Act 3 scene 3 BIG QUESTION 1

O beware, my lord, of jealousy!
It is the green-eyed monster, which doth mock
The meat it feeds on. (3.3.167-169)

These questions concern Act 3 scene 3 up to line 303.

opportunist

ɒpəˈtjuːnɪst/

noun

1. 1.

   a person who takes advantage of opportunities as and when they arise, regardless of planning or principle.

   "most burglaries are committed by casual opportunists"

strategist

ˈstratədʒɪst/

noun

1. a person skilled in planning action or policy. A person responsible for implementing a plan or strategy.

   "he is a cunning military strategist"

1. Reflect on Act 3 scene 3 so far. Do you think Iago is an opportunist or a strategist? You must give reasons for your response, with quotations from the play to support your opinion.  

Post your answer to your blog, and be prepared to share what you think with the rest of the class. (You can present your answer in whatever form you like, as long as it can be posted on your blog.)

Act 3 scene 3 BIG QUESTION 2

She did deceive her father, marrying you,

And when she seemed to shake, and fear your looks

She loved them most. (3.3.209-211)

For she had eyes and chose me. (3.3.192)

1. How do ideas about difference and otherness help Iago's manipulation of Othello in this scene? Consider:
1. How Othello is reminded of the fact that Cassio helped him to woo Desdemona (lines 70-74) (Remember, Othello is insecure about how he speaks compared to Italian people 'rude am I in my speech')
2. How Iago reminds Othello of how different he is to Desdemona (lines 232-242)
3. The reasons Othello thinks that Desdemona may fall out of love with him (lines 267-270)

Post your answers to your blog and be ready to share with the rest of the class. You can present the work in whatever format you wish, as long as it can be uploaded to your blog.

Act 3 scene 3 BIG QUESTION 3

I had rather be a toad

And live upon the vapour of a dungeon

Than keep a corner in the thing I love

For others' uses. (3.3.274-278)

1. How does this scene relate to Othello and hubris (excessive pride - part of the tragic elements)? How might Othello's pride mean he is more concerned by Iago's suggestions about his wife's possible infidelity? Consider:
1. How he reacts to Iago's suggestions once Iago has left, and what he says about Desdemona (262-281)
2. How Othello may feel, knowing that Iago seems to be holding back information about Desdemona - it seems like Iago knows something he does not

Post your response to your blog and be prepared to share your ideas with the rest of the class. You can present your work in whatever format you wish, as long as it can be uploaded to your blog.

Cast Iago

Imagine you are going to direct a stage production of Othello.

Choose an actor to play Iago.  You must clearly explain why you have chosen this actor, and why you feel the actor would be able to portray Iago effectively.

Post an image of your chosen actor to your blog, along with their name, and reasons for your choice.

Then Estelle, the agent from Friends, will call your chosen actor, and tell them the good news!*

You cannot choose an actor who has already played Iago, but it is useful to see who has taken on the role in the past.

Actors who have played Iago (Google images is your friend here):

Ewan McGregor
Kenneth Branagh
Ian McKellan
Rory Kinnear
Daniel Craig (about to play him)
Tim McInnerny
Christopher Eccleston
Josh Hartnett
Lucian Msamati





*No, she won't.  This is merely an exercise.  Estelle is (unfortunately) a fictional character.

Act 2 scene 3

These questions apply to Act 2 scene 3, lines 1-254. Answer them in full sentences, with quotations. Post to your blog. 

1. Iago switches from verse to prose when he speaks with Cassio, and Cassio follows. What does this indicate about the exchange? What might it indicate about Cassio? AO2 LFS
2. What language does Cassio use when speaking about Desdemona? How does it compare to the language Iago uses to sexualise her? Why do you think Iago is speaking about Desdemona in this way to Cassio? (lines 15-25) AO2 LF  
3. How does Iago persuade Cassio to drink? Use your close reading skills to analyse the language he uses. (Note how ‘but’ is used as an adverb here) AO2 LFS
4.  Why does Iago try to subvert the social order and bring others down to his level, rather than try to climb the ladder and raise himself up? Consider ideas about social order at the time AO3, context.
5. Othello says “My blood begins my safer guides to rule/And passion, having my best judgements collied/Assays to lead the way.” (lines 201-203) What does this quotation reveal about the effects of Iago’s knavery in this scene?

       BIG QUESTION: Why is this scene important in relation to the play as a whole?

     Consider:

       How Iago is presented

      What happens in the scene

      What this scene indicates about key characters