Iago's Reputation In Othello

A short time later, Iago sends Emilia to talk with Cassio, who pleads with her to bring him to Desdemona so that they can talk alone. Thereby he knowingly makes possible a situation where the two may be seen alone together. Then, while he is walking with Othello in the nearby area, Iago goes out of his way to suddenly act surprised and uncomfortable, basically calling Othello’s attention directly to the distant conversation between Desdemona and Cassio in an indirect way. When Othello asks is that was indeed Cassio he saw with her, Iago replies: “Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it, that he would steal away so guiltylike, seeing you coming.” (3.3.39-41). Then, once they reach Desdemona, she almost immediately brings up reconciling

Of course, this manipulatively entices Othello to keep insisting that Iago tell him what’s wrong. Iago keeps “reluctantly” dropping more and more obvious hints, even telling Othello that he would “hate” to ruin a man’s reputation. Here, ironically, the man he has in mind is, of course, Cassio and his reputation has already been tarnished because of Iago. He also advises Othello: “O, beware, my lord, of jealousy. It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” (3.3.178-80). In doing so, he actually brings up jealousy for the first time in their conversation, invariably steering Othello’s thinking in that direction through his fake, reverse-psychology warning. Once the irresistible foundation of suggestion is built up adequately, he finally admits his “suspicions” to Othello that Desdemona is cheating on him with Cassio: “Look to your wife; observe her well with Cassio. Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure.”

For a moment, he actually lashes out at Iago and threatens him, warning that he better be sure about his accusations. Iago takes the opportunity to act taken aback and offended, as if he was just trying to be an honest and helpful friend, dramatically exclaiming: “O monstrous world! Take note, take note, O world, to be direct and honest is not safe.” (3.3.393-94). This whole act is just an attempt to make Othello feel bad for doubting poor, honest Iago and most likely actually has the effect of reinforcing Othello’s trust in Iago, if anything. Out of all the false fronts Iago puts on for various people, none is as much of an antithesis to his true character as the elaborately noble one he puts on for Othello. Iago offers as the proof that Othello demands a lie about hearing Cassio talking in his sleep about Desdemona and brings up the handkerchief, which he says he saw Cassio wipe his beard with. This finally totally enrages Othello. Manipulatively paradoxical as always, Iago, having incited him to this point, actually tells him to calm down and that he may yet change his mind about the situation, which Othello says is now impossible. Iago pledges his undying loyalty to Othello and promises to kill Cassio within three days. After Othello confronts Desdemona about the handkerchief and she is upset and bewildered by his anger, Iago feigns total ignorance and