Othello - Discuss the significance of Act 3 Scene 3 in terms of the development of characters and theme - GCSE English - Marked by Teachers.com (2024)

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Othello - Discuss the significance of Act 3 Scene 3 in terms of the development of characters and theme - GCSE English - Marked by Teachers.com? ›

The scene represents a clear development in character of Othello who in previous scenes could be seen as a calm non-aggressive character but his jealousy and suspicion of his wife Desdemona being unfaithful to him turns him into an aggressive character who is determined for revenge.

The end of Act III, scene iii, is the climax of Othello. Convinced of his wife's corruption, Othello makes a sacred oath never to change his mind about her or to soften his feelings toward her until he enacts a violent revenge.

This scene, often called the "temptation scene," is the most important scene in the entire play and one of the most well-known scenes in all drama. In it, Iago speaks carefully and at length with Othello and plants the seeds of suspicion and jealousy which eventually bring about the tragic events of the play.

This scene is where the building tension of the play reaches its breaking point and Othello, in the depths of paranoia and mistrust, vows to seek violent retribution on Desdemona for something that she has not done. Iago's manipulation of Othello is so complete, that he has determined he must kill his wife.

From the beginning of Act3 Scene3 Othello changes dramatically. We see him go from madly in love with Desdemona, having absolute faith in her and trusting her completely, to doubting her loyalty and sweetness by believing Iago's stories. Iago has completely changed Othello's character from good to bad.

Act 3 Scene 3

Desdemona reassures Cassio that she will continue to speak to Othello on his behalf. She says 'Do not doubt, Cassio, but I will have my lord and you again as friendly as you were'. Iago makes sure Othello sees the end of their conversation and notices Cassio leaving Desdemona.

First of all, there is dramatic irony in Desdemona's remarks to Cassio that she will "do all [her] abilities in [his] behalf," coupled with the fact that when Othello and Iago enter the scene Iago immediately plants the seed in Othello's mind that Cassio is involved with Desdemona ("I like not that").

Act 3, Scene 3

Summary: A frantic Romeo pays Friar Lawrence a visit. The Friar tells Romeo the somewhat good news: he won't face death, but because he killed Tybalt, Romeo can never return to Verona. Romeo doesn't think that's such good news: he'd rather be dead than separated from Juliet.

Analysis: Act III, scene iii

Ariel's appearance as an avenging harpy represents the climax of Prospero's revenge, as Antonio, Alonso, and the other lords are confronted with their crimes and threatened with punishment. From Prospero's perspective, the disguised Ariel represents justice and the powers of nature.

The central idea of this excerpt is that the plebeians mistake Cinna the poet for Cinna the conspirator and decide to tear him to pieces before going after Caesar's killers. Cinna the poet is trying to attend Caesar's funeral as a friend, but the plebeians believe that he is a conspirator and plan to kill him.

What is Othello's state of mind in Act 3 Scene 3? ›

Notice also that Othello immediately thinks of killing Desdemona. He believes that she has robbed him of his manhood, so he feels he must destroy her. But Iago cautions Othello that it was just Cassio's dream and may not signify anything about Desdemona's faithfulness.

Iago pretends to be hesitant about speaking ill of someone. Othello urges him to speak saying that if he is a true friend he will say. Iago insinuates that Cassio has designs on Desdemona but never actually says it explicitly so when Othello reacts to what he thinks is a revelation, Iago warns him not to be jealous.

Bianca's jealousy of Cassio provides a contrast for the jealousy that Othello feels for Desdemona—demonstrating that women are also subject to the jealousy that Emilia, earlier in this scene, attributes only to men. Bianca also serves as a contrast to Desdemona: Bianca is whor*, while Desdemona's virtuous wife.

Iago states, 'O beware, my lord, of jealousy: / It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on' (Act 3, Scene 3), portraying the sinful associations of jealousy, and its corruptive nature. Throughout the play, Shakespeare explores the consequences of jealous dispositions.

Act 3, scene 3

Iago uses pathos (the mode of persuasion that appeals to people's emotions) to convince Othello that his wife Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio. Here, Iago paints Desdemona's infidelity in animalistic terms designed to invoke Othello's primal instincts.

Initially, Othello and Desdemona are deeply in love, despite her father's disapproval of their marriage. However, when Othello promotes Cassio instead of Iago to Lieutenant, Iago has his revenge by convincing Othello that Desdemona cheats on him with Cassio, destroying the marriage between Othello and Desdemona.

Act 3, Scene 3 chronicles the reactions of both Romeo and Juliet when Romeo turns up to Friar Laurence's cell to find out he has been banished by Prince Escalus. Romeo has hidden in his priest's cell after killing Tybalt. When Romeo hears of his banishment from the Friar, he calls it a fate worse than death.