Iago

Iago’s plan at the end of Act One is to somehow persuade Othello that Cassio is sleeping with his wife. He explains that Cassio is easy to be jealous of, that he has an appearance and a personality that women would be drawn to, and that he is a man Othello would quickly believe had captured his wife’s affections. Because Cassio is attractive and because he holds the position Iago himself wants, convincing Othello that Cassio has cuckolded him will serve the double purpose of humiliating and disgracing Othello while freeing up the lieutenant’s position for Iago to fill.

There is much evidence to suggest that Iago will indeed succeed in his endeavor. The first piece of evidence is his wit, evidenced with his quick rhymes displayed for Desdemona and Emilia at a whim (pages 59-61). He also watches Cassio “court” Desdemona and Emilia both by kissing their hands and appearing to dote on them. Though he is only being courteous and deferent because of his high breeding, it could be interpreted by Othello that Cassio is being lecherous in his behavior. Another advantage Iago possesses is the purse and allegiance of Roderigo, both knowing and unknowing pawn in Iago’s schemes. By playing each man against the other, Iago is convincing each that they can trust him and that they cannot trust anyone else. In doing so, he is exploiting the weaknesses of those around him with great skill, and the particular faults in and situations of these men seem to be designed to give Iago a successful outcome to his plan. Iago seems to have much playing in his favor, though his wit would suggest that even without these advantages he could engineer Othello and Cassio’s downfalls.