Blog #4- Othello, Act III
Act
III: Choose one of the following options for your blog
comment. When you post, title your
comment with the option you chose. Remember
to sign your comment with your first initial, last name, and class period.
OPTION 1-
With the
stage now set for Iago, he needs only to convince Othello of Desdemona’s
infidelity. Indeed, by the end of Act
III, scene iii Othello is convinced of her treachery. Yet, how did Iago do it? Identify Iago’s shrewd comments made about
Desdemona and Cassio. Then describe Othello’s reaction to each. If identified correctly, you should find a
series of subtle suggestions made by Iago which leads Othello to bloody
intentions. What might it be about
Othello’s nature that made him susceptible to Iago’s influence?
OPTION 2-
Explain the
importance of the handkerchief; what did it once symbolize and what does it
symbolize by the end of Act III?
Consider that Emilia is present during Othello and Desdemona’s argument
over the handkerchief. If she is well
aware of the importance of the handkerchief, then why doesn’t she tell the
truth? Consider the situation from her
point of view and create a list of possibilities.
The handkerchief is probably one of the most iconic items/symbols in the play. It might not seem like it at first because of how small the item is, but it is the turning point for Othello and Desmendona. The handkerchief had a unique, one of a kind design on it woven from fine materials from another land. The handkerchief was important to Othello because it was his gift to Desmendona as a symbol of their love, which is why it destroys Othello when he finds out that the handkerchief was found in Cassio's quarters. It should also be noted that Emilia, Iago's wife, is present the whole time and knows what is happening because she is the one who stole the handkerchief for Iago. It is questioned how the play could have ended if Emilia would have just spoken up and told Othello of what Iago was plotting. The marriage could have been saved, multiple lives could have been saved, and Iago could have been apprehended for his crimes. Option 2. (H. Kimble 1).
ReplyDeleteOption 2
ReplyDeleteThe handkerchief once symbolized Othello's love for Desdemona, but after Iago manipulates Othello by feeding him with lies the handkerchief represents Desdemona's disloyalty. I believe that Emilia did not tell Othello and Desdemona about the handkerchief because she wanted to stay loyal to her husband , Iago. Many women back in the days were afraid of not respecting their husband's wishes, so they would have to do what they had to do to please. (E.Degue 7)
I agree with this because although Desdemona had been loyal, a tiny handkerchief completely changed that.
Delete(Z. Lipscomb. 2)
I agree with what you are saying because i was thinking that women lived to serve their husbands and their wills in this time as well. (H. Kimble 1)
DeleteThe handkerchief once symbolized the unbreakable bond between Othello and Desdemona, by the end of Act 3, it symbolizes a marriage falling apart or the past,what used to be. Emilia probably doesn't what to tell the truth because
ReplyDeletePossibilities
She is scared that her husband might hurt her if she does tell her.
She may want Othello's marriage with Desdemona to end since Othello for the same reason as Iago.
She may want to be with Othello so she wants his marriage to end.
She wants Othello dead and this handkerchief could cause his death.
(C.Hill.1st period)
I disagree that the handkerchief is a symbol of a failing marriage. I think that it is a symbol of the nonexistent affair between Cassio and Desdemona, as Cassio had it in his possession. Also because a failing marriage isn't really what is arising. It's more growing tension between Othello and Desdemona because of an affair Iago accuses her of. I also disagree with the first possibility you stated as Iago isn't violent for say. He uses manipulation to get everyone else to do his dirty work. (C. Drucker 2)
DeleteOPTION 1: Act 3, Scene 3 is where Iago kicks things into full gear as far as executing his plan. The scene begins with Desdemona and Cassio talking, alone (which was setup by Iago). Shortly after, Iago and Othello walk in together and see Cassio scurrying off suspiciously. Iago says, "Hey! I don't like that." (3.3.33), but then pretends he didn't say anything and acts like he isn't even sure the man sneaking off was Cassio. His comment is the start of Othello's jealousy because it planted seeds of doubt in Othello, and those seeds will blossom quickly. Next, Iago asks if Cassio knew Desdemona while Othello and Desdemona were dating. He says he asked this question out of curiosity, but really it was just another way to get Othello thinking about Desdemona and Cassio. Then, Iago comments " People should be what they appear to be" (3.3.131) just to get Othello stirred up again. When Othello starts to get concerned and tells Iago that, " there's more to this than you're letting on" (3.3.135) Iago acts like he knows something about Cassio and Desdemonas' relationship by responding," Please don't make me do that" (3.3.138) , but really he knows nothing. Finally, Iago gives Othello a random speech on jealousy, which leads to the beginning of Othello's anger. By this point, Othello is very suspicious of Desdemona's faithfulness all because of Iago's sneaky, deceptive ways. Othello also gets annoyed because he is a very trusting man, and people he trusts (Desdemona and Cassio) very much may be deceiving him. This trusting side of him is also probably the reason he even considered what Iago is implying. (B.Bair 7)
ReplyDeleteOption 2- The handkerchief once symbolized that Othello's mother, as long as she had claim on it, would remain desirable and that her husband would not leave her. As she was dying, she turned it over to her son, instructing to one day give to his wife. At the end of the Act, however, the handkerchief represents an act of loyalty from Emilia to her husband, Iago. She doesn't tell the truth, I believe, in an attempt at a salvation of her crumbling marriage. (A. Osborne 1)
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with your opinion. I think the handkerchief symbolizes the broken marriage between Othello and Desdemona. Since Othello gave her the handkerchief, it first symbolized a strong marriage that will never tear apart. Now, by the end of the act, it just symbolizes an old memory, what it used to be. It serves as a reminder to Othello that Desdemona broke the secret trust of marriage and must be punished for her sins. (C.Hill.1st period)
DeleteOption 2:
ReplyDeleteIn Othello, Desdemona's handkerchief represents love and marriage. By Desdemona always keeping it on her, it shows that she loves Othello and they have a strong marriage. When Emilia finds the handkerchief, she says that her "husband has asked (her) to steal it a hundred times"; revealing that it can be used in his plan to convince Othello his wife is unfaithful (3.3.300). When Iago makes Othello unsure of Desdemona's loyalty, he asks her about the handkerchief. When she does not have it,
Othello becomes all the more certain that her love has been stolen by another man. Emilia is present during the argument about the handkerchief, but to earn her husband's appreciation back, she does not say anything. Another possible reason for her secret keeping could be that she was jealous of Othello and Desdemona's happy marriage. (E.Stacey7)
Opinion 1- Iago uses this handkerchief that was an antique of Othello's family. Desdemona dropped the handkerchief and Emilia found it, she takes it to her husband Iago. Iago wanted to plant it on Cassio to further fool Othello into thinking that they were messing around. Iago told Othello that Cassio had dreams crying out to Desdemona saying that they need to hide their love. He later tells Othello that he say Cassio with her handkerchief. This tells Othello that they must be fooling around how else would he have his families handkerchief that was given to Desdemona? I believe that it was so easy for Othello to believe Iago because Othello is very trusting and thinks that everyone is honest to him. That they will not lie.
ReplyDeleteThe handkerchief means a lot to Othello as his mother gave it to him as she was dying. His mother used it as a symbol of marriage fidelity. And by the end of act three it is a symbol of infidelity, as Cassio had it in his possession. From the comments that Iago had for his wife it is with certainty that their marriage is rocky. It also seems that Iago spends a lot of time outside of his home. This handkerchief may have been an attempt for Emilia to please Iago. This may have also been because Emilia wants to see Desdemona ruined. She may be doing as Iago and manipulating her, for selfish desires. (C.
ReplyDeleteDrucker 2)
1- Iago subconsciously plants hints of the cheating between Cassio and Desdemona in the back of Othello's mind. While the handkerchief could of been an honest mistake, it is just what set the whole plan into place and pushed Othello off of the edge. Iago pulls this off by making sly comments about the alleged affair but also claiming innocent by reassuring Othello he is not for sure, and these are just his beliefs. When it all unfolds, Othello is reassured of the affair because Iago prayed on Othello's mind by periodically weakening his trust.
ReplyDeleteThe handkerchief first symbolized Othello's deep love for Desdemona and she always cherished it because of that. However, as act three comes to an end, the handkerchief resembles jealousy of Othello and evil from Iago. He purposely flaunted the handkerchief in front of Othello to falsely prove Desdemona was being unloyal to Othello. One possibility that Emilia wasn't willing to speak up might be because she was afraid of her husband, Iago. He was verbally abusive to her constantly. Another possibility could be that Iago did not tell her what was going on and so she did not feel inclined to disrespect Othello and interrupt him and Desdemona's argument.
ReplyDelete(Z.Lipscomb 2)