OthelloKey Scene

The proof – 3.3.439-448• O, that the slave had forty thousand lives!

One is too poor, too weak for my revenge. Now do I see 'tis true. Look here, Iago; All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven. 'Tis gone. Arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell! Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne To tyrannous hate! Swell, bosom, with thy fraught, For 'tis of aspics' tongues! IAGO Yet be content. OTHELLO O, blood, blood, blood!

Question – 2010, Q3

• Choose from a play a scene in which tension builds to a climax.

• Explain how the dramatist creates and develops this tension, and discuss the extent to which the scene has thematic as well as dramatic significance.

• Answer it

Key Scene Question

• The emphasis must be on the scene – structure your essay to show this.

• Othello by WS portrays the battle between good and evil, personified in the characters of Othello and Iago. The virtuous Othello must battle with the conflict between overwhelming jealousy and the untainted love he feels for Desdemona. Much of both Othello’s inner conflict and his luring into evil by Iago takes place in the key scene: Act 3 Scene 3.

Introduction

• Act 3 Scene 3 in Othello by WS is where the audience sees the climax of the conflict between good and evil. This battle is personified in the characters of Othello and Iago. The virtuous Othello must battle with the conflict between overwhelming jealousy and the untainted love he feels for Desdemona. Much of both Othello’s inner conflict and his luring into evil by Iago takes place in this vital scene.

• Shakespeare has successfully built a huge amount of tension before the scene even begins by clearly depicting how the two main characters represent good and evil.

• Dramatic irony allowing audience to witness Iago’s evil intentions.

• We are also made very aware of Othello’s vulnerability.

• Thus, when Iago makes the seemingly throwaway remark “Ha, I like not that!” the tension increases significantly.

• Suspense is further increased when we see Othello rapidly lose control of his emotions.

• The climax of this scene is when the audience is made aware how completely Othello is under Iago’s influence.

• The proof

• So, within a scene of less than 480 lines Shakespeare has effectively presented Othello’s rapid descent into insane jealousy. It is this which will lead to the play’s ultimate tragic conclusion where evil prevails.