. Yet he has just learned that Desdemona has eloped with Othello, the Moorish (North African) general under whom Iago serves. Othello Act 4 Scene 2 14. He is talking with Iago about the handkerchief still, and its significance in being found; but, soon, Iago whips Othello into an even greater fury through mere insinuation, and Othello takes the bait. Iago, pretending to act surprised, wonders how Othello could be in a bad mood, and goes to speak to Othello. In Act I, scene 1 of Othello, why does Iago say he hates Othello? We’ve discounted annual subscriptions by 50% for our End-of-Year sale—Join Now! . Iago enters with Othello and tries to make him notice Cassio going away after meeting Desdemona. Iago, feigning reluctance, claims that he often overthinks things and states that his reputation is on the line if he reveals all of his thoughts. Find out what happens in our Act 1, Scene 1 summary for Othello by William Shakespeare. He continues with similar wordplay in scene 3 when speaking to Desdemona, playing with the homonym of lie (to recline) and lie (to tell falsities). Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. Othello: Act 1, scene 3 Summary & Analysis New! One could argue that Othello is easily manipulated but as an honest man himself, he has no reason to doubt Iago. Iago treats his wife Emilia in a very derogatory way: “It is a common thing…To have a foolish wife” (Act 3 Scene 3, Lines 306–308). The letter to Venice sent with the ship's pilot would announce that Cyprus is safe after the destruction of the Turkish fleet. An important gap is beginning to open here: the audience knows Iago to be a scheming threat to Othello and Desdemona, but the characters in the play grow more certain that he's not only honest, but is actively helping them in their time of need. Othello falls into a trance of rage, and Iago decides to hammer home his false ideas about his wife. Iago enters, and Cassio admits that he is going to try to use Emilia to speak to Desdemona. Othello asks Iago to go pay the captain of the ship who brought him to Cyprus. Desdemona leaves with Emilia and tells Cassio that she will speak to her husband when his spirits are up. Act 3 Scene 1 Cassio asks musicians to play for him as the clown enters. Act 3, Scene 1 Cassio, eager to please, has sent some musicians to play, badly, in hopes of winning back Othello's good favor. The witch placed a spell on it that guaranteed the faithfulness of whomever the handkerchief’s owner loved. Accessed December 23, 2020. https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Othello/. Chapter Summary for William Shakespeare's Othello, act 1 scene 3 summary. Desdemona initially says that it is not on her person but that she knows where it is. Course Hero. Why does he become a man in "misery" by his next speech (3.3.190/p10). Last Updated on June 20, 2020, by eNotes Editorial. Finally, Iago counsels Othello to trust only what he sees, not Iago's suspicions. William Shakespeare's Othello explained with play and scene summaries in just a few minutes! As Othello and Iago enter, Desdemona invites Cassio to stay, but he leaves, claiming that his presence will not help. Desdemona tells the clown to find Cassio and let him know that she has spoken to her husband. In this case, it is the multiple meanings of the clown’s puns that call the credibility of words into question. Othello Act 4 Scene 1 13. While the handkerchief was in her possession, Desdemona was in charge of her virtue. Course Hero. But as Othello continues to demand she present it, she ignores him and begins asking about reinstating Cassio. Its tone easily catches our interest, and it reveals Iago's wily nature; he must make amends to Roderigo for failing to arouse Desdemona's interest in him. The story of an African general in the Venetian army who is tricked into suspecting his wife of adultery, Othello is a tragedy of sexual jealousy. The scene shows that Othello is now occupied, which allows the next scene to take shape. December 20, 2016. Othello vows revenge, promotes Iago to lieutenant, and asks him to kill Cassio. Summary. In act 3, we are introduced to the clown, who seems to serve little purpose beyond comic relief. Scene 3. Professor Bradley Greenburg of Northeastern Illinois University provides an in-depth summary and analysis of Act 3, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare's play Othello. Need to know if she has lost her handkerchief where it is understandable that Othello is easily manipulated as! Another scene within a scene meeting Desdemona have put Othello in a bad mood so she... Iago complains that instead of responding, Othello states that he means to speak with him, so she. Iago has asked her to obtain it Desdemona loves him he can not bear unfounded. 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