Act III scene i Comic relief with the clown Scarcity of comic relief No subplots Othello is the most focused, intense tragedy

Act III scene iii Desdemona is determined to set things right. Desdemona is determined to set things right. “ His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift ” “ His bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift ” Desdemona ’ s sense of justice Desdemona ’ s sense of justice “ intermingle everything does with Cassio ’ s suit ” “ intermingle everything does with Cassio ’ s suit ” Ironic: She is undone by her own goodness. Ironic: She is undone by her own goodness.

Iago ’ s machinations He insinuates that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. He insinuates that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. “ I like not that ” “ I like not that ” He makes Othello start to think uneasy thoughts. He makes Othello start to think uneasy thoughts. Othello seizes the bait and becomes jealous. Othello seizes the bait and becomes jealous.

Iago ’ s echoing Othello ’ s Words “ Thou echoest me, as if there was some monster in thy thought, too hideous to be shown ” “ Thou echoest me, as if there was some monster in thy thought, too hideous to be shown ” Simile Simile Othello thinks Iago hides the truth. Othello thinks Iago hides the truth.

Jealousy “ the green-eyed monster ” “ the green-eyed monster ” A symbol representing Othello ’ s dark feelings, A symbol representing Othello ’ s dark feelings, A specter luring in his mind and beginning to steer his behavior. A specter luring in his mind and beginning to steer his behavior.

Insecurity Othello is deeply insecure about his personal qualities and his marriage. Othello is deeply insecure about his personal qualities and his marriage. Othello ’ s incorrect conception of himself Othello ’ s incorrect conception of himself He is uncouth, poorly spoken, and old He is uncouth, poorly spoken, and old Desdemona can not love him. Desdemona can not love him.

Handkerchief The most crucial symbol of love The most crucial symbol of love Losing it the “ ocular proof ” of Desdemona ’ s dishonesty. Losing it the “ ocular proof ” of Desdemona ’ s dishonesty. Desdemona ’ s alleged betrayal Desdemona ’ s alleged betrayal

Iago subverts Othello ’ s wish for “ ocular proof ” “ if imputation and strong circumstances which lead directly to the door of truth will give you satisfaction, you might have it. ” “ if imputation and strong circumstances which lead directly to the door of truth will give you satisfaction, you might have it. ” Othello falls into Iago ’ s rhetorical trap. Othello falls into Iago ’ s rhetorical trap.

languages Othello has spoken with beautiful imagery, convincing rhetoric. Othello has spoken with beautiful imagery, convincing rhetoric. Othello has expressed the eloquence and beauty in his soul. Othello has expressed the eloquence and beauty in his soul. Othello loses his power of language. Othello loses his power of language. He uses single lines of speech and monosyllabic words. He uses single lines of speech and monosyllabic words. This resignation marks a shift in the balance of power between Othello and Iago.. This resignation marks a shift in the balance of power between Othello and Iago..

Act III scene iv Double meaning of Othello ’ s words, both normal and accusing. Double meaning of Othello ’ s words, both normal and accusing. He thinks Desdemona is unfaithful. He thinks Desdemona is unfaithful. “ hand is moist and hot ” “ hand is moist and hot ” A sign of a lustful nature A sign of a lustful nature She is of a “ liberal heart ” She is of a “ liberal heart ” Generous vs. licentious Generous vs. licentious

Importance of the handkerchief “ There ’ s magic in the web of it ” “ There ’ s magic in the web of it ” His language is mystical, full of dark images His language is mystical, full of dark images The handkerchief has a magic-like hold over Othello. The handkerchief has a magic-like hold over Othello.

Bianca Cassio shows courtly politeness to Desdemona and Emilia. Cassio shows courtly politeness to Desdemona and Emilia. Bianca is in lowly status as a courtesan Bianca is in lowly status as a courtesan A cultural bias of the time A cultural bias of the time