“By the world, / I think my wife be honest and think she is not. / I think that thou art just and think thou art not. / I’ll have some proof” (Othello, Act 3, Scene 3, lines 438-441).
I found that in the previous scene it was quite surprising that Othello had treated his wife in the manner that he did. However, it really surprised me when it escalated to this point. Othello is so quick to jump to conclusions that he never takes the time to actually think rationally for himself. By the end of the scene he still only knows what Iago has told him (Cassio talking in his sleep, and wiping his beard with her handkerchief). All of his actions follow in the footsteps that Iago has readied for him. However, even these two pieces of evidence that Iago has provided isn’t enough to go as far as to take revenge on them. None of this is solid proof as it is all based on Iago’s speculation. I even thought that by the time the two meet they would at least be able to talk about it and clear things up. However, I was proven wrong when Othello only tried to push Desdemona away. This surprised me as well because when I think of two people who are about to marry, I imagine the two to be close. I would imagine that if there was anything ambiguous, it would be easier to talk about. It seems like Othello is able to talk about his love for Desdemona everywhere except to her face. I can’t help but feel that everything was so rushed in deciding to take revenge against them. In addition, later on when he is finally able to confront Desdemona with the missing handkerchief, he fails to listen. Everything he hears from Desdemona goes in one ear and out the other. At that point in the play, Othello is so wrapped up in his delusions and fear that nothing can be done to change his mind.
