1. Act 2 Scene 3:
Othello’s justice
• Othello enters to restore order and
wants to find out who started the
fight
• Iago: “I had rather have this
tongue cut from my mouth than it
should do offence to Michael
Cassio.” (LIES!!)
• ‘Reluctantly’, Iago tells how Cassio
started the fight – Othello sacks
Cassio on the spot!
Hold, for
your lives!
Honest Iago, that
looks dead with
grieving, speak, who
began this? On thy
love, I charge thee.

2. • Cassio moans about the loss of
his reputation, believing it to be
the most important part of
himself – Iago tells him this is
not important saying
“Reputation is an idle and most
false imposition”
• Iago suggests that Cassio
approach Desdemona about his
reinstatement – her good nature
and influence over Othello will
get his job back.
• Cassio leaves wishing goodnight
to “honest Iago”
Reputation, reputation,
reputation!

3. Iago’s soliloquy (end of Act 2 Scene 3)
• Iago reveals his plan to lie about
Desdemona and Cassio having an
affair – Desdemona pleading to get
Cassio his job back will make things
worse for all three of them!
• Will put ideas about D and C into
Othello’s head:
“I’ll pour this pestilence
into his ear”

4. Act 3 Scene 3
• Desdemona promises Cassio that she will
help him
• Iago notices Cassio leave Desdemona’s room:
“Ha! I like it not” (Draws attention to Cassio’s
suspicious exit)
• Desdemona pleads for Cassio’s job back
• Iago drops more hints about Cassio but
insists he is honest “Men should be what
they seem” (Irony!)
• “Good name in man or woman, is the jewel
of their souls” – Saying reputation is
important, unlike in the last scene when he
said the opposite!
• Warns Othello of jealousy: “Beware my lord
of jealousy, it is the green-eyed monster
which doth mock the meat it feeds on”

5. Iago’s wife Emilia picks up
Desdemona’s dropped handkerchief –
“her first remembrance from the
Moor” mentioning Iago has asked her
“ a hundred times to steal it”
Act 3 Scene 3
• Othello assures Iago he is not a
jealous man and he is confident
that Desdemona is faithful
• Iago warns him to watch
Desdemona to Cassio & that she is
capable of deception: Remember,
she lied to her father in order to
marry Othello!