| “Therefore be merry, Cassio,For thy solicitor shall rather dieThan give thy cause away” | Who said it: Desdemona Who are they speaking to: Cassio What is the importance: She is talking about persuading Othello to give Cassio his job back, however she is going to pester him more than persuade. |
| “How now, my lord?I have been talking with a suitor here,A man that languishes in your displeasure” | Who said it: Desdemona Who are they speaking to: OthelloWhat is the importance: Desdemona directly asks Othello how he is, says that she is talking to a ‘petitioner’ and that he (Cassio) is suffering from Othello’s anger. |
| “Why, this not a boon.’Tis as I should entreat you wear your gloves,Or feed on nourishing dishes, or keep you warm,Or sue to you to do a peculiar profit…” | Who said it: Desdemona Who are they speaking to: Othello What is the importance: Desdemona tells Othello that he is not doing her a favor; it is the same as her telling him to eat nutritious food and for her to give him gloves when he feels cold, or do something that’s good for him. |
| “Men should be what they seem; Or those that be not, would they might seem none” | Who said it: Iago Who are they speaking to: Othello What is the importance: Iago is telling Othello that people should be what they appear to be. If they aren’t honest then they shouldn’t look like they are. |
| “Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy.It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mockThe meat that feeds on.” | Who said it: Iago Who are they speaking to: Othello What is the importance: Iago tells Othello to be wary of jealousy, the green-eyed monster, because it will mock its victims. |
| “I am glad I have found the napkin.This was her first remembrance from the Moor.My wayward husband hath a hundred timesWooed me to steal it, but she so loves the token-“ | Who said it: Emilia Who are they speaking to: Soliloquy What is the importance: I’m glad I found this handkerchief. It’s the first keepsake the Moor gave her. |
| “I had been happy if the general camp,Pioneers and all, had tasted her sweet body,So I had nothing known. Oh, now, foreverFarewell the tranquil mind” | Who said it: Othello Who are they speaking to: Iago What is the importance: Othello is saying that if the whole camp slept with Desdemona he would not care as long as he didn’t know about it and now his peace of mind is gone. This indicates that Othello has fallen completely into Iago’s trap. |
| “‘Tis not a year or two shows us a man.They are all but stomachs, and we all but food;They eat you hungerly, and when they are fullThey belch us.” | Who said it: Emilia Who are they speaking to: DesdemonaWhat is the importance: Men are all the same, but it takes longer than a year to see their true colors. This is important as it shows that Emilia’s relationship with Iago is poor, it also shows Emilia’s true perception of men. |
| “I would not be delayed. If my offense be of such mortal kindThat nor my service past, nor present sorrows,Not purposed merit in futurityCan ransom me into his love again” | Who said it: Cassio Who are they speaking to: DesdemonaWhat is the importance: Cassio is talking to Desdemona all about how he wants his job back and he is at a loss because he does not know what to do to get him and Othello on good terms again. |
| “This is some token from a newer friend.To have felt absence now I feel a cause.Is’t come to this? Well, well. | Who said it: BiancaWho are they speaking to: CassioWhat is the importance: Bianca is jealous and thinks Cassio is cheating on her. She asks Cassio if the handkerchief was given to him by another woman. |
| What does Cassio do to try and appease Othello? | He sends singers and musicians to sing and play music under his window. |
| How does Othello react to Cassio’s gesture? | He sends a clown servant of his to tell the singers and musicians to go away. |
| What does Iago tell Cassio after the clown leaves? | Iago tells Cassio that he will send for Emilia immediately, so she can hear Cassio’s appeal and take it to Desdemona. Iago will then figure out a way to distract Othello so Cassio can make his case to Desdemona in private. |
| What news does Emilia bring to Cassio? | Emilia tells Cassio that Othello and Desdemona have been talking about his situation. And while Desdemona defended Cassio, Othello feels he cannot reinstate Cassio without angering Montano and by extension, the entire population of Cyprus, regardless of his feelings for Cassio. She then takes him inside to talk to Desdemona. |
| What happens in Scene 2? | Othello has Iago deliver some letters for him, then goes to check the town’s defenses. |
| What does Desdemona promise Cassio? What does Cassio do afterward? | Cassio has made his appeal to Desdemona and she promises she will do all she can to have Othello reinstate him. Cassio then gets antsy and anxious, and quickly runs off just as Othello and Iago return. |
| What does Iago say to Othello that harms Cassio? | Othello wonders aloud if he had just seen Cassio running off. Iago, in his usual fiendish way, assures Othello that Cassio would not run away like a guilty person at the sight of Othello, arousing Othello’s suspicions. |
| How does Othello react to Desdemona’s request that he forgive Cassio? | Othello tells Desdemona that he will absolutely speak to Cassio, but avoids setting a time for the meeting when Desdemona asks him. Desdemona gets upset with Othello for being weird about it, but Othello tells her that he just wants some alone time to think. |
| What are two reasons that Bianca is upset with Cassio? | 1. Cassio hasn’t paid any attention to her.2. Cassio has another women’s handkerchief. |
| What comments does Emilia make about men? What might be her reasoning for this sass? | Emilia says men only use women and then they get rid of them. She may be sour because of the way her husband treats her. |
Act III Othello
August 20, 2019