Iago likes to make everyone think that he is good, trustworthy and honest so that no one suspects him. This is why Iago isn’t found out till right near the end of the play. In fact Iago is plotting against both Cassio and Othello in this scene and he manipulates them both. When Cassio leaves the set, Iago, after acting friendly towards Cassio begins to badmouth him to Montano: “I fear the trust Othello puts in him.” But he also tries to make out to Montano that he is concerned about Cassio: “I do love Cassio well: and would do much-” so as not to arouse suspicion in Montano.
When Montano and Cassio fight, this is exactly what Iago wanted so he makes no effort to break it up and sends for Roderigo to go and ring a bell and cause a disturbance so as to bring Othello down. Iago behaves very innocently and acts like he doesn’t want to betray Cassio when Othello asks him who started the fight: “I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth, than it should do offence to Michael Cassio.” Iago pretends to be reluctant about telling Othello the truth he also acts as if he doesn’t want Cassio to be punished: “But men are men: the best sometimes forget”- he is again acting innocent and loyal. He is acting as if he wants no action taken against Michael Cassio, but here he is manipulating Othello because he actually wants Cassio to be in trouble. He is also manipulating Othello into thinking that he has absolutely nothing to do with the affair and that he is being entirely honest. Othello obviously believes Iago as he says: “I know Iago thy honesty, and love doth mince this matter, making it light to Cassio,” before dismissing Cassio.
Iago, having succeeded in the dismissal of Cassio, then goes to actually comfort Cassio. Cassio is worried about his reputation and Iago comforts him: “You have lost no reputation at all, unless you repute yourself such a loser.” Cassio thinks that Iago has his best interests at heart but he is just being manipulated, as was Roderigo before him. Iago’s first plan of the night has worked so he then begins to manipulate Cassio again so as for his next plan to work. Shakespeare creates a manipulative villain here especially because just before Iago starts to persuade Cassio to talk to Desdemona (which he intends to lead Othello to think that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair) he was just called an honest man by Othello, who obviously trusts in him. But Iago is plotting against Othello. Iago takes advantage of Othello’s insecurity, Desdemona.
Cassio believes that Iago is being a good friend to him by persuading him to go and get his job back (“Our General’s wife, is now the General.” “Confess yourself freely to her: Importune her help to put you in your place again.”) Cassio also thinks that Iago is giving him good advice about speaking to Desdemona and getting his job back but all Iago has in mind is making Othello suspicious and dropping hints about Cassio and Desdemona. Here is another example of how Shakespeare creates a manipulative villain.
Iago is also indirectly manipulating Desdemona by making it look like she is having an affair with Cassio. He deliberately intends for Othello to see Cassio and Desdemona together when he is asking Desdemona about getting his position back. After Cassio and Desdemona have spoken Desdemona pleads with Othello to give back Cassio’s position, which arouses more suspicion in Othello about the two seeing each other. Iago is constantly dropping hints about Cassio and Desdemona possibly having an affair while still remaining innocent to Othello’s eyes. Iago manipulates Othello into thinking that Desdemona is pleading for Cassio because she loves him-Desdemona “repeals him, for her body’s lust, And by how much she strives to do him good.” Because Othello is already insecure about his relationship with his wife he doesn’t hesitate to believe the “pestilence” poured into his ear by Iago.
Another innocent victim who is manipulated by Iago is Roderigo. He tells him what he wants to hear. He makes him feel that there’s still a chance between himself and Desdemona. He manipulates him into provoking Cassio while Cassio is on guard- “I pray you after the Lieutenant, go.” Iago makes Roderigo think that he is doing this for himself but in fact it is just helping Iago’s own plan. When Roderigo is badly hurt and has lost all hope Iago still plays the good ‘honest’ man and attempts to ‘comfort’ Roderigo by telling him that his current rival is out of the picture so there is still hope-“And thou by that small hurt hath cashier’d Cassio” Iago persuades Roderigo to stay because he still needs his help, so again, Roderigo has been manipulated.
Shakespeare has created a manipulative villain in this scene very well. Iago manages to manipulate Cassio, Roderigo and Othello without arousing suspicion in any of them. They all think he is ‘good,’ ‘honest’ Iago and has every ones interests in heart but really he is a sly, manipulative character.
