Act 3 Scene 3


Othello


departure: ‘I cannot think it, / That he would steal away so guilty-like, / Seeing you coming.’ Similarly, when Iago learns that Emilia has Desdemona’s handkerchief he immediately sees an opportunity to deepen Othello’s suspicions and plans to hide the handkerchief in Cassio’s room. Iago’s success depends largely on an ability to seize on opportunities such as these. Emilia’s virtues (her kindness and loyalty) are exploited by Iago. By kindly facilitating the meeting between Desdemona and Cassio and by loyally giving Iago the handkerchief, Emilia unwittingly helps her husband ruin Othello and Desdemona. Iago deviously arouses Othello’s suspicions. By pretending to be reluctant to speak, Iago strengthens Othello’s belief in his suggestions. Othello becomes desperate to hear ‘The worst of words’ believing that Iago is withholding some horrible information: ‘This honest creature doubtless / Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.’ The more reluctant Iago is to speak, the greater weight his words have. Othello’s open nature leaves him susceptible to Iago’s suggestions. Iago plays upon Othello’s insecurities about being an outsider to make Desdemona’s alleged infidelity seem plausible. He says that it is natural for Desdemona to be attracted to those of ‘her own clime, complexion and degree, / Whereto we see in all things nature tends’. This idea seems to arouse self-doubt in Othello who wonders if his race, lack of refinement and age may be driving Desdemona away: ‘Haply, for I am black / And have not those soft parts of conversation / That chamberers have, or for I am declined / Into the vale of years’. Othello’s pride is revealed as a flaw in his character. As he comes to believe that Desdemona has been unfaithful, he cries out in pain. He no longer feels he is worthy of respect and bids farewell to his military career:


‘Farewell the plumed troops, and the big wars, That make ambition virtue! – O, farewell! Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump, The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife, The royal banner, and all quality


Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war!’


As Othello’s pride is wounded he succumbs to rage and jealousy. Othello is clearly tormented by the possibility that Desdemona has been unfaithful. He curses marriage and sees his imagined situation as miserable: ‘O curse of marriage,


That we can call these delicate creatures ours, And not their appetites! I had rather be a toad, And live upon the vapour of a dungeon, Than keep a corner in the thing I love For others’ uses.’


Othello finds uncertainty particularly torturous: ‘I think my wife be honest and think she is not… / I’ll have some proof… / Would I were satisfied!’ He calls for ‘ocular proof’ to dispel any uncertainty and says, ‘Make me to see’t – or, at the least, so prove it, / That the probation bear no hinge nor loop / To hang a doubt on.’ In his overwhelming desire for certainty, Othello abandons reason. This causes him to be consumed by jealous emotions and a desire for revenge.


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