othello act 2, scene 3 summary

The "inclining Desdemona" refers to her credulousness: she's inclined to believe what she hears, as she did with Othello's tales of adventure. Watch Queue Queue Thus begins Iago's larger strategy to make it appear that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. He must also measure how well he has succeeded thus far. Ironically, it is Desdemona's innocent attempt to reconcile Othello with Cassio that gives Iago the opportunity to wreak vengeance upon Othello, thereby causing the murder and suicide that bring this tragedy to its violent conclusion. Themes and Colors Key LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Othello, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Just as Montano says that the Turkish fleet of ships could not survive the storm, a third gentlemen comes to confirm his prediction: as his ship traveled from Venice, Cassio witnessed that the Turks lost most of their fleet in the tempest. He tells Cassio that he suspects Desdemona to be a temptress, but Cassio maintains that she is modest. Othello, however, thinks otherwise — as Iago was certain he would. Othello Summary. This thought is similar to his father-in-law's observation in Act I, Scene 3, when Brabantio spoke of "nature erring" — when Desdemona "unnaturally" chose Othello, a man not of her own race or culture. from your Reading List will also remove any Cassio and Iago, his second in command, will see to this. Iago reassures Roderigo that he hates Othello. . [and tasted] Cassio's kisses on her lips" (338-341). Desdemona realizes that Othello's answer is curt, and she emphasizes that this is an important matter and not a trifle that she is asking. Act 3, scene 1. Desdemona decides that she wants to advocate for Cassio. . Iago enters and, after a brief exchange with his wife, learns that she has the very handkerchief that he has longed for. Obviously, he will do what his wife asks, but his thoughts are on other things. Chief among Iagos reasons for this hatred is Othellos recent promotion of Michael Cassio to the post of lieutenant. Cassio notes that actually that's Iago's job, but sure, he's willing to help out. Chapter Summary for William Shakespeare's Othello, act 2 scene 3 summary. Have study documents to share about Othello? Retrieved December 25, 2020, from https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Othello/. Need help with Act 2, scene 1 in William Shakespeare's Othello? And yet, as Desdemona and Emilia enter, he is able to move from this state of abject hopelessness to a momentary appeal to heaven (278) when he declares that he will not believe that his wife is false to him. This scene shows his weaknesses. (421-26). First, he speaks only the word "jealousy" aloud, fixing it in Othello's imagination; then, sanctimoniously, he warns his general against this evil, this "green ey'd monster" (166), and refers to the "wisdom" of Othello, implying that the general is not one to be trapped by his emotions. The end of the soliloquy uses the image of a net enmeshing all Iago's victims. Desdemona, the well-meaning bride, has been talking with Cassio and tells him that she is sure that she can influence her husband in Cassio's behalf. They go in to dinner, and Emilia picks up the fallen handkerchief, one that her husband, Iago, often urged her to steal from Desdemona. Convulsed with introspection, he curses his black skin and his lack of social graces and also the fact that he is "into the vale of years" (266) (he is much older than Desdemona) — all these things, he fears, could turn a woman from her husband's bed. Find a summary of this and each chapter of Othello! Othello is enraged to the point where he is convinced that absolutely all of his suspicions are true. If he indeed finds her false, he'll "whistle her off and let her down the wind / To prey at fortune" (262-263) — that is, he will turn her out and make her shift for herself. And, furthermore, Cassio is so desperate to return to Othello's good graces that he'll do anything, believe easily a man of Iago's skill. Lovingly he sighs, "Excellent wretch! Iago in a very efficient manner deceives Othello into believing that it’s drunk Cassio who began the fight and Othello removes him from his official post. Themes and Colors Key LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Othello, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Iago bids the Moor not to rise yet, and he himself kneels and dedicates himself to "wrong'd Othello's service" (467). leet and law days (140) meetings of the court. Summary and Analysis. The Moor is obsessed with the need to prove or disprove Desdemona's fidelity. Find a summary of this and each chapter of Othello! Summary: Act II, scene i. Course Hero. He turns to his general and fawns over his master's distress, noting that Othello is "eaten up with passion" (391). Othello promptly concedes that Iago is honest, and the villain knows that for the time being he is safe. Iago leaves, and Othello contemplates his situation: He could be tricked, married to a woman who is already looking at other men, and he fears that he must wipe her out of his heart. Equally important is his strategy of ingratiating himself with those he's setting up. Again, Desdemona is most reassuring, stating that it is not in her character to violate a vow of friendship. Iago gets everyone drunk, hoping it will make Cassio do something stupid that will offend the island Out of seemingly idle curiosity, he asks if Desdemona was correct when she referred to the days when Othello was courting her; did Cassio indeed "know of your love?" If Iago fears something, it must be a concern "working from the heart" (123). The rich Roderigo has been paying Iago to help him in his suit to Desdemona, but he has seen no progress, and he has just learned that Desdemona has married Othello, a general whom Iago serves as ensign. Cassio has been sent to fetch him to an urgent meeting about the situation in Cyprus. jesses (261) straps for holding a hawk to the trainer's wrist. (171) tells us that already he has begun to suffer aching pangs of jealousy, even though he has vowed not to be of a jealous nature. In his imagination, he has seen "her stol'n hours of lust . After Cassio exits, Iago offers a soliloquy in which he suggests that he's only giving advice and that it's Cassio's responsibility to see what kind of trouble it might bring him. and any corresponding bookmarks? But again the ingenious Iago is quick to remind his master that, in reality, this was no more than Cassio's dream. Cassio will keep it and then Othello will see it in the ex-lieutenant's possession. mandragora (330) a soporific, or substance causing sleep. 25 Dec. 2020. Desdemona carries it because she treasures it deeply. . 21). Certainty has freed his mind from doubt and confusion. Othello wants Cassio dead, Iago agrees to do it, and then Othello wonders how to kill Desdemona. 20 Dec. 2016. Othello is a master of games on the battlefield, but he is innocent of social games. Emilia's comment is followed by another comment that is equally startling: Desdemona, speaking of Iago, says, "O, that's an honest fellow" (5). When shall he come? Get the eBook on Amazon to study offline. Othello Study Guide. Scene i: After crossing the sea, Desdemona, Emelia, Cassio, and Iago arrive at Cyprus. In it, Iago speaks carefully and at length with Othello and plants the seeds of suspicion and jealousy which eventually bring about the tragic events of the play. Brabantio's party arrives; Brabantio threatens Othello with violence and accuses him of using sorcery … Course Hero, "Othello Study Guide," December 20, 2016, accessed December 25, 2020, https://www.coursehero.com/lit/Othello/. Othello seems to be concerned with other matters. Perdition catch my soul, / But I do love thee! Course Hero. "I'll love no friend, sith love breeds such offence" (380). When the Moor and Iago enter, Cassio excuses himself hurriedly, saying that he is too ill at ease to speak with the general at this time. After Emilia leaves, he reveals the next step in his plan: he will go to Cassio's lodgings, leave the handkerchief there, and let Cassio find it. Othello is a tragic hero. Here, Iago seemingly holds reputation in the highest esteem; it is the "jewel of [a man's] soul" ("who steals my purse steals trash . Here, fate plays a major role in this tragedy; not even Iago wholly arranged this swift, coincidental confrontation of Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio, and certainly the pathos of Desdemona's position here is largely due to no other factor than fate. Act II: Scene 3. Desdemona jests to Cassio that she will "talk him [Othello] out of patience; / His bed shall seem a school . Othello bids Iago to give his regards to the Senate, and instructs him to meet later at the fortifications that are being built. The bestial images that Iago conjures up reek of base sexuality, for now Iago no longer needs to rely on innuendo. Upload them to earn free Course Hero access! Once he felt he was one of the "great ones" (273); now his pride in himself and in Desdemona's love for him is destroyed. As Desdemona leaves, Othello chides himself for being irritated by his wife. . . Othello sees himself as an old man, an old cuckold, one who has treasured Desdemona blindly, beyond reason. CliffsNotes study guides are written by real teachers and professors, so no matter what you're studying, CliffsNotes can ease your homework headaches and help you score high on exams. Chapter Summary for William Shakespeare's Othello, act 5 scene 2 summary. Emilia then notes that Othello and Iago are approaching. / to-morrow night; on Tuesday morn; / On Tuesday noon, or night; on Wednesday morn. There is only one thing now of which Othello is certain — the "exceeding honesty" of Iago. We meet two guys early on: Iago and Roderigo. In his denial, he shows himself most vulnerable. Iago urges Othello to be patient, arguing that he may change his mind, and there follows the well-known Pontic Sea (i.e., the Black Sea) simile, in which Othello compares his "bloody thoughts" (447) to the sea's compulsive current, one which never ebbs but keeps on its course until it reaches its destination, the junction of the Propontic and the Hellespont (453-460). In a metaphorical sense, perdition will soon catch Othello's soul, and chaos will soon replace order in his life. She sees no villainy in Cassio's face, she says; Cassio "errs in ignorance and not in cunning" (49). But schemer that Iago is, he knows what must be done to protect himself; he must feign another vow of honesty and concern for Othello's welfare. hold her free (255) believe her to be guiltless. Cassio declares he's forever indebted to her, and Desdemona again emphasizes that … (This too is ironically ominous; within an hour, Othello's notion of his marriage bed will be filled with false visions of Cassio.) The superb "farewell speech" that follows emphasizes how much Othello has lost — he, the model commander, the premier soldier — his "occupation's gone!" Iago tells Othello that he has seen Cassio wipe his brow with a handkerchief embroidered with strawberries; Othello recognizes this handkerchief as the one he gave to Desdemona. Here he prods Othello's memory to recall that Desdemona and Cassio have known each other for some time. "Othello Study Guide." Pioners (346) manual laborers doing the least desirable kinds of work. "All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. This dropped, unnoticed handkerchief should not escape our notice. It was one of her first gifts from Othello, and he has asked her to keep it with her always, and she has; in fact, Emilia has seen Desdemona, on occasion, kiss the handkerchief and talk to it. Once Othello is gone, Iago enters and joins Cassio on guard. Our summary works through Act 2 scene-by-scene to guide you through the complex plot that drives Shakespeare’s Othello. When Othello and Iago enter, Cassio, who is embarrassed because of his antics the previous night, embraces Desdemona and departs. Never more shall he find repose. Desdemona is unstoppable in her pleas to Othello to restore Cassio to his position. Othello is convinced that Iago is withholding something and asks for his ruminations, the "worst of thoughts / The worst of words" (132-133). He knows that man, being human, is flawed and subject to fears and irrational suspicions. Now we hear Othello in a soliloquy (258-277), and the range of the imagery he uses underscores the appalling change in his character. Summary: Act II, scene iii. In a conversation with Iago, in which Iago continues to imply that he knows something that he refuses to divulge, Othello denies that he would give himself over to jealousy. In Act II, Scene 3, Iago told Cassio that "reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving" (268-270). Here, compare this madman, incensed by Iago's poison, with the noble Moor who, only a few hours ago, repeatedly demonstrated such complete command of himself. Iago persuades Cassio to join the partying even though Cassio is unwilling because he cannot hold his drink. Course Hero. When we hear the Moor say, "I am bound to thee for ever" (213), we feel that indeed he has been irrevocably trapped. Othello voices his old fears that Brabantio was right, that it was unnatural for Desdemona to love him, that he was too horrible to be loved, and that it could not last. Synopsis of Act 2 Scene 3 Othello retires to enjoy his first night with his bride, leaving Cassio in charge of the island’s security. . and when I love thee not, / Chaos is come again" (90-92). . Next. One might profitably recall Iago's antithetical views on the same subject when he was talking with Cassio earlier. It begins with: "And what's he then that says I play the villain? We start out in Venice, Italy, land of love and water. By this time, Othello's suspicions will be ripe with Iago's "poison" (325), for "trifles light as air / Are to the jealous confirmations strong / As proofs of holy writ" (322-324). Neither the opium of poppies nor the distillation of the mandrake root will help him find sleep. Othello then turns on Iago with savage intensity and demands to see the proof of Desdemona's infidelity. Othello is ravaged by self-loathing, reduced to comparing himself to a dungeoned toad; he is cursed by a "destiny unshunnable" (275). Of ingratiating himself with those he 's willing to help him 'll intermingle everything he succeeded. Army, and bids Cassio to personally take care of the court neither the opium of poppies nor the of... 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