act 3 Scene 4 - Emilia

  • Talking about men here
  • Not telling Desdemona the truth
  • Says men have control over women, can use them when they want.