The jealous husband

(III. iii. 345-357)Suspecting Desdemona of infidelity appears to be enough to make Othello question his career, his reputation, and to distress his ‘tranquil mind’. His entire occupation – his military prowess and everything he staked his identity on – is gone.Questioning his identity and his faith in the world is perhaps the strongest clue that Othello will, ultimately, suffer the most in this tragedy.You may also find it useful to do the following:I had been happy, if the general camp,
Pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body,
So I had nothing known. O, now, for ever
Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content!
Farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars,
That make ambition virtue! O, farewell!
Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump,
The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife,
The royal banner, and all quality,
Pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war!
And, O you mortal engines, whose rude throats
The immortal Jove’s dead clamours counterfeit,
Farewell! Othello’s occupation’s gone!
- Watch a clip of Hugh Quarshie and Lucian Msamati as Othello and Iago in Act 3 Scene 3, the same scene in which Othello later delivers the above speech, as Iago grows the seed of jealousy in his General’s mind.
- What makes Othello trust Iago and how much of this is dependent on interpretation?
- What strategies does Iago use to move Othello from this point to the end of Act 3 Scene 3 and incite jealousy?
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