I’m working on a Philosophy question and need a sample draft to help me study.

Comment on act 3 scene 3, lines 335-363. The passage is below. Don’t waste your post on copying big chunks, and don’t do summary. Explain very quickly what is going on, what Othello’s point is, and comment on it — don’t just say what he states, but instead, talk about what that reveals about him. Link the scene to other episodes in the play, how it connects and how it compares to other moments.

OTHELLO

Avaunt! Begone! Thou hast set me on the rack.

I swear ’tis better to be much abused

Than but to know ’t a little.

IAGO How now, my lord?

OTHELLO

What sense had I of her stol’n hours of lust?

I saw ’t not, thought it not; it harmed not me.

I slept the next night well, fed well, was free and merry.

I found not Cassio’s kisses on her lips.

He that is robbed, not wanting what is stol’n,

Let him not know ’t, and he’s not robbed at all.

IAGO I am sorry to hear this.

OTHELLO

I had been happy if the general camp,

Pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body,

So I had nothing known. O, now, forever

Farewell the tranquil mind! Farewell content!

Farewell the plumèd troops and the big wars

That makes ambition virtue! O, farewell!

Farewell the neighing steed and the shrill trump,

The spirit-stirring drum, th’ ear-piercing fife,

The royal banner, and all quality,

Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!

And O you mortal engines, whose rude throats

Th’ immortal Jove’s dread clamors counterfeit,

Farewell! Othello’s occupation’s gone!

IAGO Is ’t possible, my lord?

OTHELLO

Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore!

Be sure of it. Give me the ocular proof,

Or, by the worth of mine eternal soul,

Thou hadst been better have been born a dog

Than answer my waked wrath.