Utters ‘It cannot be.’
Another tact Iago uses in a persuasive manner is the use of instruction, after all he now owns Roderigo’s ear and he can increase his impression to the scale of unified decision making, where by he says ‘Drown Thyself?’ telling him to be a man and that the idea of killing himself is out of the question, an obserdedety, he even goes as far as pointing out, the low creatures that may well be drown, ‘cats and blind puppies.’ Not a fine Venetian. This is also something that can be picked up from Iago’s persuasive character, the structure and patterns used, which is exactly what he does with the cats and blind puppies up against a man. Taking something of high worth and putting it by something of low worth. Or what Iago goes on to practice, in his second speech of the extract. By showing Othello’s inevitable disastrous situation and aliening it with what Roderigo should be doing in the mean time, to make him self appear as a champion person, a victory if wooed, ‘Fill thy purse with money.’
This simple structure Iago puts into practice would appear as of great success. This will be explored further. Notice though that Iago breaks the pattern slightly, of talking about what Roderigo should be doing and swiftly inserts himself into the scenario, ‘I could never be stead thee that now,’ securing himself into the loop, which is something he is very good at, and is incidentally teaching Roderigo to do. The pattern is shown in textbook style soon after this by saying, go to battle like a man stay in close eye and, ‘put money in thy purse. It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the moor.’ He tells this part with some vigour along side a portion of ‘isn’t it obvious’ running in his voice. He then volunteers information of the mind of the moor, exclaiming that he is shifty, this now of great news to the ear of Roderigo, that not only will Desdemona be tired of the moor, but the moor will be tired of her! This comment not of course before the structured pattern Iago offers, being, ‘fill thy purse.’ ‘These moors are changeable in their wills.’ Followed by more tangible images put in to his head, of ‘luscious locusts,’ and the discontented image of ‘acerb as the coloquintida.’
After reassuring Roderigo even more of the impossible relationship, he moves on to exactly what Roderigo wants to hear. ‘if sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt an erring barbarian and a super-subtle Venetian be not too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thou shalt enjoy her.’ Iago is carefully painting an ideal ending for Roderigo with Desdemona. Now if this is not enough he hastily pulls up against this vision the cowards act of drowning himself. Another asset to the pattern used in Iago’s speech, putting something here, of great desired aligned with a disastrous ending once considered.
For-want-of-better words, pep talk issued by Iago is conceived of as a great success, as this suicidal man now only seeks support, ‘wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend on the issue?’ leaving Iago the simple task of reassuring Roderigo of his support.
Finely, from a different angle this is in direct conjunction with the Venetian attitude portrayed of this marriage, being a disgrace, only with Iago’s words making it more apparent. The inevitable ending being forced due to this, ‘it was a violent commencement in her, and thou shalt see an answerable sequestration.’
