Othello extract question plan: Act 3 scene 3

The extract is from Act 3 Scene 3 and shows a conversation between Emilia, Desdemona and Cassio, who are later joined by Iago and Othello. This takes place after Iago's soloquily in Act 2 scene 3, where he reveals his plans to make it appear as though Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Act 3 scene 3 is significant as we see Emilia try to put Iago's plan into action.

• Desdemona's bliindness is her tragic flaw 
• 'O, that's an honest fellow'
• 'I'll intermingle everything he does with Cassio's suit'
• 'If  do vow a friendship, I'll perform it to the last article'
• tragic flaw - her blindness to other people's reactions and emotions is her biggest tragic flaw
• she uses poetic and soft language
• link to: later in Act 3 scene 3
• Othello doesn't use pet names when speaking to Desdemona 
• 'no, not tonight' - blunt, her blindness to his emotions about Cassio enrages him 

• Iago: tragic villian 
• absent for most of the extract 
• 'Enter Othello and Iago' - only present for a short time in order to allow Emilia to put his plan into action for him
• 'Ha! I like not that' - indirect and points out that Desdemona and Cassio were together 
• 'Nothing, my lord: or if--I know not what' - secretive 
• link to: Act 5 scene 2
• 'Demand me nothing. What you know, you know. From this time forth I never will speak word' - remains secretive 

• Cassio aware of his tragic flaw
• 'unfit for mine own purposes'
• 'Exit Cassio' (entrances and exits/stage directions)
• leaves before Othello arrives - Cassio is aware of his place
• provokes sympathy in the reader 
• link to: Act 2 scene 3
• Othello 'fires' Cassio
• 'But never more be officer of mine'

To conclude, the extract is significant to the play as a whole because it shows the impact of Iago's plans and manipulation.