As I briefly mentioned in class, Iago often offers one approach to Othello simply to prompt him to take the opposite (and often, more destructive) approach. This is one of dozens of cases of OPPOSITES at work in Act 3.
In 1-2 paragraphs, and with at least one piece of textual support (and citation), discuss and try to analyze another pair of opposites in Act 3.
Here is a list of a few (but by no means all) other pairings/opposites at work here:
* light/dark
* black/white
* military/domestic
* true/false
* Venice/Cyprus
* public/private
I look forward to reading your insights!
In Othello, opposites are everywhere throughout Act 3. One I found very interesting was when Desdemona blatantly states Othello is not the jealous type even though we all know he is. "And but my noble Moor is true of mind and made of no such baseness as jealous creatures are" (3.4.26-28). This true/false opposite shows how little Desdemona and Othello really know about each other. Desdemona believes Othello to be very rational and not jealous at all. By reading Act 3 we all know that's completely untrue. Othello is easily manipulated by Iago and shaped into a green little monster, yet Desdemona still believes he isn't envious at all.
ReplyDeleteThis also brings up another opposite: appearance versus reality. At the beginning of the play, Desdemona and Othello appear to be madly in love, but as the play goes on, their relationship begins to crumble. They seem to be one way, yet they turn out to be the opposite of that. As the play continues, I believe small differences like Desdemona not knowing certain things about Othello will cause their relationship to deteriorate. Sometimes opposite attract, but I don't think that will be the case. Desdemona and Othello are greater opposites than they let on, and this is the reason Othello is quick to believe Desdemona cheated.
Iago says accusations that have no proof, and Othello believes them. He makes Othello question Desdemona's faithfulness, even though Othello had put his life on it. "It speaks against her with the other proofs" (3.3.486). Iago says this after he told Othello of witnessing Desdemona wiping Cassio with her handkerchief. This line means nothing because Iago never said any proof that had support. And yet Othello believes him to the point of vowing to stick with Iago and to say that he would want his own wife dead.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Cassio and Bianca is an example of an opposite from act three. Their relationship is so opposite because Bianca loves Cassio but Cassio does not love her at all. "And lover's absent hours more tedious than the dial eightscore times! Oh weary reckoning!" (3.4.168-170). This Quote shows that Bianca thinks that time is much slower when they are not together. Cassio does not agree with this statement because several lines later he says that he does not love her. "Not that I love you not" (3.4.190). In this quote, Cassio is saying that he does not love Bianca and he is saying this to her face on purpose to try to hurt her feelings. Cassio is also saying this to her because she is annoying him while he is waiting for Othello to return so that he can apologize for the fight.
ReplyDeleteIn the first act of Othello, Othello tried to prove to Brabantio that he and Desdemona's love was not brought about by trickery or spells. “Of my whole course of love --- what drugs, what charms, What conjuration, and what mighty magic (For such proceeding I am charged withal) I won his daughter”(1.3.109-111). After this quote, he tells the story of how they fell in love, with no magic involved. In the third act, Othello does the exact opposite. “'Tis true. There's magic in the web of it” (3.4.81). He tells Desdemona that the handkerchief he gave her helped his mother subdue his father, so it is implied that the same handkerchief was given to Desdemona for the same reason. Othello completely contradicts himself and is saying the opposite of what he stated earlier in the play.
ReplyDeleteAlso, by asking where the handkerchief is, Othello is simply trying to make Desdemona admit that it is not with her. He is saying the opposite of what he is thinking. When he is angry at Desdemona for having left it with Cassio, he says he wants to use it. By lying to his wife, he is trying to make Desdemona tell the truth.
Iago’s silence is filled with Othello’s anxious and paranoid thoughts. Iago’s silence and Othello’s thoughts are direct opposites that are connected to each other. The silence of Iago is filled by the fearful thoughts of Othello. Iago-“My lord, for aught I know” Othello-“What dost thou think?” Iago-“Think, my lord?” (3.3.118-120). …. Othello-“Show me thy thought” (3.3.133). Othello follows Iago’s strategically brief and vague lines by a lengthy speech questioning many of his decisions. This is exactly what Iago wants. He is keeping Othello on his toes and specifically not telling him what he wants to hear. Iago wants Othello to over think the situation and be bothered by his silence. “Therefore these stops of thine fright me the more. For such things in a false, disloyal knave Are tricks of custom;” (3.3.139-141). Othello is “frightened” by Iago’s “stops” or pauses in their conversations.
ReplyDeleteDesdemona and Emilia's different beliefs on Othello's true feelings is an example of one opposite in the play. When Emilia asks Desdemona if she thinks Othello is jealous, Desdemona replies: "Who he? I think the sun where he was born drew all such humors from him" (3.4.31-32). Desdemona does not think Othello is jealous at all, which is pathetic because if she doesn't realize this by now, something definitely isn't right. However, while Desdemona believes he's not, Emilia has a completely different theory: "They (jealous souls) are not ever jealous for the cause, but jealous for they're jealous. It is a monster begot upon itself, born in itself" (3.4.181-183). Emilia, at the end of Act 3, is finally catching on and beginning to realize that Othello is jealous. She referred to the idea of jealousy six times in the end of Act 3 alone, which was no accident.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, the relationships of the two couples (Othello and Desdemona and Iago and Emilia) could both be looked at as opposites; they don't know each other and keep secrets from each other. Desdemona can't figure out that Othello is jealous, and it took her more than half of Act 3 to realize something was wrong with Othello. Also, while Desdemona's love for Othello is still huge in the end of Act 3 (when she mentions that she would rather lose her purse than Othello's handkerchief), Othello believes that she is unfaithful, and he is deciding whether or not he should kill her. Emilia is completely blind to the fact that Iago is evil and doesn't care about her, and that the "monster" she was talking about (line 183) that could change Othello, is her own husband. Also, Iago is hiding things from Emilia: like the handkerchief that she gives Iago. When Emilia asks why he wanted it so bad, he doesn't tell her. Many important thoughts of both characters in each relationship are opposites.
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ReplyDeleteThere are many opposites in act 3 and one of the opposites is Iago’s feeling towards Emilia. In the beginning of the play Iago talks about why he hates Othello and one of the reasons was because there was a rumor that Othello slept with Emilia. Iago was mad about that; however, in Act 3 Iago seems like he hates Emilia and they quarrel when they talk to eachother. “To have a foolish wife” (3.3 348). Emilia didn’t do something wrong to deserve punishment, but Iago always says negative things to Emilia. If Iago and Emilia's marriage is crumbling too, why does Iago get mad at Othello for sleeping with Emilia. He doesn't deserve to use that as a reason to get revenge on Othello if he doesn't love Emilia. Iago's attitude towards Emilia is always a contradiction.
DeleteIn Act three, subtle and obvious opposites can be discovered in almost every scene. One opposite that I noticed was on page 155, where Othello talks about how moist Desdemona’s hand is and then continues to say this: “A liberal hand! The hearts of old gave hands, But our new heraldry is hands, not hearts” (3.4.53-54). This is clearly an opposite as Othello is describing what people used to do compared to what people do now. When he said, “a liberal hand,” he is describing Desdemona’s hand as being freely given away. Then proceeds to respond to Desdemona’s statement when she said, “For ‘twas that hand that gave away my heart” (3.4.51). “The hearts of the old gave hands,” meaning that in the olden days, people used to “hand over” their hearts to one another when they united in marriage, but now in current years, “it is the hand (free and uncontrolled) that give away the hearts,” meaning that people give their hands to each other, but not their heart and love.
ReplyDeleteThat is an intense statement uttered by Othello because he is essentially saying that in the past, everyone would marry through love and affection for one another. Instead, now people marry without love. In this very moment, he is hinting that Desdemona did the same action. There is a complete contradiction between those two sentences, and Shakespeare put those two together so the readers can see the ambiguity within.
The most powerful and prevalent opposite that unfolds in Act 3 of Othello is between the two faces of Iago himself. Like the Roman god Janus, Iago not only switches his opinions on various personal traits, mainly reputation, but also switches between his version of the truth and the real truth. Iago’s perspective on reputation completely inverts as he states to Othello, “Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, is the immediate jewel of their souls…But he that filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him and makes me poor indeed” (3.3.182-183; 188-190). By telling Othello that reputation means everything and that it is the only thing, if lost, able to make a man truly poor, he expresses the polar opposite of what he says to Cassio after Cassio’s dismissal from Othello’s army. Earlier on, Iago explains to a distraught Cassio, “Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving” (2.3.287-289). In this contrast, Iago suggests that he could care less about the inconsistency between his points of view. What matters to him is that, whether he supports or refutes something, both his eyes are fixed on his plan of regaining the lieutenancy and shaming Othello in the process.
ReplyDeleteAnother example of Iago as his own antithesis occurs in Act 3, Scene 3 when Iago allows Othello a glimpse into his own, true mentality. He slyly says, “As I confess, it is my nature’s plague to spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy shapes faults that are not” (3.3.172-174). Iago clearly elucidates his true penchant for causing unnecessary strife through his jealousy and eagerness to spy into others’ affairs. Unfortunately, Othello fails to see the truth embedded in a set of lies because he has been trained by Iago to see the carefully crafted deceits playing the role of honesty that underlie the words of Iago’s discourse. After this rare moment of truth, Iago switches immediately back to his concocted pseudo-truth by emphasizing his “honesty” to make sure it is the only statement Othello believes. Thus, through his contradictions and false honesty, Iago solidifies the paradox that he is his own opposite, his own yin and yang, and his own head and tail to the same coin.
In the first 2 acts of the play, Othello and Iago seemed opposite of each other. Othello was truthful, while Iago lied. Othello had good intentions, while Iago had ulterior motives. Othello was good, and Iago was bad. But in Act 3, their differences are opposite of that. They become the same. Othello yells at Iago for parroting him: "'Think, my lord?' thou echo'st me"(3.3.121). But, in Act 4, Othello does the same thing to Desdemona by responding with only little snippets of what she has says like: "Not?"(3.4.63) and "Say you?" (3.4.95). He is beginning to trust Iago's story more and more and this is causing him to subconsciously mimic his actions. He also does this by lying to her about the handkerchief: "There's magic in the web of it" (3.4.81). He also mimics Iago without knowing when he repeatedly tells Desdemona the same thing: "The handkerchief!"(3.4.103, 3.4.107, & 3.4.113), which is what Iago did to Roderigo in the beginning of the play: "Put money in thy purse"( 1.3.384, 1.3.389, 1.3.395, 1.3.423). By acting in so many ways like Iago, Othello is becoming the opposite of himself. He does not trust Desdemona like he did at the beginning of the book, he is jealous like he swore he wouldn't be, and he is falling into Iago's traps.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between the marriage of Iago and Emilia was particularly interesting in act three scene three. Iago, who is a demon and selfish slime is married to the more innocent and kind Emilia. Emilia is often found comforting Desdemona when she is sad and upset about Othello but Iago is the exact opposite. Where it may be taken as if Iago is being kind to Othello he is really deceiving and he really hates Othello. How these two met I have no idea but there relationship is terrible beyond imagination. Iago is willing to disrespect his own wife just to get what he wants out of Othello. When Emilia finds Desdemona's white handkerchief Iago scorns her "You have a thing for me? It is a common thing-...to have a foolish wife" (3.3.347-348). Iago continues to lie to his wife when he vows to return the handkerchief but of course this is a lie. The fact that Iago can lie easily to people isn't that remarkable. The fact that he can lie to his wife emotion free is incredible. Something must have happened to Iago in his past where he is at the point where he would even deceive his wife.
ReplyDeleteA pair of opposites that comes up throughout Act 3 is military and domestic. This opposite is mostly seen with Desdemona and Cassio. During Act 3, Desdemona is trying to persuade Othello to take Cassio back as his military lieutenant, but while she is trying to make things better for Cassio, she is actually making things worse for him, and herself, by adding to Othello’s domestic insecurity. The military/domestic opposite is also seen at the end of Act 3, Scene 4. After Desdemona sees how angry Othello is, she says, “Something, sure, of state” (3.4.161). Desdemona thinks that Othello is mad about a military problem; it doesn’t even cross her mind that it could be a domestic problem until Emilia brings it up.
ReplyDeleteThis also brings up the true/false opposite. After Desdemona talks to Emilia about Othello being mad because of the military, Emilia says, “Pray heaven it be state matters, as you think, and no conception nor no jealous toy concerning you” (3.4.176-178). Desdemona is positive that this isn’t true, exclaiming, “Alas the day, I never gave him cause!” (3.4.179). She is absolutely sure that Emilia’s claim is false. Little does she know that Emilia’s statement is actually 100% true.
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ReplyDeleteOne of the most important opposites in Act 3 is the opposition of black and white. White is supposed to symbolize purity in this play, while black is supposed to represent darkness and corruption. Othello is black in race, while Iago is white in race. The contradiction and opposition here is that Iago is the one that is black in morality, and Othello is the one that is white in morality. Iago says something to Othello that truly shows a glimpse of what he really is, "As, I confess, it is my nature's plague to spy into abuses, and (oft) my jealousy shapes faults that are not" (3.3.172-175). Mrs. Gahan pointed out something that I did not see: the meaning within the characters' names. Bianca's name means white, but she is not pure because she sleeps with many different men. There is so much contradiction between the characters' names and their personality. I think that Shakespeare added this contradiction with the names and the colors because he wants his readers to think more about the characters' names and their personalities within. He wanted a sense of contrast to create depth in his writing.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteIn Act 3, Othello has conflicting feelings towards Desdemona. In the beginning of Scene 3, right after their first night together, Othello declares his love for Desdemona. He tells Iago, "Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul but I do love thee! And when I love thee not, Chaos is come again" (3.3.100-102). Othello describes how much he loves Desdemona by saying that the whole world would cease to exist if their love was not real. But later in the scene, Othello "does a 180, " and he completely reverses his view of Desdemona. Othello swears, "I'll tear her all to pieces!....I will withdraw to furnish me with some swift means of death for the fair devil" (3.3.490; 543-545). In this quote, Othello tells Iago he is going to kill Desdemona for cheating on him.
Othello allows himself to doubt his choice because he does not trust himself. He doesn't trust himself because his mind is always mixing his warrior instincts with his human instincts. Othello can't distinguish the two. He lives his normal life with a warlike mentality. He can never fully trust the people closest to him because in war people are betrayed by the people they thought were trustworthy.
Both Iago and Desdemona say they want Cassio reinstated to his original positions, but they have opposite reasons why they want Cassio back. While the true reason behind why Desdemona wants Cassio back is unclear, she most likely wants him back since she knows that he is Othello's best friend and is loyal to him no matter what. "So many a time, when I have spoke of you dispraisingly, [Cassio] hath ta'en your part" (3.3.79-81). Even when Desdemona herself was being negative about Othello, Cassio always had Othello's back. But Iago's reason for saying that he wants Cassio back is totally different. He wants to act as if he wants Cassio back, but then when he talks to Othello, Iago acts as if he is hiding something from Othello, and that he is forced to tell Othello what is on his mind. Iago tells lies about Cassio messing around with Desdemona, and Othello unfortunately believes him even though there is no proof. Iago really just wants Othello to hate Cassio, even though he has done nothing wrong. The reason why Iago says he wants Cassio back is the opposite of the reason why Desdemona wants him back.
ReplyDeleteIn act 3 scene 4, Othello tells the story of his parents’ marriage and compares it to his marriage by using the handkerchief as a binding element. Othello’s mind is becoming more focused on jealously due to the fact that Desdemona cannot produce the handkerchief. Othello told Desdemona the story of his parents’ marriage and how if his mother would have lost the handkerchief then his father would have left her. So, by Othello telling Desdemona, “She [Othello’s mother], dying, gave it me, and bid me, when my fate would have me wived, to give it to her.” (3.4.74-76) shows that Othello is saying that his parent’s marriage lasted into death, because she died giving the handkerchief to Othello. Othello believes that the handkerchief represents Desdemona’s faithfulness in their relationship. Now that Desdemona lost the handkerchief, their relationship is now no more. These are direct opposites because Othello’s mother never lost the handkerchief but Desdemona did, and thus Desdemona and Othello’s relationship is going to come to an end.
ReplyDeleteFrom Anastasia:
ReplyDeleteBefore Othello and Desdemona left for Cyprus, Othello was taken to Desdemona's father to prove his love for her. While Brabantio argued that Desdemona's love for Othello was caused by magic and witchcraft, Othello persuaded him otherwise by saying, "I won his daughter" (1.3.111). Othello believes that the pure love that he and Desdemona have for eachother is the only trickery that occurred. Fast forward to Act 3: Othello is arguing with Desdemona. Othello explains to Desdemona that he has a cold and that he would like to see the handkerchief. While Desdemona attempts to change the subject, Othello keeps pressing her to answer the question, which eventually forces her to admit that it is missing. This sends Othello into a long speech as to why he is angry that is has been lost. While describing the history behind the keepsake, Othello mentions that there is magic woven into the thread of the handkerchief. "There's magic in the web of it" (3.4.81).This is the exact opposite of what he had told Brabantio. Othello fails to see this as a fault on his part and carries on to leave the room in an angry state. Othello believes himself to be the victim when he is the one causing his downfall. By believing everything that is said to him, Othello will destroy himself before Iago has to.
Not only in Act 3 but throughout the entire play Iago is based on lies and truths. That is why we mention hi, as a two-faced character. Iago shows, especially in Act 3 scene 3, his plan to end the love life of Othello and Desdemona, and end the military career of Cassio. Iago says, "Men should be what they seem; Or those that be not, would they might seem none"(3.3.147-148). The irony of this quotation is that the one who was not being honest was iago. Ta possible way to understand the phrase would be, Men should be what they are, and those that are not, end up being nothing. Iago says that while in the the back of everyone he performs his evil plan that involves all members of the part,in a direct or indirect way. Iago's ended Cassio career because he fought with Montano while the two were drunk, and now hr is playing Othello and Desdemona against each other because os jealousy, so Othello could pay for having put cassio in the position that Iago wanted. Iago claims that The false people do not go forward, but he is being fake, and in consequence, Iago is not going forward.
ReplyDeleteThe boldest, and most evident opposite that occurs in Act 3 of Othello is Iago’s truth and lies. Throughout the book, Iago always told lies or something like a lie that would mislead another character. Iago tells Othello, “I do beseech you, Though I perchance am vicious in my guess, As, I confess, it is my nature’s plague To spy into abuses, and oft my jealousy Shapes faults that are not, that your wisdom, From one that so imperfectly conceits, Would take no notice, nor build yourself a trouble Out of his scattering and unsure observance. It were not for your quiet nor your good, Nor for my manhood, honesty, and wisdom To let you know my thoughts” (3.3.170). The first part of this quotation is the only true statement Iago has said in the whole play. He is basically saying that Othello shouldn’t trust me because I lie. As he keeps rambling on, he starts to lie again by telling Othello that he would lose his ‘manly, honest and wise’ reputation if he accidentally spilled a little fib. Iago is also showing Othello that trust is everything. Iago is trying to play with Othello’s mind because if all of Othello’s friends lose trust, like Iago wishes him to do and which he does later on in the act, he cannot recover from the devastation. Sadly, Othello didn’t understand what Iago was saying when he was basically giving himself away. Othello is justified for being confused after this passage because he has trusted Iago for most of his life, and he just told him that he is untrustworthy. Iago is crazy for saying he will lose his manly and honorable reputation for being trustworthy when he just warned Othello about his lies!
ReplyDeleteIago gets away with so many lies because he lies to everyone and everyone believes him. He knows everyone’s emotions and everyone’s attitude towards each other at all times. He is also subtle with his lies and words them so they sound like he means well. In other words, he tells everyone what they want to hear. In order to stop this kind of villain, all of the characters have to recognize that one man’s words cannot be valued so much. They need to get together and communicate to pick apart Iago’s lies. This is a hard thing to do because Iago is so believable and all of the characters trust him The reason Othello and Cassio always believe Iago is because before the marriage, Iago was not a villain and never lied. He had a strong reputation for being an honest right hand man. He got away with telling Othello the truth because Othello thinks all his lies are the truth so all his truths are lies.
This is practically an essay. Nice.
Deletethanks ray!
DeleteAt the beginning of the play, Othello comes off as a lighthearted, thoughtful, likable individual. He doesn't seem like the jealous type at all. This version of Othello exists from the beginning of the play up until a point in the middle of act three. It is not a definite point, meaning that there is not one specific word, line, or even scene in which Othello changes, but in the middle of the third act, right around the time that Iago starts to play with Othello's mind, Othello switches from a non-jealous man to a jealous husband. Iago's involvement is no coincidence, in fact Iago is the very one who plants this jealousy into Othello's mind. The Othello who existed at the beginning of act 3 is free of jealousy, but even Othello cannot overcome Iago's constant whispering. Iago puts doubt into Othello's head, thus giving birth to the green monster of jealousy. The change is obvious to the readers, but is not apparent to Desdemona until she talks with Othello. Before she talks to Othello, Desdemona says to Emilia that Othello is never jealous and never will be. After Desdemona chats with Othello however, Emilia says, "Is not this man jealous?" (3.4.116), and Desdemona replies saying, "I ne'er saw this before" (3.4.117). The contrast between Othello at the beginning and end of act 3 is startling, so much so that even Desdemona is bewildered by it. Who can blame her though, these two different Othello's are nearly polar opposites.
ReplyDeleteIn act 3 scene 3, there were a lot of false statements that were said that should have been true that changed what went on in the play. Iago was always trying to get under Othello's skin and make him mad. The main thing that that Iago was trying to accomplish was he was trying to get Othello to feel some jealousy. Othello was never the jealous type, and then Iago started to talk about Desdemona and Cassio and got into Othello's head. There was one specific time in the play where this occurred. "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on. That cuckhold lives in bliss who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger" (3.3.195-198). Iago is telling Othello not to fell jealousy because it is one of the worst things that a person can feel, when in fact that is exactly what Iago wants Othello to feel.
ReplyDeleteIago plays a very tricky character in this act. He says a lot of false statements that mess with people head's. He is a very conniving character.
Towards the end of Act 3 Othello's words towards Desdemona seem to have a double meaning. He says, " Here's a young and sweating devil here, who constantly rebels"(3.4.48-50). In this metaphor he is speaking badly of Desdemona, but in the next sentence he says, "tis a good hand". The two statements together indicate that Othello doesn't want to hurt Desdemona, but at the same time is having trouble keeping his grief to himself. In the same paragraph Othello says, "This argues fruitfulness and liberal heart"(3.4.44). This might mean she has a generous heart but also implies that she it is cheating and unfaithful. I think Othello's word choice in act 3.4 shows that he feels guilty being rude to her but is truly hurt by her games.
ReplyDeleteIn Othello, opposites are very apparent throughout Act 3. The relationship between the public and private lives of the characters is an interesting one. Often times the lines between the public and private lives are blurred, “I had been happy if the general camp, pioneers and all, had tasted her sweet body, so I had nothing known. O, now, forever farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content! Farewell the plumed troops and the big wars that makes ambition virtue!” (3.3 397- 402) Here Othello is talking about how he would have rather Desdemona cheat with his whole army but keep it a secret than for her to cheat with one person and for it to be public. At this point, Othello has been driven mad by Iago’s persistence about the importance of public image. How Othello could be content with his wife cheating on him in as long as it was secretive is disturbing to say the least. Not only is Othello more concerned about his public appearance than his private life, but Othello also cannot distinguish the difference between his private life and his work. In the quote, Othello says goodbye to his job. Othello truly believes that if word comes out that Desdemona cheated on him, he would lose job in the army. This blurring of Othello’s public and private lives is the complete doing of Iago. Iago has successfully worked his way in to Othello’s head. Iago has planted the idea to combine these two seemingly separate opposites together.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of both blindness and ability to see (Oedipus Rex returns) can be found not only in Act 3 but it can be found in the entire book. Desdemona is blind towards Othello's color, or she sees past his color. Brabantio can only see Othello's color; he then claims that Othello used witchcraft on Desdemona because there is no way that she could love him with his skin color. Othello never sees the fight that goes on between Cassio and Rodereigo. A main idea is that many of the characters are blind to the truth. A major example is that Othello never sees Desdemona cheating on him with Cassio. All the information is leaked to him by Iago. He's been blinded by Iago's lies to see that Desdemona is speaking the truth. Ironically, Iago says, "Nay, but be wise. Yet we see nothing done." (3.3.491) He's saying that they haven't actually seen anything happening, but they may in the future. Othello sees Desdemona and Cassio, but he doesn't see that there isn't anything going on between the two of them. Othello says on multiple occasions that he knows that Iago is a good and honest man, but he's blind to the fact that Iago is against him because he's now clinging for someone to stay close and not betray him. Iago is the one pulling the string behind this entire mess, and he sees everything that is happening.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Othello and Desdemona drastically contradicts the one between Cassio and Bianca. There are obvious reasons for this, such as the fact that Desdemona and Othello have mutual feelings for one and other, whereas Bianca is alone in her love for Cassio. Shakespeare delves deeper into this contrast, however. The handkerchief was a motif that provided the reader/audience with some dramatic irony regarding opposites. It is evident that within Othello and Desdemona's relationship, the handkerchief is of utmost importance, but to Cassio, it is merely a way to get Bianca off his back for a few hours. In Act 3, Scene 4, Othello demands to know where the handkerchief is and becomes extremely upset when he learns that it is gone. It is implied that the handkerchief symbolizes their marriage in a way when Othello gives his speech on its importance: "That's a fault. That handkerchief did an Egyptian to my mother give. 'Twould make her amiable and subdue my father entirely to her love" (3.4.65-71). In essence, the handkerchief is very important to Othello and Desdemona. However, this same handkerchief does not appear to have nearly the same amount of significance for Cassio and Bianca. During the same act, Cassio uses the handkerchief he found to rid himself of Bianca by telling her to copy its pattern. "Strike off this score of absence. Sweet Bianca, take me this out" (3.4.203-204). The contrast in the relationships over something as simple as a handkerchief sends a message. If something that trivial has a completely opposite effect on the two "couples," then it becomes clear that Shakespeare wants the reader to view them as dissimilar relationships.
ReplyDeleteIn Act 3, Scene 4, Oedipus and Desdemona argue over the handkerchief and Cassio. Oedipus gets frantic wondering why Desdemona would not have the handkerchief. While Oedipus is demanding Desdemona to show the handkerchief, Desdemona is worried about Cassio's job and repeatedly asks Oedipus to reestablish Cassio to his position. There is a very contrasting opposite here. While Oedipus is worrying about his domestic relationship with Desdemona, Desdemona is worrying about Cassio's status, a situation that is more militaristic. They are arguing about very opposite topics and this is making it difficult for them to communicate and acquiesce with each other. For example, while Oedipus was ordering Desdemona for the handkerchief, she was saying totally off-topic lines about Cassio such as, "Come, come. You'll never meet a more sufficient man," (3.4.105-106) and "A man that all his time hath founded his good fortunes on your love..." (3.4.110-113) She was completely focused on Cassio's need to restore his reputation and could not talk with Oedipus about it because of his own contrasting topic. This caused Desdemona to have to delay her efforts for Cassio and Oedipus to start losing a lot of trust in Desdemona.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading Act 3 of Othello , i notice many opposites and contradictions playing a strong role Othello. The idea of light and dark is very evident between Othello and Iago. Othello is black, yet his personality is innocent and honest. Iago is white, yet his personality is deceiving and full of jealousy. When Othello says " I think thou art just and thou art not" (3.3 440) to Iago, he is showing how naive and trusting he is. He firmly believes Iago has his best interest at heart; he shows his light personality be being so open to Iago. This quote shows how Iago is dark because he has lied to Iago and deceived Othello enough to make Othello believe that he truly cares for him.
ReplyDeleteOpposites can be found throughout Act 3 of Othello. One of the pairs I continually noticed was the toss up between factual/physical proof and accusation. All along Othello had appeared to be a “see it to believe it kind of guy”, but as we see in Act 3 Iago can quickly have Othello changing gears. “Make me to see ‘t, or at the least so prove it” (3.3 417). Here we see the Othello we believed stood true, wanting to see evidence that Desdemona is cheating on him. But as Iago continues speaking to him, we suddenly see a shift in Othello’s mood and see that he has succumbed to Iago’s conniving words “I’ll tear her all to pieces” (3.3 490). Instead of confronting Desdemona about the stuff he’s heard, he’s allowing himself to get worked up and accuse her.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though Desdemona and Othello’s relationship would be better off if Desdemona did not intervene with Othello’s duties as a leader. Desdemona pleads to Othello that he must give Cassio back his title as lieutenant. Desdemona continues to not support her self as a huge fan of her newly wedded husband when she mentions, “When I have spoke of you dispraisingly, Hath ta’en your part- to have so much to do to bring him in!” (3.3 80-83). Desdemona admits to talking about Othello poorly behind his back and then says that Cassio himself backed Othello up, and Desdemona proceeds to mention once again that Othello should Restore Cassio as lieutenant. The question is why is Desdemona so persistent with Othello to get Cassio his job back? This is when is an example when domestic life gets in the way of military duties, and brings up the realization that woman have little say into what goes on with there husbands lives along with there own in this era.
ReplyDeleteIn life, many people associate the color black with evil, and the color white with purity and good. In the play Othello, it's the complete opposite. In the play, white represents evil and bad, and black represents purity and good. The white evil I am speaking of is Iago, a jealous man, who allows that jealousy to ruin everyone else's happiness. The black good I speak of is Othello, a black warrior and king of Thebes.
ReplyDeleteIago does many things in this play to prove his evilness. One thing he does is get Cassio drunk. Cassio tells Iago that he has had bad, past experiences with drinking, and Iago pounces on that. "What man! 'Tis a night of revels. The gallants desire it" (2.3.44-45). Here Iago uses one of his tricks, which is pity for others, to get Cassio drunk. This is when his jealousy took over; he's jealous of Cassio because he got the position of lieutenancy, and he believed he was a better candidate for the job. Because Cassio was drunk and gets into a brawl, he loses his position, and Iago is eventually promoted. This proves how Iago, a white man, is portrayed as an evil character, even though his skin color should mean that he's good.
In act three Iago makes Othello double think everything he says because Iago just repeats everything that Othello says. Iago does a very good job of manipulating Othello in act 3 scene 3. He constantly lies to Othello and tels him how much he loves him and how he has always been so honest and how he has always had Othello's best intentions. "It were not for your quiet nor your good" (3.3 178). In this quote Iago is comparing Othello's qualities of being quiet and good, personally I think that this is a comparison of opposites because yes I do think quiet people can be good but I dont think that a person of Othello's ranking can be quiet I would think he would have to be very vocal about multiple things. I think these to things are opposites because in order to do great things you have to put yourself out there and not be quiet.
ReplyDeleteOthello and Desdemona are the opposites shown in Act 3, Scene 4. Othello is asking where Desdemona's handkerchief is and why she does not have it, while Desdemona is trying to help Cassio. These are completely two different topics, and it is making it very hard for Desdemona and Othello to talk to each other (like man and wife should be able to). Othello is so wrapped up in trying to find the handkerchief, because that is the one "clue" that Iago gave him for Desdemona cheating on him. He is so upset about Iago accusation, that he can't see that his wife is trying to talk to him about his good friend. What makes matters worse is Desdemona's response does not ease Othello's worries. "'Come, come. You'll never meet a more sufficient man," (3.4.105-106). She is not only avoiding to show him the handkerchief, she is also inforcing the thought that she is having a love affair with Cassio. She is complimenting him, and Othello has to leave the room because he will start to cry. This argument is based on opposite topics, but they have one thing in common. Iago is the base of the problem, and nothing good can come from it.
ReplyDeleteIn Act 3, Scene 3, the differences between black and white came up a couple of times. Othello says,"Her name, that was as fresh as Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black as mine own face" (3.3.441-443). Othello is saying that Desdemona was pure and clean before they were married, but now she is dirty and black like his face. Desdemona is white, but she is unfaithful and a liar. Othello is black, but he is a trustworthy person. Othello refers to black being dirty and bad, but it is the other way around in this situation because Othello is the good person, and Desdemona is the bad person. This shows the opposites of black and white used throughout Act 3. In Act 3, Othello keeps negatively referring to being black. He says,"Haply, for I am black and have not those soft parts of conversation that chambers have" (3.3.304-306). Othello is saying that because he is black he does not have a good way of dealing with others like white people. There is constantly that difference between black and white throughtout Act 3. Othello keeps referring to black in the negative way, and white in a positive way, but it could be the opposite way around. Iago and Desdemona are both deceitful, and Othello still remains honest and loyal even though he is black. This shows the opposite of black and white used in Act 3.
ReplyDeleteThere is no disputing the fact that Iago is two-faced: to all the other characters in the play, he appears as loyal, selfless,and willing to do anything to help Othello. On the inside, Iago is really conniving and attempting bring down everyone else just in order to advance himself. Yes, Iago is the quintessential reincarnation of Janus. However, while that may be ,there is another character who is very two-faced, Othello. Above all Othello prioritizes his military duties, even over his love, Desdemona. Othello even states that he is happiest "when when he has her by his side in the midst of military conflict or business" (2.1 179). In addition, there was no way Othello and Desdemona would even be acquainted had Othello not been such a keen military leader. During this period in history, a Moor and an elite Venetian lady would not even be regularly seen together. And eventually, once the Turks are drowned and gone, Othello and Desdemona's relationship begins to crumble. Othello, with no military matter to concentrate on, becomes, with the help of Iago, intensely, even destructively focused on his marriage. Othello is a very determined individual and when it is planted in his brain that Desdemona is unfaithful, he does everything he possibly can to either prove or discount it. When Othello pleads,"Farewell, Othello's occupation is gone," (3.3 409) he expresses the deep despair that follows his realization that his failure in love will dramatically affect his success on the battlefield. Othello's tragic flaw may be his ambition: there seems to be no feasible way for him to maintain his relationship with Desdemona, while also saving his military reputation.
ReplyDeleteThe way men and women handle their relationship is one of the prime opposites in Act 3. When Emilia tells Desdemona that Othello is jealous, Desdemona quickly defends him. “Who, he? I think the sun where he was born Drew all such humors from him”(3.4.31-32). She keeps denying this until she sees it for herself. Unlike Othello, Desdemona isn’t going to let anybody interfere with their relationship. However, it takes little convincing for Othello to believe that Desdemona was unfaithful to him. In fact all the proof that he needed was the words of Iago. However, Othello fails to realize that Iago has no respect for women and bashes them every chance he gets. “In Venice they do let God see the pranks. They dare not show their husbands their best conscience” (3.3.233-235). Othello is also taking advice from someone who doesn’t even have a good relationship with his own wife. To Iago, Emilia is only a servant who attends his every need. Because there is no true love in their relationship, Iago views women negatively. This also causes Emilia to believe that all men are like her husband. “They are all but stomachs, and we are all but food; They eat us hungerly, and when they are full They will belch us” (3.4.121-123). Overall, the relationship between men and women affect their view on the opposite sex.
ReplyDeleteFrom the very beginning of class discussions, Mrs. Gahan's class has decided that Rodrigo is the fool and Othello is smart. Although they've both been duped by the nefarious Iago, we see that Othello is not as easily tricked when he issued the death threat during Scene 3, lines 411-415 and 421-426. The idiosyncrasies of Roderigo are seen earlier on in the play with him falling in for Iago's "advice" with him spending/giving all of his money to Iago and travelling to Cyprus with him. He trusted Iago on every word, and never stopped to think that he was wrong. On the other hand, Othello's intellect demands proof of the infidelity of Desdemona. After he processed all the information he had, he threatened Iago with death if he did not come up with proof. He wasn't stupid enough to chose sides between a fellow soldier and his wife. This demonstration of anger at Iago doesn't stop him from continuing to mess with Othello's belief in Desdemona, but does make him acknowledge that he has put himself in life or death situation, not a game like with Roderigo.
ReplyDeleteThroughout Act 3, Othello's and Desdemona's feelings for each other are very opposite. At the end of scene 3, Othello damns Desdemona. Then, the next time they see each other, he calls her his "good lady" (155). After that, he changes his feelings for her and is accusing her of losing his handkerchief, which is a metaphor for their love and marriage. Desdemona's love for him is also very fickle. At the beginning of scene 4, she also refers to Othello as her "lord" (157) but by the end of the scene, she states that he is "not [her] lord, nor should [she] know him" (161). She even tells Emilia that she "never gave him cause" (163). These opposites however do produce a similarity which is how short their feelings for each other are. They were married so quickly and their relationship ended so quickly.
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ReplyDeleteIn our everyday world there are opposites, and why would Shakespeare's play Othello be any different? In the beginning of Act 3 Othello and Desdemona's relationship is perfect. They are happily married and everything is running smoothly. By the end, everything is in pieces and everyone knows it. Iago's plan is unfolding successfully. At the beginning of Act 3 Othello and Desdemona have eternal trust in each other and in 3.3 Iago strips Othello of his trust. In 3.4, the reader can see how Desdemona still trusts him while Othello has no trust whatsoever. I think a major opposite is Emilia and Iago. Emilia is helping and warning Desdemona while Iago continuously kills Othello mentally. Without Iago, Othello and Desdemona's trust would still be holding strong. "Damn her, lewd minx!" (3.4 541). "I ne'er saw this before... I am most unhappy in the loss of [my handkerchief] (3.4 117-119).
ReplyDeleteIago’s words to Othello in Act 3 are said to convince him that a man’s reputation is everything. "Who steals my purse steals trash. 'Tis something, nothing; 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands. But he that filches me my good name Robs me of that which not enriches him and makes me poor indeed" (3.3.184-190). However, he essentially states the direct opposite opinion of reputation to Cassio in Act 2. “Reputation is an idle and most false imposition: oft got without merit, and lost without deserving” (2.3.287-289). Iago specifically states these opposite views of reputation to achieve different results. Iago’s statement to Cassio serves to convince him that his reputation is of little importance. Cassio is swayed and decides to forgo his pride and ask Desdemona to help him get his job back. The statement to Othello is used to make Othello believe that his reputation is of the utmost importance and he is in jeopardy of being viewed as a cuckold. Iago is able to manipulate both men into believing that he is concerned for their honor and good character. Iago is able to tarnish the reputations of Cassio, Othello and Desdemona because he is regarded as a man of honesty and truthfulness. Iago acknowledges this during his soliloquy in Act 1. “He holds me well. The better shall my purpose work on him” (1.3.433-434). Iago is only able to bring about Othello’s destruction because of his reputation for honesty and the fact that Othello thinks so highly of him. In reality, Iago is the very opposite of his own reputation.
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ReplyDeleteThere were many forms of opposites throughout Act 3 of Othello, but the one I found most interesting was the opposite perceptions of Iago and Othello towards their wives Emilia and Desdemona respectively. "A good wench! Give it me"(3.3.359). Iago thinks nothing of his wife. He thinks of Emilia as a simpleminded maid who is incapable of doing any destruction and has nothing to hide. However, when she finds the handkerchief, he now sees her as a new step in his plan to take down Othello. Othello on the other hand, thinks entirely different of Desdemona. "'Tis not to make me jealous to say my wife is fair, feeds well, loves company... Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw the smallest fear or doubt of her revolt"(3.3.214-219). Othello thinks of Desdemona as a complex, independent, and talented woman who he regards highly not only an equal,but also as a loyal wife who brings light into his life. However, his perceptions start to change later on in Act 3. "I think my wife be honest and think she is not...[her] name, that was fresh as Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black as mine own face" (3.3.339-343). Thanks to Iago's deception, Othello now sees Desdemona as a complex woman in the fact that she is sneaky in being unfaithful and untruthful towards him. Othello went from seeing Desdemona as light to seeing her as a dark shadow, and that is an opposite in itself.
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ReplyDeleteWhile there are several opposites in act 3 of Othello, I agree with others when the mention the relationship between Othello and Desdemona as the most important. Throughout act 3 Othello's personality and feelings towards Desdemona is constantly changing. Especially when he is not around her his opinions and his words regarding Desdemona are extremely hurtful. In the beginning of act 3 Othello is still in love "Not now sweet Desdemona"(3.3.60). No matter what the situation Othello would always be kind and a gentleman to Desdemona, but soon that would all change. In just one act in Othello's conversation with Iago Othello speaks horrendously of Desdemona. "Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless Sees and knows more, than he unfolds" (3.3.283-284). The way Othello speaks about Desdemona when she is not around, causes me as a reader to wonder about his honesty and character throughout the book. When Othello says one thing does he mean another?
In Othello Act 3 I found many opposites. One of them that I found that interesting was when Desdemona say that Othello is not the jealous type even though we all know he is. "And but my noble Moor is true of mind and made of no such baseness as jealous creatures are" (3.4.26-28). She doesn’t know that Othello and this shows that Desdemona and Othello got married to early and that Emilia was right. “Tis not a year or two shows us a man” (3.4 120), meaning that it takes one to two years to know a man. I think why their marriage ends so quickly. This quote brings up another opposite in Act 3. Emilia tells Desdemona that it takes one to two years to truly know a man, but Emilia doesn’t know Iago and what he really about.
ReplyDeleteThroughout acts one and two of Othello, I witnessed the drastic changes of certain characters in a negative way. I also witnessed the never ending efforts of Iago to manipulate Othello. Iago is a man full of darkness and hate. Othello was a man of light, happiness, and love, until Iago changed him. In Acts one and two, the never ending love and happiness between Othello and Desdemona was shown; the neverending desire for revenge that was seeded in Iago was shown as well. Unfortunately, the drastic chenge of Othello's personality was displayed and Iago's evil plan to mainpulate Othello was a success. "To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom. with thy fraught, For 'tis of aspics' tongues" (3.3.509-510). One would assume that these hateful words were said by Iago, but shockingly, these words of darkness and unhappiness were said by Othello. The once happy, light hearted, and passionate moor was no where to be seen. He turned in to a man of darkness and was only seeking one thing, revenge. Othello has turned in to Iago. Othello who had once lived a life full of light and love, has now turned for the worse. He now lives a life of darkness and only desires to seek revenge upon Desdemona. Othello now lives the life of Iago. Iago's darkness has won.
ReplyDeleteThere were various forms of opposites in act 3 of Othello. One pair of opposites that stood out to me was the two faces of Iago. Iago acts fake toward Othello and the people around him. He shows one side of his personality as loving and caring then shows his true feelings when no one is around. His personality is an opposite itself. Iago states, “My lord, you know I love you” (3.3.134). Iago’s eagerness to lie and ability to falsely perceive someone so easily is what makes him truly evil. Iago has no problem lying to the people that care about him. He ruins lives for his own personal pleasure. These traits make him evil yet he can continue to say he “loves” Othello. Iago’s fake personality and two faced actions contradict each other.
ReplyDeleteLike we discussed in class, Shakespeare brings up the idea of color throughout the play. Traditionally, black is a color of evil and white is a color of cleanliness and purity. However, in this play the concept is reversed. Iago is white and Othello is black (physically) but Iago has the evil heart and Othello has the pure trusting one. “Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell! Yeild up, O love, why crown and hearted throne” (3.3.445). The quote black is meaning “bad vengeance” but also it has a hidden meaning. It is Othello’s vengeance. He is causing it so therefore black vengeance refers to bad vengeance from him.
ReplyDeleteOpposites are found everywhere in Othello. Throughout Act 3, what people say of Iago, and what he says of himself, seem to be in direct contrast with what the audience knows to be true about him. Iago seems to have all of the characters perceiving him as the exact opposite than he is. Cassio says, "I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest". (44-45) Desdemona says "O what an honest fellow." (5) Iago himself talks about his honesty and love for Othello incessantly. "My lord, you know I love you". (133) Iago seems to have everyone fooled in Act 3.
ReplyDeleteThe race for Othello's lieutenancy has been the fuel of this book, and the firing of Cassio is a major event pertaining to it in this play. Cassio's firing is also an opposite. Othello angrily fires Cassio in front of the whole town to respect Montano, but later Othello tells Desdemona he will reinstate Cassio in the near future. Emelia assures Cassio of this in line 50 of Act 3, Scene 2, "That he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus." Emelia is telling Cassio that Montano is famous in Cyprus and if Othello did not fire him, Othello would lose the people of Cyprus' respect. Othello's ideas toward his lieutenancy are opposites when he shares them with his wife, the public, and Iago. Opposite from what he told his wife and the public, Othello tells Iago that he will give the lieutenancy to him. Othello’s thoughts on his lieutenancy are mixed, and they are key opposites in Act 3.
ReplyDeleteAn opposite that i found in act 3 scene 4 was when Bianca and Cassio were bickering about how Cassio has not kept touch in so long. Cassio being gone for so long and all of a sudden having a new feminine possesion; hankerchief. Bianca starts to wonder is Cassio os still loyal to her, and that he is not cheating on her (3.4, line 175). When in reality Cassio is not doing anything wrong to hurt his realtionship and is actually in a bad position in which he lost his job.
ReplyDeleteIago is a character of constant contrast throughout "Othello". He leads a life of honesty and love as seen by Othello and his gang up to this point. We, as the audience, know this guise is all lies, and that Iago is nothing short of criminal. Like a starburst, Iago is in a consistent state of contradiction.
ReplyDelete"Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, is the immediate jewel of their souls. Who steals my purse steals trash. 'Tis something, nothing; 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands"(3,3,182-187). Iago argues that money means nothing to him and he is only worried about his precious reputation. We, the audience, all knows this is false because of two main points. For one, we know Iago is worried about money because in Act 1 Scene 3, Iago tells Roderigo to put money in his purse only for him to steal later. For two, if Iago was so worried about his reputation he wouldn't be doing all of these evil deeds. Eventually people will find out about his evil deeds, and what would be of his precious reputation then?
The pair of opposites that stood out to me the most in Act 3 of Othello was the military/domestic pair. Starting in Act 2, Othello's military confidence has been high. The Turkish navy was demolished during the storm, and Othello and his people landed safely on the shore of Cyprus. Othello's domestic confidence, however, has dropped significantly since his arrival on Cyprus. By this point in the play, Iago has manipulated Cassio and Emilia to subtly make it seem like Desdemona is cheating on Othello with Cassio. This causes Othello to get very angry at both Cassio and Desdemona and he states, "Within these three days let me hear thee say that Cassio's not alive" (3.3.537). This quote shows the reader that although Cassio had at one point been very close to Othello, their feeling of trust and closeness is all gone. Later on in the scene, Othello, regarding Desdemona, says to Iago, "Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her, damn her! Come, go with me apart. I will withdraw to furnish me with some swift means of death for the fair devil" (3.3.541). Othello is now feeling the same way towards Desdemona as he just started to feel towards Cassio. He no longer cares for them, and this directly contradicts how he felt about them before Iago's intervention earlier in the play.
ReplyDeleteIago and Othello are complete opposites, and unfortunately, they don’t attract. Iago is dishonest and manipulative yet Othello continuously believes that he is an honest man. This works to Iago’s advantage when his diabolical scheme unfolds as he plots Othello’s demise. Iago convinces Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful but he does not say it directly. He gives Othello a thought and plants it in his head. Othello waters this seed over with paranoia and eventually a fake flower of truth emerges. Othello thoroughly believes Iago. Iago is very intelligent for plotting Othello’s revenge in this way; he doesn’t want to get his own hands dirty. Technically, Othello thought of this himself and it technically means that Iago was not responsible for Othello to think that his wife was cheating on him. Iago hopes that this infidelity will lead to Othello’s fall and in the end no one can point fingers at him.
ReplyDeleteTwo of the opposites that I saw in this act of Othello were the difference between jealousy and love. In the start of scene three they are talking about love, and how Cassio loves Othello even though his lieutenancy was taken away. The scene ends with jealousy, and how Othello is now jealous of Cassio that he is sleeping with his wife, and now he will be considered a cuckold. Iago uses the relationship between jealousy and love to his advantage when trying to manipulate the people around him. First of all, it was jealousy that provoked Iago into doing this whole thing in the first place. Iago uses Rodrigo's love for Desdemona, Othello's love for Desdemona, and Cassio's love for Othello, and he meticulously uses them to get his way. At first Rodrigo was just in despair about Desdemona, but Iago used Rodrigo's jealousy and turned it from his love of Desdemona to his hate of Othello. Now Rodrigo does whatever Iago tells him to do. Iago's plan really unfolds with the love and jealousy of Othello and Desdemona. In the beginning of the act Othello talks of how his life would be chaos without Desdemona's love, "But I do love thee! And when I love thee not, Chaos is come again" (3.3 101-102). But by the end of the scene all Othello talks about is how much he hates Desdemona and Cassio now, "Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught, For 'tis of aspics' tongues!...O blood, blood, blood," (3.3 508-510, 512). Know Othello wants to kill Cassio and Desdemona. And we all know how a tragedy ends.
ReplyDeleteI think that race was a very important in this scene because of the opposite symbolism that it showed. The topic of race relates easily to good or bad deeds in the story of Othello. People with names with hidden words such as Desdemona and Othello, which contain the words demon and hell, were actually the ones who were good and had not been involved in troubling affairs. Only the use of deception from Iago was the reputation of Othello and Desdemona weakened. Alternatively, people with names free of impurities such as Bianca, symbolic of the color white in Italy, and Iago were the ones who had been involved in doing bad things, all closely relating to showing how Iago and other people sharing similar traits would disguise themselves behind false personalities in order to corrupt those who were respectable and honorable.
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ReplyDeleteFrom Sidak
The theme of opposites can be found multiple times throughout the play. A character that exhibits this theme is Iago. From the beginning of the play, Iago had always been the villain that is out to get Othello and immediately shows his hatred towards him. In the very first scene of the play, Iago says to Brabantio, “To be producted, as if I stay I shall, against the Moor” (1.1.164). This automatically kicks off with Iago showing his true side, although evil, against Othello. From the middle of Act 3, Iago’s personality drastically changes and he shows his complete opposite side of him being very generous and caring towards Othello’s feelings and acts like he is guiding Othello in the right direction with his job and even with Desdemona. Iago tells Othello, “My lord, you know I love you” (3.3.134). we all know that that was a complete lie to Othello’s face and Othello still didn’t realize he was being played with.
This brings up another angle at a character being in the true/false situation. Othello also since the beginning of the play seems very eloquent and a prestigious war general. The middle of act 3 also marks his turn of identity. He turns into a jealous man who can’t see his wife as a faithful woman. He now believes, thanks to Iago, that she is cheating on him with Cassio and is completely untrue. He even says, “I think my wife be honest and think she is not...[her] name, that was fresh as Dian's visage, is now begrimed and black as mine own face" (3.3.339-343).