Through Iago playing the innocent, Othello is given a false sense of security and trusts Iago, thus making him start to believe what Iago is saying could be true. However, Othello tells Iago he is confident of his wife’s virtue and that if he is to believe Iago he needs proof that what he is saying is true. Iago uses this to his advantage and, again seeming as though he is being a loyal friend, says: “I am glad of this, for now I shall have reason to show the love and duty that I bear you with franker spirit.” Iago uses Othello’s doubtfulness as an excuse to tell Othello more about Cassio and Desdemona without it looking overly suspicious. Iago then goes on to say that although he has no proof of Desdemona’s infidelity, Othello should watch her and observe how she acts around Cassio, and he will realise Iago is right. To emphasize the possibility of Desdemona being disloyal he also explains to Othello that he knows Venetian women are capable of deception, whereas Othello will not know this as he has not lived in Venice as long as Iago.
Furthermore, Iago reminds Othello that Desdemona deceived her father by marrying Othello, and so if she is capable of deceiving her own father, surely she could deceive Othello? Othello admits this is true and seems to reluctantly accept what Iago is saying. Iago now sees Othello is vulnerable, and tells Othello that he shouldn’t worry too much about it –therefore making Othello more aware that he should be worrying- and that all Othello should do is just be a little suspicious- which obviously he will be now.
Iago then makes another suggestion for Othello to contemplate. Othello said previously that “And yet how nature erring from itself”, meaning things don’t always happen as you’d expect them to. Iago uses, as an example of this, the fact that Desdemona chose to marry Othello- going against all the ‘natural’ aspects one would expect for a woman of her own ‘clime, complexion, and degree’ to go for in a man. This would make Othello consider the fact that it wouldn’t be impossible for Desdemona to want a relationship with a man more similar to herself.
Othello then asks Iago to leave, after asking him to tell Othello if he notices anything else, and to ask Iago’s wife Emilia to observe Desdemona. Iago leaves the scene for a few seconds, but then returns as if he has forgotten to mention something. He tells Othello again not to worry too much and reminds him that Cassio will probably approach him about getting his job back, so Othello should be prepared. Iago then says: “Note if your lady strain his entertainment with any strong or vehement importunity- much will be seen in that.” Here, Iago is telling Othello that if Desdemona pleads on Cassio’s behalf for his reinstatement, then Othello should see this as a sign of their relationship. Othello doesn’t know, however, that Iago has already told Cassio that he should try to get reinstated by asking Desdemona to plead on his behalf; therefore Iago has set a trap that he knows will succeed.
In this scene, we are also made aware that Iago has asked Emilia to steal Desdemona’s handkerchief (that Othello gave her) just because he likes it, or so Emilia thinks. When Emilia gives the handkerchief to Iago, his plan is revealed and we realise why he actually wanted it so desperately. He tells us that he will place the handkerchief in Cassio’s lodging, and let him find it. This means Cassio will be in possession of Desdemona’s handkerchief, which could look highly suspicious. Iago says that: “Trifles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writ.” This means that the smallest, seemingly insignificant thing can in fact make a huge difference to a jealous mind and be the ‘final straw’ in swaying their suspicions to certainty.
Iago then sees Othello heading towards him and happily notices Othello looks worried and tired, as if he has had no sleep. Othello seems to be angry and we soon see that he is extremely distressed as he is now convinced of Desdemona's infidelity. He says that he would rather be ignorant of it because it is causing him so much grief. He spends a while explaining how he was happy before he knew of it and now he does he has lost interest in his work. He then tells Iago he wants proof that Desdemona is a ‘whore’ before he is told anything else, otherwise he will have no reason to believe Iago and Iago will wish that he had been ‘born a dog’. He makes it clear to Iago that he needs to be one hundred percent sure that what he is saying is true- he needs proof that cannot possibly be doubted.
Iago dramatises his next lines by acting as if he is distraught that Othello thinks he would lie to him, and he can’t believe Othello is being so foolish as to doubt what he is telling him. He cries out that “To be direct and honest is not safe”, suggesting to Othello that of course he is telling the truth. This brings Othello back on Iago’s wavelength and he tells Iago that he doesn’t know what to believe anymore, he doesn’t know if Desdemona is as loyal as he was before so sure of, and he’s in turmoil over not feeling sure of anything anymore.
Then Iago says: “I see, sir, you are eaten up with passion. I do repent me that I put it to you. You would be satisfied?” He is asking Othello that if he gives him proof of Desdemona's disloyalty, will Othello be satisfied. Othello replies that yes, that would satisfy him, and Iago bluntly says: “…How satisfied, my lord? Would you, the supervisor, grossly gape on? Behold her topped?” Iago's wording here is frank and rather vulgar, as he is suggesting Othello watching another man have sex with Desdemona. However, this is not mere lack of tact, Iago phrases it like this on purpose to put Othello off, as of course Othello would not reply yes to this question. This means Iago has a better chance of ‘proving’ Desdemona's infidelity, as he doesn’t actually have to prove a sexual relationship to Othello (which he knows he cannot do anyway).
Iago continues questioning Othello as to what kind of proof he requires, and Othello replies: “Give me a living reason she’s disloyal.” This gives Iago an opportunity to use his quick thinking, and he indeed takes this opportunity. Iago makes up a story about how Cassio has been talking in his sleep lately. He tells Othello that Cassio talks as if he is talking to Desdemona and they are engaging in a sexual act. He even tells Othello of how Cassio ‘sighed’ and ‘kissed’, then cried ‘Cursèd fate that give thee to the Moor!’
At being told this, Othello is understandably horrified. He seems to take this account of a dream as proof, getting angry and already starts to suggest violent action when he says: “I’ll tear her all to pieces!” Iago now knows Othello is becoming surer of what Iago is telling him, and so he decides to inform Othello of another suspicion of his. He asks Othello about the handkerchief he sometimes sees Desdemona with, and after Othello confirmed that it was his first gift to her, Iago tells him that he saw Cassio wipe his beard with that same handkerchief that day.
This is the breaking point for Othello. He becomes increasingly angry and vengeful, making it clear that his mind is made up and that he is certain that both Desdemona and Cassio have been deceiving him. Iago asks if his mind will change, and Othello replies with “Never, Iago”. He then swears on heaven that his mind is made up and he is going to get his revenge. Iago tells him that he is willing to give up everything to serve Othello and will even help him in the ‘bloody business’ (murder).
Othello then tells Iago that he wants him to kill Cassio for him, and that he is going to go and think of ‘some swift means of death for the fair devil’. We are therefore told that both Desdemona and Cassio are going to be murdered.
It is only at the very end of the scene when Othello decides that Desdemona and Cassio must die. Throughout the scene Iago’s sly comments and suggestions build up inside Othello's suspicious mind, until he is completely convinced Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair, and the only way to prevent himself looking a Cuckold and a fool will be to have them both killed. Through small but effective hints and stories about Desdemona and Cassio, like Cassio’s supposed dream, Iago leads Othello to believe that there is no other possibility but that they are in a relationship. Iago’s malicious intent means he will say almost anything to make Othello believe that what he is telling him is true, fooling Othello into having complete trust in Iago. Iago not only skilfully traps Othello in his web of lies, but also makes it inevitable for Desdemona and Cassio to look suspicious one way or the other- like with the handkerchief or Desdemona pleading for Cassio’s reinstatement. This all adds to Othello’s growing doubt of Desdemona’s fidelity until he is certain that she, and Cassio, must die.
