. . Cassio has been sent to fetch him to an urgent meeting about the situation in Cyprus. Iago's Conspiracy. Cassio suffers his loss of reputation and Iago falsely acts in a caring manner and asks him to approach Desdemona to help in reconciling with her husband. Sometimes the smallest, seemingly mundane scene can be critical to establishing a plot. Iago's evil has "set [the Moor] on the rack" (335), and Othello wishes in vain that he had remained blind to his wife's alleged infidelity. Neither the opium of poppies nor the distillation of the mandrake root will help him find sleep. Cassio speaks to Desdemona, asking her to intercede with Othello on his behalf. Iago warns Othello that there may be a legal attempt to break the marriage, but Othello knows his military worth to Venice and meets the Duke and Senators with confidence. / I prithee, name the time, but let it not / Exceed three days . Find a summary of this and each chapter of Othello! Hours ago, he was filled with the spirit of a young bridegroom; now he is reduced to ignominy. from your Reading List will also remove any He must also measure how well he has succeeded thus far. Then he bids Iago farewell, painfully asking himself why he married at all; it is obvious to him that "this honest creature [Iago] doubtless / Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds" (242-243). Removing #book# Iago stresses that Cassio is his "worthy friend"; in other words, one does not lie about one's friends and, therefore, the Moor must not exaggerate in his imagination what he hears. On the shores of Cyprus, Montano, the island’s governor, watches a storm with two gentlemen. 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. Here, Iago seemingly holds reputation in the highest esteem; it is the "jewel of [a man's] soul" ("who steals my purse steals trash . Read our modern English translation of this scene. Iago appears incredulous, and it is then that Othello turns on him with words that make Iago only too aware of the danger that faces him. Alone, Emilia picks up the handkerchief. A messenger enters, and confirms that the Turkish fleet was broken apart by the storm, and that Cassio has arrived, though Othello is still at sea. Emilia decides to have a copy made to give to Iago, but he enters, sees the handkerchief, and snatches it from her. Desdemona, the well-meaning bride, has been talking with Cassio and tells him that she is sure that she can influence her husband in Cassio's behalf. Act 2 Scene 1 Montano the Governor of Cyprus and two gentlemen discuss the tempestuous weather which has defeated most of the Turkish fleet. . Cornered, Iago produces the dream story: Cassio spoke in his sleep, embraced him, called him Desdemona, and cursed the Moor. He then asks the Moor to use his "free and noble nature" (199) to determine for himself the truth of the behavior between Desdemona and Cassio. Summary The herald reads a proclamation declaring a night of general festivities to celebrate both the destruction of the Turkish fleet and Othello's recent marriage. Othello wants Cassio dead, Iago agrees to do it, and then Othello wonders how to kill Desdemona. The scene ends with Roderigo, disappointed again, beaten, almost out of money, and determined to return to Venice. When we hear the Moor say, "I am bound to thee for ever" (213), we feel that indeed he has been irrevocably trapped. Course Hero. But when Emilia adds that her husband, Iago, grieves "as if the cause [for Cassio's demotion] were his" (4) and that his friendship with the Moor has been severed, even the most casual listener in the audience would probably gasp in disbelief. The Moor, he says, has taught him a valuable lesson. If he indeed finds her false, he'll "whistle her off and let her down the wind / To prey at fortune" (262-263) — that is, he will turn her out and make her shift for herself. Yet Iago must be sure that Othello is sufficiently mad; therefore, he makes reference to Desdemona's handkerchief with its intricate strawberry embroidery; Othello immediately remembers it as the very one he gave to his wife. He is easily convinced and terribly jealous. As Cassio shows what a ladies man he is, Iago plots ways to use that against him. She knows how deeply Desdemona treasures it, but she recalls that Iago has asked her many times to "steal" it. We meet two guys early on: Iago and Roderigo. He suggests Cassio appeal to Desdemona to intercede with her husband. This scene shows his weaknesses. Equally important is his strategy of ingratiating himself with those he's setting up. In his denial, he shows himself most vulnerable. Othello is enraged to the point where he is convinced that absolutely all of his suspicions are true. Themes and Colors Key LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Othello, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Emilia is present and adds her own good wishes for Cassio; she too hopes that Desdemona will be successful. To this, Othello stresses again that he will deny her nothing, but, in return, he asks for a bit of time so that he can be alone; he will join her shortly. At last Othello utters a true appraisal of Iago: "villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore" (359). Othello asks Cassio to personally take care of the celebration and control it. One cannot imagine more welcome words to Iago. When shall he come? happily (238) [Archaic] haply, by chance. It begins with: "And what's he then that says I play the villain? The characters in the play, however, with the exception of Iago, are blind to Iago's duplicitous nature. The fracas interrupts Othello's private time with Desdemona and he arrives angry, swiftly demoting Cassio and casting him from his service. Iago also urges Othello to recall that Desdemona deceived her own father by marrying Othello. He is consumed with doubt and suspicion. "All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. Iago tricks Cassio into drinking against his wish and Roderigo incites his anger and drive him into a fight. He snatches it from her and refuses to tell her why he wants it. Othello begins on a street in Venice, in the midst of an argument between Roderigo and Iago. In spite of Iagos service in battle and the recom… She tells Emilia so, and that she … (This too is ironically ominous; within an hour, Othello's notion of his marriage bed will be filled with false visions of Cassio.) Pioners (346) manual laborers doing the least desirable kinds of work. Understand every line of Othello. He also lies, telling Othello that he challenged them: “Nay, but he prated, and spoke such scurvy and provoking terms against your honor that with the little godliness I have, I did full hard forbear him.” Convulsed with introspection, he curses his black skin and his lack of social graces and also the fact that he is "into the vale of years" (266) (he is much older than Desdemona) — all these things, he fears, could turn a woman from her husband's bed. Iago enters, and Cassio tells him that he means to speak to Desdemona, so that she may clear things up with Othello. Act II: Scene 3. Brabantio's party arrives; Brabantio threatens Othello with violence and accuses him of using sorcery … In a very self-conscious … Othello dismisses love and calls for vengeance. This is Iago's "proof" that makes it perfectly clear to him that Cassio has had illicit relations with Desdemona. Othello promptly concedes that Iago is honest, and the villain knows that for the time being he is safe. The ships arrive one by one, allowing the arriving members to talk about Othello while waiting for his arrival. jesses (261) straps for holding a hawk to the trainer's wrist. Othello then grabs Iago by the throat, and commands him to come up with "ocular proof" (3.3.360) that Desdemona has been unfaithful or else be punished for causing Othello such emotional pain. Perhaps she is merely young and eager to have her requests granted, or perhaps she is too eager to prove to herself that her new husband is obedient; whatever the reason, she harries Othello about when he will reinstate Cassio as his lieutenant: " . . Previous Next Act 3, Scene 3 Cassio has explained the whole situation to Desdemona, and she promises to not rest until she's convinced Othello to reinstate Cassio as his lieutenant and renew their friendship. And it is at this point that Iago, who is ready to make the most of every incident and occasion, begins to taint Othello's belief in Desdemona's fidelity. / But he that filches from me my good name / Robs me of that which not enriches him, / And makes me poor indeed") (156-161). Here, fate plays a major role in this tragedy; not even Iago wholly arranged this swift, coincidental confrontation of Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio, and certainly the pathos of Desdemona's position here is largely due to no other factor than fate. . For 'tis most easy The inclining Desdemona to subdue In any honest suit: she's framed as fruitful As the free elements." I like not that!" This makes them both ripe for manipulation. Summary. The celebration gets under way. Othello Study Guide. We start out in Venice, Italy, land of love and water. Later, this handkerchief in Cassio's possession will be sufficient "proof" for Othello to abandon all faith in Desdemona. Iago tells Othello that Desdemona’s father and Roderigo are pursuing him. . nature erring from itself — " (227). This video is unavailable. Thus he lies to Othello again, saying that he is unwilling to speak further because he may be "vicious in [his] guess" (145). Desdemona decides that she wants to advocate for Cassio. When this advice is free I give and honest, Probal to thinking and indeed the course To win the Moor again? This important metaphor foreshadows the way the setting reflects a net, or trap, slowly closing on its victims. leet and law days (140) meetings of the court. Emilia then notes that Othello and Iago are approaching. Iago urges Othello to be patient, arguing that he may change his mind, and there follows the well-known Pontic Sea (i.e., the Black Sea) simile, in which Othello compares his "bloody thoughts" (447) to the sea's compulsive current, one which never ebbs but keeps on its course until it reaches its destination, the junction of the Propontic and the Hellespont (453-460). Obviously, he will do what his wife asks, but his thoughts are on other things. Summary. When Othello and Iago enter, Cassio, who is embarrassed because of his antics the previous night, embraces Desdemona and departs. His speech is fevered, sweeping and frantic; he believes that his wife has been unfaithful to him. When Desdemona offers to bind his aching head with her handkerchief, he declines because the handkerchief is too small. Then Othello and Desdemona retire to bed, the first night they will spend together since their marriage. And, furthermore, Cassio is so desperate to return to Othello's good graces that he'll do anything, believe easily a man of Iago's skill. Othello seems to be concerned with other matters. The Moor is obsessed with the need to prove or disprove Desdemona's fidelity. He knows that man, being human, is flawed and subject to fears and irrational suspicions. Thus begins Iago's larger strategy to make it appear that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Summary: Act II, scene iii. Iago enters and, after a brief exchange with his wife, learns that she has the very handkerchief that he has longed for. Professor Bradley Greenburg of Northeastern Illinois University provides an in-depth summary and analysis of Act 2, Scene 3 of William Shakespeare's play Othello. In his rage, the Moor declares that he will tear Desdemona to pieces. His cultivation of the nickname "Honest Iago" demonstrates how effective he is in getting his adversaries to participate in their own destruction. Othello leaves Cassio on guard during the revels, reminding him to practice self-restraint during the celebration. 25 Dec. 2020. His "Ha! Desdemona could not purposely have chosen a worse time to mention Cassio's name to her husband. Course Hero. Upload them to earn free Course Hero access! Othello then turns on Iago with savage intensity and demands to see the proof of Desdemona's infidelity. In this simile, Othello stresses his high status (as we might expect a tragic hero to do), identifying himself with large and mighty elements of nature. Cassio declares he's forever indebted to her, and Desdemona again emphasizes that … Need help with Act 2, scene 1 in William Shakespeare's Othello? . Understand every line of Othello. Course Hero, "Othello Study Guide," December 20, 2016, accessed December 25, 2020, https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Othello/. Never more shall he find repose. In fact, a conclusion is hardly necessary; for a mind as inflamed with jealousy as Othello's, the handkerchief itself is metaphor enough. Summary. Then as both rise, Othello "greets" Iago's love and delegates a test of Iago's loyalty: See to it that Cassio is dead within three days. Yet Iago is certain that Othello has already exaggerated to himself everything he has just heard. But schemer that Iago is, he knows what must be done to protect himself; he must feign another vow of honesty and concern for Othello's welfare. Here, compare this madman, incensed by Iago's poison, with the noble Moor who, only a few hours ago, repeatedly demonstrated such complete command of himself. In Act II, Scene 3, Iago told Cassio that "reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving" (268-270). In addition, she innocently refers to Cassio as a "suitor." 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