Firstly, Iago plants seeds of suspicion in Othello’s mind, and continues to water and nurture them throughout the whole scene, until he has completely ruined Othello. For instance, Iago’s first words in Act III Scene 3 are: “Ha! I like not that”. He is clearly trying to imply that something is going on between Desdemona and Cassio. He is doing this in a very sly manor. This clearly illustrates the fact that one of Iago’s techniques is to arouse suspicion.
“I know our Country Disposition well:
In Venice they do let God see the pranks
They dare not show their husbands; Their best conscience
Is not to leave’t undone but keep’t unknown”. Here Iago plays on Othello’s insecurities. He makes a brief statement saying that Venetian women’s consciences don’t tell them that having affairs is morally wrong only that they must keep them well hidden from their husbands. Othello knows all too well that Desdemona is a Venetian woman and Iago is using this to imply that since Desdemona is a Venetian woman, what would excuse her from acting the way the majority do. The only reason this technique is so effective is because Othello does not come from Venice but instead a land far away. He feels like an outsider at this comment and knows little of Venetian custom and tradition. As Iago so boldly states he knows “our country disposition well” and as far as Othello is concerned he is a trustworthy source of information.
“Look to her, Moor, if thou has eyes to see
She has deceived her father and may thee”.
Iago says “She did deceive her father marrying you, and when she seem’d to shake and fear your looks, she’d love them most”. This clearly means to remind Othello of Brabantino’s earlier warning. If she deceived her father, the man who had loved and cherished her all her life, what would stop her from deceiving her husband? The audience at this point suspect that Othello would be quite distraught at this proposition.
By repeating certain words Iago also emphasises their meaning to Othello. “Honest” is an important word because it is the centre of the conversation. Is Cassio honest? By repeating this word it may seem to Othello that Iago thinks he’s not. “Think” could also be an important word. Think leaves no room for doubt, you are not certain he is honest.
Iago later behinds to hold back his thoughts and lets Othello try to dwindle him down into saying them. By Iago playing this sly game, it makes Othello more intrigued to know his thoughts; he uses Othello's curiosity against him. Another technique Iago uses to warn Othello is jealousy.
“Oh beware, my lord, of Jealousy,
It is the green-eyed Monster
which doth mock the meat it feeds on”.
Whilst pretending to maintain his integrity by not telling Othello, Iago now releases monster. He had said nothing that would indicate that Othello should have reason to be jealous, but by warning him now of jealousy, he suggests that there may be something about which to be jealous. Iago does this to show his pretence companionship towards Othello, as if he's looking out for him when really it's quite the converse.
This however builds great tenseness towards the audience because the audience don’t know what Othello is thinking right at this moment due to the fact that Iago has planted the seed of jealousy into Othello’s mind leaving him confused.
One of Iago's final techniques in undermining Othello's trust in Desdemona is his use of imagery to 'sicken' Othello. Iago uses images of "goats" and "monkeys" to represent Cassio and Desdemona and describes them having a sexual relationship together. Iago also is using this speech to think of a way that he can prove to Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are in fact involved in a sexual relationship together. Iago also is using this speech to think of a way that he can prove to Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are in fact involved in a sexual relationship together. Some may describe Iago as 'Wasting time' here and planning what he will do and say to Othello next. Iago 'cooks up' the perfect plan, this involves Cassio sleep talking. As Iago has Othello's full trust, Othello does not even consider this not to be true. Iago confesses to Othello that "in sleep I heard him say 'Sweet Desdemona'. Iago also tells of Cassio's sexual advance on him to further anger Othello. Iago has now given Othello the perfect evidence and as Othello now trusts Iago completely he will believe it. The last dramatic device which Iago uses to make Othello feel even worse is add the handkerchief into the agenda. He comments on a handkerchief which he has seen in Cassio's lodgings, Iago also gives Othello the picture of Cassio using this important gift and family air loom to Othello, also his first gift to his wife Desdemona to "see Cassio wipe his beard with". This image angers Othello completely. However this will be a time of great tension for the audience as they wait with bated breath to see what will happen next. They will reflect on how cruel the torturer is being to his victim and be fascinated but appalled by how clever Iago is –having everything planned so neatly. They would very much want Othello not to jump to conclusions.
This is where Act III Scene 3 abruptly ends, with Iago swearing to serve Othello in everything. The scene finishes with Othello declaring he will kill Desdemona and appointing his newfound companion Iago as his lieutenant:
“Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her, damn her!
Come, go with me apart. I will withdraw
To furnish me with some sift means of death
For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant”.
This ending is very unexpected and almost infuriating as it leaves the audience in shock because only they know that Othello is making the wrong decision, all due to Iago's malicious and scheming ways. The scene is also quite upsetting for the audience, as the reality of Desdemona's deliberate death is just around the corner, and they know she is the innocent, yet a condemned victim. Othello also instructs Iago to kill Cassio too, as in Othello's mind Cassio is as much to blame as his dishonest wife; they are both works of pure evil.
CONCLUSION
The key moment in this scene where the audience knows for certain that Othello is convinced is when Iago belittles Othello and Desdemona's relationship, regarding it in its most instinctive form, a sexual relationship. Othello however approaches it as serious and loving relationship, "… Nor to comply with heat the young affects in me defunct and proper satisfaction; But to be free and bounteous to her mind." That is why the audience is particularly amazed that Othello resorts to animalistic images too. Othello refers to Desdemona as "haggard", a hawk that cannot be tamed. He also refers to himself as a "toad"; this is a far cry from the man who stood in front of the Duke and other important men of Venice declaring his love. Shakespeare uses this technique to show us that Othello has lost his confidence and is no longer self-assured. As he becomes more and more angry his control through his speech begins to slip, no longer does he speak in long flowing sentences but now in exclamations, which hints at his loss of capability to loose his temper. He is also speaking in a similar way to Iago and this may symbolise that he has come to think in the same manner. These images show the audience the depth of Othello's jealousy, the woman he loved he now criticize.
However the most effective method that Iago uses to convince Othello of Desdemona's infidelity is by using one of Othello's most treasured possessions and telling Othello that his wife, Desdemona has given it away to her lover, Cassio. The handkerchief was the first gift he gave to Desdemona, so it possesses enormous sentimental value to Othello. Finding out that Desdemona has given it away shows her as inimical. It must have hurt and angered him, after all the woman he loves and is married to has given away without a care for him, would almost certainly anger him, for in Othello's mind she has thought the handkerchief to be a meaningless piece of cloth. This is enough proof for Othello to be convinced that Iago is telling the truth and for him to kill both Desdemona and Cassio.
