Act 3 Scene 2 Scene Summary Othello gives Iago letters to be sent to the Venetian senate. The gates of the castle.
Enter OTHELLO, IAGO and Gentlemen OTHELLO
These letters give, Iago, to the pilot,1 And by him do my duties2
there to me. 1 pilot: ship’s captain to the senate:
That done, I will be walking on the works.3 Repair4
IAGO Well, my good lord, I’ll do’t. OTHELLO This fortification, gentlemen, shall we see’t?
GENTLEMAN We’ll wait upon your lordship. [Exeunt]
2 do my duties: pay my respects 3 works: ramparts 4 Repair: Return
Commentary
This short scene illustrates how Othello is reliant on Iago. Othello’s official letters to the senate are entrusted to Iago. Othello is blind to the danger Iago poses. It is ironic that Othello is seen inspecting Cyprus’s military defences but fails to recognise that his most deadly enemy is beside him.
