Act 3 Scene 3, the change in Othello
             Othello begins the scene as the most respected character in the play, yet finishes with the audience watching an out of control and vengeful man. Act 3 Scene 3 is the pivotal scene in Shakespeare's tragedy as it contains the incredible change in Othello's persona, as he becomes convinced by Iago's tale of deceit and of Desdemona's guilt.
             The dramatic effects created in this scene for the audience are primarily due to the layout of the play where the audience is always in the position of having greater knowledge than the characters involved, this technique increases the tension and irony for the audience throughout the play but this is particularly evident in situations where Desdemona is oblivious to the conspiracies working their way through Othello's mind and destroying his soul. Othello is in great torment and as Desdemona joins him on stage without any knowledge of the thoughts that are running through Othello's mind, the audience now has a great sense of anticipation and dramatic tension as they watch Othello's reaction's to her, unknown to him, genuine innocence. Othello becomes obsessed with where the handkerchief, that he gave Desdemona as a gift, is, as Iago has planted the idea that Cassio now has it in Othello's mind. By letting this idea rankle with Othello, he has raised such doubts in Othello's mind that Othello is willing to rely on the whereabouts of this handkerchief in order to prove his wife guilty, 'Fetch me the handkerchief, my mind misgives.'
             The handkerchief continues to be a key dramatic device for the duration of the play, as Iago has planted it in Cassio's house giving Othello the proof he longs for, falling perfectly into Iago's plan. The audience is always aware of what will be happening partly through the use of Iago's soliloquy's which he uses throughout the play, his soliloquy in t...