Author Question: In this act, what circumstantial evidence is added to Othellos case againstDesdemona? What will ... (Read 59 times)

lidoalex · **on:** Jul 20, 2018

In this act, what circumstantial evidence is added to Othellos case againstDesdemona?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

In this act, what scenes (or speeches) contain memorable dramatic irony?

What will be an ideal response?

phuda · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 20, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Iago tells Othello to hide and observe while he gets Cassio to talk about his affair with Desdemona, when in fact he is drawing Cassio out about his relationship with Bianca. In the midst of this, Bianca herself arrives and flings Desdemonas handkerchief at Cassio. Desdemona expresses her pleasure in the news that Othello has been summoned to Venice and Cassio appointed in his stead; she feels that way because she thinks that Othello is acting strangely under the strain of his professional duties and the enforced rest will help to restore him, but Othello understands her to mean that she is pleased that her lover has been promoted.

Answer to Question 2

Iagos I am a very villain else (IV, i, 125) could be considered a classic instance, as could his comment to Lodovico about Othellos shocking behavior: It is not honesty in me to speak / What I have seen and known (IV, i, 263264). At IV, ii, 137140, Emilia speculates that some lying villain has turned Othello against Desdemona, not realizing that the villain in question is the man shes speaking to. Also in Scene ii, Iago speaks more presciently than he knows when he tells Roderigo, If thou the next night following enjoy not Desdemona, take me from this world with treachery and devise engines for my life (lines 212213); Roderigo does not, of course, enjoy Desdemona, and Iago is to be taken from this world (though not with treachery).