Othello Act 3, Scene 3

Act 3, scene 3 summary

Emilia and Cassio speak to Desdemona to convince Desdemona to talk to Othello about Cassio.

‘Desdemona: Be thou assured, good Cassio, I will do all my abilities in thy behalf.’

Cassio then speaks to Desdemona and explains that whatever happens, he will remain her:

‘true servant’.

Othello talks to Iago about Cassio speaking to Desdemona.

‘Was not that Cassio parted from my wife?’

Desdemona speaks to Othello about forgiving Cassio.

‘Why, your lieutenant, Cassio. Good my lord,

If I have any grace or power to move you

His present reconciliation take’

Othello keeps prolonging speaking to Cassio.
‘no, not tonight’

‘I shall not dine at home,

I meet the captains at the citadel.’

They have a brief argument about Othello delaying it and Othello wanting to be left alone.

‘Othello: I will deny thee nothing! Whereon I do beseech thee, grant me this,

To leave me but a little to myself.’

Iago implants thoughts into Othello’s head of Cassio and Desdemona, and then of Cassio being dishonest.
 ‘But for a satisfaction of my thought, no further harm.’, ‘Why then I think Cassio’s an honest man.’, ‘Thou dost conspire against thy friend, Iago, If thou but think’st him wronged and mak’st his ear a stranger to thy thoughts.’

Indirectly suggests that Cassio and Desdemona may be seeing each other.

‘When you were wooing Desdemona, did Michael Cassio know about it?’

Othello begins to worry that Desdemona is seeing Cassio.
‘Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds.’

Othello speaks to Desdemona and says that he is ill ‘I have a pain upon my forehead, here.’

Emilia picks up the handkerchief.
 ‘(picks up the handkercheif) I am glad I have found this napkin, This was her first remembrance from the Moor.…