Othello 4 Blog

Act three, scenes three and four of Othello show Iago at his most duplicitous point so far into the play. These scenes feature Iago and Othello discussing Desdemona and Cassio as Iago manages to convince Othello that the two are having an affair. Throughout the two scenes, Iago acts as though he is trying to help Othello, but he is actually furthering his plan for destruction. He starts by simply asking questions about Cassio that caught Othello’s attention: “Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, know of your love?” (III.iii. 94-94). When Othello questions Iago’s curiosity, Iago at first refuses to describe his inner thoughts. Iago claims that he does not wish to revel his thoughts because he fears they might be incorrect and cause trouble: “Utter my thoughts? Why, say they are vile and false, as where’s that place whereinto foul things sometimes intrude not?” (III.iii. 140-142). Eventually, Iago gives in and tells Othello about his theory about Desdemona and Cassio. Iago continually stresses that it is just an idea, and he has no proof, while also emphasizing his love for both Othello and Cassio. His “attempts” at lessening Othello’s suspicions  only fuel them more and more as Othello becomes convinced that his wife and former lieutenant are having an affair. Later, after Desdemona drops the handkerchief that Othello gave her, Emilia picks it up and gives it to Iago, who plans to use it to incriminate Cassio and Desdemona. When he returns to Othello, Iago begins to give more “evidence" of the affair: “In sleep I heard him say ‘Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary: let us hide our loves’” (III.iii. 422-423). Othello, trusting Iago, becomes completely convinced of this lie and orders Iago, his new lieutenant, to kill Cassio. When Iago is with Desdemona, Cassio, and Emilia later, he tells them that Desdemona must continue to approach Othello about restoring Cassio’s lieutenancy and friendship, but this is actually more “evidence” of the affair to Othello, since Iago told him that this would happen if there was an affair: “Note if your lady strain his entertainment with any strong or vehement importunity. Much will be seen in that” (III.iii. 256-258). Throughout scene four, Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio grow farther apart as Othello’s mistrust in them grows. At the end of this scene, it is revealed that Iago has left Desdemona’s handkerchief in Cassio’s chambers. These two scenes show Iago at his most duplicitous point so far because he is constantly acting as though he is trying to help Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio, but he is really just growing the seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind and intentionally giving Cassio and Desdemona bad advice.