Blog Entry 21: Quote-Response Othello Act III

Quote:

“Where virtue is, these are more virtuous.
Nor from mine own weak merits will I draw
The smallest fear or doubt of her revolt,
For she had eyes, and chose me” (Shakespeare 987).

Response:

Othello does his best to refute Iago’s claims that his dear wife is less than faithful. He tries to rationalize by reminding himself that he has a weakness concerning jealousy, but that she had a choice among men and she chose him.

The words that captured my attention in this quote were “mine own weak merits” (Othello 987) in which Othello recognizes his own internal weakness, causing him to initially doubt his wife’s fidelity. He seems to be actively looking for a way to prove Desdemona’s innocence when later in this speech he declares, “Away at once with love or jealousy” (Shakespeare 987). Occasions are evident throughout this act in which Othello wrestles aloud with his inclination to resort to jealousy and doubt. He does not wish to believe the heartbreaking revelations he doomed to face.

The importance of this portion of Act III allows the audience to gain sympathy for Othello as he attempts to overcome his jealous tendencies through a series of rationalizations. He is trying; He loves his wife; and he does not wish to remain suspicious of her. The evidence, however, is surmounting and it grieves him to come to the acceptance that Desdemona may not be as faithful as he wholeheartedly wished her to be.