Othello Discussion Questions - DR. SPRUILL



Guiding Questions – Othello, Act III

Act III, scene i

How might information from this scene affect future actions in the play?

Act III, scene iii

2) Desdemona says, “Assure thee, / If I do vow a friendship, I’ll perform it / To the last article” (HIGHLIGHT). How might this be foreshadowing?

3) In pleading to her husband, Desdemona’s word choice hurts her argument. What words have double meanings that might make it seem to Othello that she is in love with Cassio?

4) Why do you think Othello finally gives in to Desdemona’s request? In other words, he finally says, “Prithee no more; let him come when he will; / I will deny thee nothing.” (HIGHLIGHT) Why?

5) Othello says, “Excellent wretch! Perdition catch my soul / But I do love thee! And when I love thee not, / Chaos is come again.” (HIGHLIGHT) What do these lines reveal about him and his relationship with Desdemona?

6) What is ironic about Othello’s speech to Iago beginning with, “I think thou dost; / And, for I know thou’rt full of love and honesty…/That passion cannot rule.”?

7) What techniques does Iago use in his conversations with Othello to make his assertion about Desdemona and Cassio seem more plausible?

8) Iago says, “Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, / Is the immediate jewel of their souls.” (HIGHLIGHT) How does this contrast with his previous views shared with Cassio?

9) Emilia refers to Iago as her “wayward husband” in this scene. What do you think this implies about her view of Iago? What does the fact that she gives the handkerchief to Iago imply about her relationship with her husband?

Act III, scene iv

10) Why do you think Emilia doesn’t tell Desdemona about the handkerchief? Explain.

11) Why do you think Desdemona lies to Othello about the handkerchief? Do you think she would’ve responded differently if he hadn’t been out of sorts?

12) How do you think Bianca will fit into the play?

13) What do you predict will happen in acts four and five? Be specific.

Other quotes to highlight:

1. Iago: “It were not for your quiet nor your good,/ Nor fo my manhood, honesty, and wisdom,/ To let you know my thoughts” (III.iii.152-154).

2. Iago: “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy!/ It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock/ The meat it feeds on” (III.iii.165-167).

3. Othello: “I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove;/ And on the proof there is no more but this-/ Away at once with love or jealousy!” (III.iii.190-192).

4. Iago: “Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio;/ Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure” (III.iii.197-98).

5. Othello: “I am bound to thee forever” (III.iii.212).

6. Othello: “If more thou dost perceive, let me know more./ Set on they wife to observe. Leave me, Iago” (III.iii.239-40).

7. Othello: “Fear no my government” (III.iii.256).

8. Othello: “Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content!/ Farewell the plumed troops, and the big wars/ That makes ambition virtue! O, farewell!” (III.iii.348-50).

9. Iago: “To be direct and honest is not safe./ I thank you for this profit, and from hence/ I’ll love no friend, sith love breeds such offense” (III.iii.378-80).

10. Othello: “All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven./ ‘Tis gone./ Arise, black vengeance, from the hollow hell!” (III.iii.445-47).

11. Emilia: “’Tis not a year or two shows us a man./ They are all but stomachs, and we all but food;/ They eat us hungerly, and when they are full,/ They belch us” (III.iv. 102-5).

12. Cassio: “I do beseech you/ That by your virtuous means I may again/ Exist, and be a member of his love/ Whom I with all the office of my heart/ Entirely honor” (III.iv.109-13).

13. Emilia: “But jealous souls will not be answered so;/ They are not ever jealous for the cause,/ But jealousy for they’re jealous. It is a monster/ Begot upon itself, born on itself” (III.iv. 158-161).

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