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Summary 2020 A* AQA ENGLISH LITERATURE OTHELLO SCENE ESSAY - [Act III Scene III]
2020 A* AQA ENGLISH LITERATURE OTHELLO SCENE ESSAY - [Act III Scene III]
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2020 Othello - William Shakespeare Read theextract below and then answer the question.
Explore the significance of this extract in
relation to the tragedy of the play as a whole.
ACT III SCENE III
2020
Othello - William Shakespeare Read the extract below and then answer the question. Explore
the significance of this extract in relation to the tragedy of the play as a whole. Remember to
include in your answer relevant analysis of Shakespeareʼs dramatic methods. [25 marks]
The method in which Iago uses to manipulate Othello.
The shift in power-dynamics between Othello and Iago as Othello begins to be the
submissive one in the conversations – asking questions/echoing Iagoʼs speech and
becoming hesitant and uncertain.
The idea of appearances versus reality and men being what they seem. Iago being called
honest 12 times in the play by Othello.
Othelloʼs mention of “chaos” in relation to tragedy – Ancient Greek – and his own personal
tragedy.
The scene comes from Act III Scene III also known as the temptation scene in Othello where
Iago begins to awake the “green eyed monster” within Othelloʼs mind through subtle dualistic
language embedded with sexual innuendos set to stir paranoia within Othello. Through this the
scene begins with an immediate sense of the end demonstrating the beginning shift in power-
dynamics between the general and his ancient alongside showcasing how successful Iago is at
“play(ing) the villain”. The scene is pivotal through its incorporation of the elements of tragedy
to foreshadow build Othello into the “perplexed” state in which he murders Desdemona. In this
essay I will therefore explore the significance of this extract in relation to the tragedy of the play
as a whole.
The extract begins immediately after Iagoʼs beginning line of “Ha – I like not that” which
introduces uncertainty into Othello which is amplified by the unfortunate fate of Desdemona
right after calling Cassio “a suitor” where the double meanings embed in Othelloʼs mind;
“Nothing, my lord; or if – I know not what”. This extract further demonstrates Shakespeareʼs use
of dramatic irony and hyperbole to create double meaningʼs within language. In relation to this it
is Iago in this extract which uses the technique of double meanings alongside is language to
cause Othello to become anxious. The use of dashes and break offs in the speech show Iago
feigning the desire to speak in a similar way in which he did in Act II Scene III after Cassio stabs
Montano. Through this he exhibits immense intelligence showcasing how he is the adept
Machiavellian villain of the play who can cause harm through his words, but also knows when to
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