The character of Othello does have a soliloquy in this play. After Iago has firmly planted suspicion and doubt in his mind, Othello dwells on the possibility of Desdemona being unfaithful (lines 262-83). Othello even begins with a half-truth. He still mistakenly believes that Iago is honest, but Othello is correct in realizing that Iago is exceptionally knowledgeable and insightful about human psychology (“human dealings” in line 264). The remainder of the speech has two distinct parts: (1) in the first part (lines 264-72), Othello still believes that he is superior to the effects of jealousy. He thinks that the reason for this is perhaps because he is an African (black in line 267). That is, he comes from a harsh climate and the environment forced him to be strong and tough in order to survive. Or, perhaps, a second possible reason is that he is older (“vale of years” in line 270). Othello is thinking that older people are wiser and better able to control their emotions. Of course, Shakespeare himself knows differently (see, for example, the old speaker Will of the Sonnets). In the first part of this speech, Othello concludes that if Desdemona is guilty of infidelity, he will not feel the pangs of jealousy. Instead, he will hate (loathe in line 272) her and send her away.
But as soon as Othello does think this, then the emotion of jealousy begins to work its poison on him. The second part of the soliloquy begins with “O curse of marriage” (272). Othello feels cursed. He feels the pain and torment that jealousy can bring. Othello then uses the metaphor of the toad. He states that he would rather be a toad in a dungeon (or prison) than a cuckold. A toad is considered to be one of the ugliest and most loathsome of creatures. Moreover, prisons at that time left much to be desired: they were filthy and unsanitary. Prisoners would often be locked in small rooms for years without any bathroom facilities. The prison cells would become dirty and disgusting, and the stench would be suffocating. Othello, then, is stating that he would rather be the worst creature in the worst place in the world than to be a cuckold.
Othello concludes in his soliloquy that to be a cuckold is the fate of aristocrats (“great ones,” as opposed to commoners or “base” ones: lines 277-78). All noble men suffer from this “plague” (277). The concluding remark is another example of antifeminist literature. Othello is taking a single instance of infidelity and applying it as a general statement about life and as a criticism against all women. And, quite ironically, this one instance of infidelity does not even exist. Desdemona is not being unfaithful. Othello, now, is no longer thinking rationally.
At this point in the play Othello is almost completely convinced that Desdemona is unfaithful. He does not want to believe it, but the emotion of jealousy is so strong that he cannot think sensibly about the situation. When Desdemona does approach him (line 283), Othello is hot and feverish. He also complains of a pain on his forehead: from invisible cuckold horns (according to medieval superstition, a cuckold would grow horns on his head). Desdemona tries to wipe Othello’s sweaty forehead with a handkerchief (or napkin), but he pushes the napkin aside and it drops to the floor. This napkin is a special one, embroidered in a fancy and delicate manner. Othello gave this as a gift to Desdemona, and it plays a significant role in the plot.
Emilia picks up the napkin and gives it to her husband (line 320). Iago intends to take the napkin and place it in Cassio’s room. The napkin will then become the evidence, or the proof, that Iago will present to Othello. And the irrational Othello will believe that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona.
Othello appears a few moments later, and his emotions are already starting to drive him crazy. He cannot sleep (lines 334-37), and he becomes irrationally angry at Iago. Othello realizes now that knowledge of his wife’s infidelity can make him irrational (lines 343-38). Moreover, Othello cannot concentrate on or even think about his work. In an impassioned speech (lines 350-62), Othello indicates that he is a ruined man. His present condition makes him unfit to be a general. All he can think about is Desdemona.
Othello’s confused mind is reflected in his words to Iago:
I think my wife is honest, and think she is not.
I think thou art just, and think thou art not.
(389-90)
But Othello still demands proof. So, Iago fashions another lie. Iago, who shares the officers’ quarters (their room in Cyprus) with Cassio, tells Othello that Cassio talks in his sleep (lines 420-30). Iago then claims that, in his sleep, Cassio talked about kissing Desdemona and having intercourse with her. Then, Iago mentions the napkin (handkerchief in line 439). This is enough evidence to convince Othello. He begins to talk about getting vengeance (line 451). But Iago wants to make sure that Othello is convinced, and he thinks that Othello “may change” his mind (455). However, Othello is so enraged at this point that that he cannot think about anything else except taking some kind of action against Desdemona and Cassio.
To prove that he will not change his mind, Othello kneels down (that is, he gets down on his knees as if he is praying) and makes a vow or oath to enact a full and complete revenge (lines 456-65). Iago then kneels down as well and vows to serve Othello in this task. Othello then commands Iago to kill Cassio at some time during the next three days (line 475-76). Iago accepts. And Othello now makes Iago his lieutenant (line 481). This kneeling scene forms a dialogic relationship with the second scene in the fourth act [this relationship will be discussed later in a section on Act IV, Scene 2].