Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 9

Exploring Act 3, Scene 3 of ‘Othello’

I can explore the theme of temptation in Act 3, Scene 3.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
icon-background-square
New
New
Year 9

Exploring Act 3, Scene 3 of ‘Othello’

I can explore the theme of temptation in Act 3, Scene 3.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
View new resources
arrow-right

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Act 3, Scene 3 can be seen as the moment of peripeteia in the tragedy.
  2. The fragmented structure of the scene highlights the increasingly disordered nature of the play.
  3. The symbolic setting of the garden alludes to the biblical temptation in that it mirrors Iago's satanic role.
  4. Dramatic irony heightens the tension in Act 3, Scene 3.

Keywords

  • Peripeteia - a pivotal action that changes the protagonist’s fate from secure to vulnerable

  • Symbolic setting - a setting that symbolises a key idea or theme

  • Dramatic irony - a tragic technique in which the significance of a character’s words are clear to the audience but unknown to the character

Common misconception

Othello's downfall is solely due to his own faults.

Shakespeare carefully crafts Iago as someone who plays a huge role in Othello's downfall - acting like the serpent in the Garden of Eden.


To help you plan your year 9 english lesson on: Exploring Act 3, Scene 3 of ‘Othello’, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Ask students if Iago's presentation here links with any other moments of the play i.e. his diabolical nature.
speech-bubble
Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

You will need a copy of Shakespeare's 'Othello' for this lesson.

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What happens to Cassio in Act 2 Scene 3 of 'Othello'?
He proposes to Desdemona
He dies in battle
Correct answer: He gets stripped of his lieutenancy by Othello
Q2.
In 'Othello', what does Iago tell Cassio to do regarding getting his job back?
Speak to Othello about it immediately
Correct answer: Ask Desdemona to speak to Othello about it
Do not act upon it
Q3.
In 'Othello', what is Iago's motive when he tells Cassio to speak to Desdemona about his job and not Othello directly?
Correct answer: He will convince Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair
He thinks this is the best way to help Cassio
He wants to orchestrate Cassio and Desdemona falling in love
Q4.
''Pour pestilence into his ear." What does this quote from 'Othello' show about Iago's intentions with Othello?
He wants to give Othello good advice
Correct answer: He wants to poison Othello's mind
He wants Cassio to manipulate Othello
Q5.
What is dramatic irony?
When something in a play is particularly comical.
Correct answer: When the audience are aware of something that the characters are not.
When a character says something they do not mean.
Q6.
Look at the quotes from 'Othello', which quotes shows Iago as diabolical?
"And what's he then that says I play the villain?''
''For 'tis most easy The inclining Desdemona to subdue In any honest suit''
Correct answer: ''When devils will the...sins put on''
Correct answer: ''Divinity of hell''

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
What does the setting in Act 3 Scene 3 of 'Othello' symbolise?
tranquility
love
Correct answer: temptation
Q2.
How does Desdemona appear to be when she asks Othello to speak to Cassio about his job in Act 3 Scene 3 of 'Othello'?
nonchalant
angry
Correct answer: persistent
Q3.
In Act 3 Scene 3 of 'Othello', how does Iago make Othello believe he has his best interests at heart?
He says "Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady, Know of your love?"
He says "I am not bound to that all slaves are free to."
Correct answer: He says "It were not for…your good…To let you know my thoughts."
Q4.
How is dramatic irony shown in Act 3 Scene 3 of 'Othello'?
The audience know that Desdemona truly loves Cassio but Othello does not.
Correct answer: Othello believes he is indebted to Iago but the audience know Iago is dishonest.
Correct answer: Othello says "'Tis destiny unshunnable’’ and the audience know he will die.
Q5.
How can Act 3 Scene 3 of 'Othello' be viewed as the play's peripeteia?
Correct answer: Othello's view of himself and his future greatly suffer in this scene.
Correct answer: Othello has complete trust of Iago in this scene.
Correct answer: Othello becomes increasingly aggressive in this scene.
Desdemona kisses Cassio.
Q6.
Look at the quotes from 'Othello', what does Othello say that suggests he has internalised other people's prejudices?
Correct answer: ''for I am black And have not those soft parts of conversation''
''I am abused; and my relief Must be to loathe her.''
''I had rather be a toad...than keep...the thing I love For others' uses''