Musicians
In the beginning of Act 3, Cassio enters with musicians and instructs them to play a short but nice song to greet Othello. He thinks that the music will put Othello into a better mood.
Chaos Ran Into Some Traffic, But He'll Be Back In 5 Minutes
Othello says that "Chaos" will "come again" when he no longer loves Desdemona in the beginning of Scene 3. By Act 5 though, Othello has gone from loving her to hating her due to Iago's manipulative techniques and lies.
The Worst Part of Jealousy
The worst part of jealousy is not only does it make you feel terrible, but it makes you look pathetic in the eyes of others.
The Handkerchief
Iago's wife, Emilia, found Othello's handkerchief which he had given to Desdemona, and brings it up to Iago. Iago takes it, knowing it will make executing his plan a lot easier, and hides it in Cassio's quarters.
Iago's Manipulation
Iago creates suspicious behavior between Cassio and Desdemona by telling Cassio to meet with Desdemona to try to get his job back in Act 2, Cassio doing so because he knows she will have a big influence on what Othello does. When in conversation with Othello, Iago uses the word "indeed," which is somewhat meaningless, because it can be interpreted in many ways. He also uses the words "think" and "seems" to indicate that he is not entirely certain of what he is saying, and by that, cause Othello to not be either. Othello also ends up revealing his insecurity about his race and mannerisms to Iago. Othello feels that he does not fit in with the society very well and is not as polite and well mannered as other men. Iago takes advantage of this by pressing the idea that Desdemona is cheating on him because he is not good enough for her in this way, which he is not too hesitant to believe. To convince Othello that Iago may be dishonest, Iago does the following. First, Iago asks Othello a strange question then asks him to think nothing of it, causing him to press forward into Iago’s clutches. Iago next repeats Othello’s questions back to him, leading Othello to believe he knows something that he doesn’t want to say. Iago uses language throughout the conversation that suggests that he doesn’t think Cassio is honest but really wants to say that he is, as his friend. Iago also pretends that he really doesn’t want to say what’s truly on his mind, which naturally causes Othello to demand the information. Finally, Iago then spills his lies out to Othello, under the guise of them being fears he did not want to mention.
Notable and Quotable
“My lord shall never rest, I’ll watch him tame and talk him out of patience; his bed shall seem a school, his board a shrift; I’ll intermingle everything he does with Cassio’s suit. Therefore be merry, Cassio; for thy solicitor shall rather die Than give thy cause away” (Desdemona, Scene 3). When Cassio came to Desdemona to try to get his job back, Desdemona said this to Cassio, explaining how she won’t let Othello rest until Cassio has his job back. However, since Iago has his plan to make Desdemona seem like she is cheating on Othello with Cassio, it will seem to Othello that she only wants Cassio to get his job back because she is cheating.
“I will in Cassio’s lodgings lose this napkin, and let him find it. Trifles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ” (Iago, Scene 3). When Emilia finds Othello's handkerchief, Iago takes it from her and makes this soliloquy, which explains how this minor thing, which could easily be a coincidence, will absolutely confirm what Iago has said to Othello due to how he has manipulated him. Othello will end up falling for Iago’s trick and believing Desdemona is cheating on him.
“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (Iago, Scene 3). Iago says this to Othello while trying to manipulate him into believing his lies about Cassio and Desdemona, talking about how jealousy not only hurts someone, but makes them look poorly in the eyes of others. Othello’s jealousy will turn out to be his downfall due to the rash decisions he makes regarding Desdemona and Cassio.
“Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous; and will upon the instant put thee to’t. Within these three days let me hear thee say that Cassio’s not alive” (Othello, Scene 3). Othello says this to Iago after Iago swears to do Othello’s bidding. Othello, while he didn’t need the help of another to get what he wanted to do done, he is glad to have the help of Iago. Othello has told Iago to kill Cassio essentially, which will lead to Cassio’s serious wounding.
“There are a kind of men so loose of soul, that in their sleeps will mutter their affairs: one of this kind is Cassio: in sleep I heard him say, ‘Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves” (Iago, Scene 3). While in the process of his manipulations in Act 3 Scene 3, Iago tells this lie to Othello in order to cause him to believe that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio. He claims Cassio talks in his sleep and was dreaming of Desdemona. This, in addition to Iago’s other manipulative techniques, leads Othello to believe that he is being cheated on.
“I will in Cassio’s lodgings lose this napkin, and let him find it. Trifles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ” (Iago, Scene 3). When Emilia finds Othello's handkerchief, Iago takes it from her and makes this soliloquy, which explains how this minor thing, which could easily be a coincidence, will absolutely confirm what Iago has said to Othello due to how he has manipulated him. Othello will end up falling for Iago’s trick and believing Desdemona is cheating on him.
“O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on” (Iago, Scene 3). Iago says this to Othello while trying to manipulate him into believing his lies about Cassio and Desdemona, talking about how jealousy not only hurts someone, but makes them look poorly in the eyes of others. Othello’s jealousy will turn out to be his downfall due to the rash decisions he makes regarding Desdemona and Cassio.
“Not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous; and will upon the instant put thee to’t. Within these three days let me hear thee say that Cassio’s not alive” (Othello, Scene 3). Othello says this to Iago after Iago swears to do Othello’s bidding. Othello, while he didn’t need the help of another to get what he wanted to do done, he is glad to have the help of Iago. Othello has told Iago to kill Cassio essentially, which will lead to Cassio’s serious wounding.
“There are a kind of men so loose of soul, that in their sleeps will mutter their affairs: one of this kind is Cassio: in sleep I heard him say, ‘Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves” (Iago, Scene 3). While in the process of his manipulations in Act 3 Scene 3, Iago tells this lie to Othello in order to cause him to believe that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio. He claims Cassio talks in his sleep and was dreaming of Desdemona. This, in addition to Iago’s other manipulative techniques, leads Othello to believe that he is being cheated on.
Othello's Change of Heart
By the end of Act 3 Scene 3, Othello's feelings regarding Cassio and Desdemona have basically reversed, and he goes from loving them to wanting them dead as he believes they are cheating behind his back.
Desdemona Has No Clue
Desdemona thinks that Othello's strange behavior at the end of the act is just due to stress caused by some state affair. She has no idea what has transpired behind her back.