So Shakespeare immediately presents Othello as a very positive character. This is significant as it allows the audience to compare and contrast the characteristics of Othello now to how he is presented later in the play.
On the other hand there is Iago, a very devious and manipulative character. He first appears in the play when he is in the middle of an argument with Roderigo about not gaining a promotion that instead is given to Cassio. So by presenting Iago in such a conflict Shakespeare gives a negative first impression of Iago, as he seems jealous and argumentative, thus allowing the audience not only to compare his characteristics with Othello’s but also to identify any changes in him further on in the play.
At the start of Othello, Iago makes very clear to Roderigo that apparent cause for his hatred of the general. His lack of promotion to lieutenant leads him to declare “…be judge yourself, whether I in any just term am affined to the Moor.” Though this is not a large motive to judge him as a villainous character, we do come to see that he is however disingenuous and disloyal. This is shown to the audience when Iago declares “…I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at. I am not what I am.” This quote suggests that he is false, and by using this quote Shakespeare is informing the audience that he is not what he seems. Therefore the audience is being warned or being made aware of what’s to come.
In act 1, scene 2, Shakespeare presents Iago pretending to be Othello’s loyal supporter. He tries to make Othello aware of the fact that he is trustworthy as he states, “I lack iniquity sometimes to do me service.” This implies that he was claiming to be too nice even for his own good at times. Othello falls for this and refers to him as “Honest Iago.”
Shakespeare also presents Iago as being cynical, without the ability to love which is implied by “where of I take this, that you call love, to be a sect or scion.” He’s furthermore presented as being disrespectful to women as he refers to them as a “guinea-hen.” So one of the major differences that the audience would notice between Iago and Othello is that Iago does not believe in equality whereas Othello does.
In order to introduce the first and main theme that will dominate the play, which is sexual jealousy, Shakespeare uses Iago. This is done during Iago’s soliloquy where he revels that “After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear that he is too familiar with his wife.” The significance of this is that Iago is the reason Othello begins to doubt his wife. Therefore Shakespeare is making the audience aware of who the real villain is and who the victim is.
But Act 3, scene 3, is a very crucial scene as it is where Shakespeare begins to show the audience the changes that are occurring in the relationship between Othello and Iago, and how they are affecting both the characters.
This scene begins with Desdemona informing Cassio that she will do her best to convince Othello to give Cassio his job back. But as soon as Othello arrives, Cassio departures. The reason for this may have been the fact that he felt ashamed of what had happened that caused him to lose his job. Othello’s notices that Cassio left as soon as he arrived but doesn’t seem to think much of it. But then Shakespeare shows the first factor that allows the audience to evaluate their relationship, It is when Iago says “Ha! I like not that.” This immediately makes Othello question what he said and what he meant by it. But it is Iago’s response that shows the audience that though Othello feels Iago is trustworthy, Iago is disloyal towards Othello. His response forms suspicion in Othello’s mind as Iago proclaims “…sure I cannot think it that he would steal away so guilty-like, seeing you coming.”
Shakespeare then makes the audience aware that the one thing that could possibly bring an end to his world is if he stopped loving Desdemona. Iago then once again attempts to plant the seeds of doubt and jealousy in Othello mind. But Shakespeare first shows the audience the conniving side of Iago as he informs Othello “My lord, you know I love you.” He say’s this in order to convince Othello that he is trustworthy. Iago then begins by stating that “I think that he is honest.” By using the term “think” Shakespeare is showing that Iago has the upper hand, he has control over Othello’s mind as he succeeds in making Othello doubt whether Cassio is one-hundred percent honest or not. The audience also realises that Iago is two-faced. This is implied when he declares that “Men should be what they seem.” Where as the audience would be aware that previously Iago stated “I am not what I am.”
Iago then comments on “proposed matches.” For Othello this would just be Iago commenting on his thought. But the audience would realise that Iago is making a racist comment. Iago’s true implications are that Desdemona made an unnatural choice by falling in love with some one that is black. So Shakespeare once again makes us aware of their relationship as Iago now has enough control over Othello to make him feel bad about himself, as though he’s not good enough for her. Iago also comes between the relation ship that Othello has with Desdemona as he advices Othello to keep a close eye on her, and notice how she pleads for his reinstatement.
When Othello is on his own he proclaims that Iago is of “exceeding honesty,” though the audience is aware that Iago is cunning and manipulative. At this point the audience would be aware that Iago has all control over Othello so the relationship is based on Iago having the upper hand. We see how everything that has been said by Iago has affected Othello as he has now got an unstable mind, “If she be false, O then heaven mocks itself; I’ll not believe it.”
Shakespeare then begins to show how their relationship is once again changing as Othello begins to feel that he is being mentally tortured by Iago, “Thou hast set me on the rack.” At this point we also see a different side to Othello as he begins to show his anger and threatens Iago to “Give ocular proof…’ or ‘…answer my wicked wrath!” The audience now begins to see the affect Iago is having on Othello. When Othello says “Nay stay, thou shouldst be honest,” Shakespeare presents him in a state of confusion. This would arise a state of sympathy from the audience towards Othello.
Furthermore, Iago begins to manipulate Othello’s mind as he forces him to create the visual image in his mind of Desdemona “topped.” His response to this is “Death and damnation! O!” This once again implies that Iago is succeeding in ruining Othello life. Shakespeare presents their relationship as being very awkward as Othello trusts and respects Iago’s honesty, but this for Othello is unrequited. Iago begins to explain to Othello that he should believe what he is saying as it is impossible to see Desdemona in that situation. But Othello still insists that Iago gives him “a living reason she’s disloyal.” But by this point it is too late, Iago had already destroyed Othello. Othello doubts everyone except Iago and when Iago sell the story of Cassio dreaming of Desdemona to Othello, we the audience realise it is too late.
