The Importance of Act 3 Scene 3 to William Shakespeare's Othello

The Importance of Act 3 Scene 3 to William Shakespeare's Othello

In this essay I am going to investigate the importance and

effectiveness of Act 3 scene 3 considering its significance in terms

of plot, characters and theme and its dramatic power.

Throughout this scene there are striking examples of the main themes

of the play, one of these being appearance and reality.

Iago fools everyone in the play into believing he's honest.

No one even suspects him of treachery, until the final act when

Roderigo realizes how badly he's been fooled.

Iago proves that evil intentions can be masked behind a facade of

honesty.

This theme emerges in other characters such as Brabantio who is

deceived by Desdemona's reaction to Othello, assuming she fears him

when she truly loves the Moor.

Othello suspects that Desdemona is unfaithful, despite her innocent

looks. Othello also feels he's being deceived by Cassio, whom he

trusts and who appears loyal.

Even Bianca, who is suspected of dishonesty, is ultimately seen as a

sincere and caring woman.

Finally, Othello, considered a barbarian by many in the play, is

gentle and noble until driven to near-madness by the cruel

manipulations of his most trusted "friend."

Shakespeare dramatizes the problem by showing the consequences of

trusting someone whose mask of honesty is perfect, almost to the very

last.

Also, another major theme in this act is Jealousy.

Othello represents how jealousy, is one of the most corrupting and

destructive of emotions.

It is jealousy that prompts Iago to plot Othello's downfall; it is the

tool that Iago uses to arouse Othello's passions.

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...e for Desdemona is so great that it is better to die than

to live without her.

She blames herself for even her own death.

The calculated destruction of her reputation ends in violence

perpetrated against her when she is unjustifiably murdered.

However he immediately sees what he has done, but cannot take it back.

“Roast me in sulphur! Wash me in!”

At the outset of this scene, we as the audience are unaware of how the

play will end, however by the end of the scene we are left in no doubt

that whatever outcome it has, it can only end tragically.

The devastating scene comes to an end when Iago tells Othello;

“My friend is dead. ‘Tis done at your request.”

Therefore, it would seem to be that Act 3, scene 3 is the pivotal

scene in which everything turns round, and nothing can ever be the

same again.