Act 3 Scene 3 (Lines 91-283)

Act 3 Scene 3 is when Desdemona pleads Othello is reinstate Cassio. After doing so, Iago poisons Othellos mind, implying that Cassio has committed adultery with Desdemona. This sparks Othellos jealousy and Shakespeare introduces the theme of jealousy in this scene. In addition, the imagery of seeing and knowing is also used throughout this scene while there is a shift from the love between Desdemona and Othello to the false love between Iago and Othello.

In this particular scene, the theme of love is developed into the theme of war. In the beginning of the play, Othello had support from the Venetian council and was united with Desdemona. However, Desdemona now begins to make the boundaries between domestic and public life rather vague when she mediates for Cassio, making Othello uneasy and feeling as if he is being attacked. This becomes obvious when Othello asks Desdemona to leave after line 89, perhaps implying that Othello now sees Desdemona more as an enemy rather than an ally. Shakespeare effectively makes this shift in this particular scene of the play. This is ironic as Iago takes this opportunity to say, My lord, you know I love you in line 118. There is a clash between Iagos false love and Desdemonas true love, but because of Iagos astute thinking, he manages to take advantage of this situation and manipulate Othello the way he wanted. Othello is now united with his enemy as he tells Iago that he is now bound to thee forever. (Line 215)

Right after Desdemona leaves the scene, Othello says perdition catch my soul/ But I do love thee! And when I love thee not/ Chaos is come again (lines 90-92). This clearly shows that Othello is becoming jealous and Shakespeare purposely does this to introduce the theme of jealously. One key point is the diction that is being used here. The two negative words Chaos and perdition foreshadow the approaching tragedy that is going to happen to Othello. Shakespeare does this to intensify the dramatic irony as we as the audience knows Iagos plans.

The theme of manipulation is also developed throughout this scene, as this scene exposes how Iago poisons Othellos mind. Iago begins to make comments and give his own interpretation of events to Othello and then refusing to explain them clearly. By doing so, Othello becomes curious and begins to become desperate to find out what Iagos thoughts are. Othello begins to demand what these thoughts are by commanding Iago to show me thy thought (line 117). Shakespeare does this to portray how Othello is becoming more and more agitated. In addition, Iago makes his words extremely nebulous by saying that his thoughts are vile and false (line 137) and therefore Othello begins to assume and jump into false conclusions.

Shakespeare also uses the imagery of seeing and knowing. Othello tells Iago If more thou dost perceive, let me know more (line 241) which emphasises how dependent Othello is on Iago now. Iagos poison is working and Iago even says set on thy wife to observe to Othello, which shows how successful Iago is. It is clear that the villains power is increasing and the villain is manipulating Othellos mind.

As an audience, we should question whether or not Othello is vulnerable to jealousy. Or is Iago just a very convincing liar? Iago provides a lot of proof about his judgements by constantly reminding Othello that he does not understand the country disposition (line 201) and therefore will provide an objective viewpoint of this whole situation itself. This makes Iago dependable in Othellos eyes. He also indirectly hints that Desdemona has already rejected previous men and that she is recoiling to her better judgement (line 238) and become attracted to Cassio. Othello is slowing becoming more overwhelmed by all these comments that he begins to believe all the compelling stories Iago is making up.