When Iago enters he does not use any romantic setting for his wife, like Othello does for Desdemona,
"How now! What do you here alone?"
This lack of affection could also suggest that Iago himself is scared of Emilia’s fidelity, as she is mostly with himself or Desdemona and never by herself. This type of attitude continues throughout their conversation as he says,
"A good wench, give it to me."
There is a momentary suspense for Iago as he wonders what his wife has for him. This gives the play an anxious atmosphere as the audience has to wait for Iago’s reaction, and this is important as they are always unaware of how he will react. Before he finds out what ‘thing’ it is he makes a joke saying that,
“it is a common thing –
To have a foolish wife.”
Through the use of the word ‘common’ Iago suggests ordinary and regularly occurring – this could also be an insult to Othello and Desdemona. The word ‘foolish’ suggest that Iago sees his wife as an object and a hindrance to himself.
Emilia appears to be used to these types of comments from Iago as she says,
“O, is that all?”
She seems to be sarcastic in this remark, which implies that she does not care what Iago thinks of her, and suggests that she expects more insults.
Iago appears to be unaware that others can act as he does. He demonstrates his shock when he thinks that Emilia stole the handkerchief from Desdemona,
“Hast stolen it from her?”
He seems genuinely surprised that Emilia could do such an act. However, she not steal it and asks Iago to have ‘faith’ in her. This indicates that even though she doesn’t care what he thinks she doesn’t want him to think that she stole it. Emilia does not want Iago to think that she could be that malicious, when in act Iago himself is this.
When Iago realises what Emilia has got he calls her ‘good wench’, an endearing term for his wife. This is one of few complementary comments he gives to his wife throughout the play. This is peculiar as he is always complimenting Othello and Desdemona, and he should be flattering his wife more than his commander.
Emilia asks an accepted question of a wife, and as a concerned friend of Desdemona,
“What will you do with’t, that you have so
earnest
To have me filch it?”
Emilia wants to know Iago’s plans, and I think that she feels that he will tell her as she is his wife. However, Iago is a secretive character and refuses to tell her by saying,
“Why, what is to you?”
This is very derogatory towards Emilia, as she feels that she deserves to know as she took it to be able to give it to Iago. He is offensive towards her again when he tells her to leave him alone. I think that Iago wants to be left alone in order to be able work out and consider the next part of his plan. Even though the handkerchief is such a small and modest item, in the right place it can cause significant damage to someone or something. Iago notices that if he leaves it in Cassio’s bedchamber he can convince Othello of the supposed relationship between Cassio and Desdemona.
Iago snatched the handkerchief from Emilia, which implies he was afraid that he couldn’t get it any other way, as Emilia was so reluctant to steal it in the first place. Emilia shows concern and does feel sorry for Desdemona - this is shown when she calls her a ‘poor lady’. Iago likes to dominate Emilia and in many respects uses her quite badly.
Throughout their conversation Iago's attitude towards Emilia has no respect. He doesn't talk to her like a husband but more like an employer. The language between Iago and Emilia in this scene portrays them not to be man and wife as they do not talk to each other as if they were married; they do not express love and affection for each other; there seems to be no trust or affection on either side. This is shown also when Iago comments earlier in the play,
“She puts her tongue a little in her heart
And chides with thinking.”
During Iago’s soliloquy he uses many references to medicine through the words ‘poison’, ‘distaste’ and ‘blood’. All these words refer to his plan and his vengeance against Othello. Iago uses many references to other subjects when he talks; this could be so he is understood easier. Due to these words, we understand that Iago knows that his plan is beginning work its ‘poison’ on Othello; Iago is a snake releasing his venom into innocent creatures. Iago makes his ambition by stating,
“Burn like the mines of sulphur.”
This illustrates that he wants Othello to suffer in a very painful way; Iago wants to torture him as much as he can. Iago makes another reference to medicine when he mentions ‘mandragora’, which is a plant which allows its drinkers to fall into a deep sleep. Iago is suggesting through this that Othello will never have peace of mind again, and will be awake from jealousy.
From Iago’s first lines in the play, Othello is established as someone who relies heavily on the advice of others. Ironically, Iago doesn't have to prove his own fidelity to Othello as Othello takes everything Iago suggests on faith and trust; when Othello should have faith and severe trust in Desdemona as his wife, and not in Iago who is the most opposite of trustworthy. On the contrary, Othello actually infers that Iago holds back more damning knowledge of Desdemona's offences out of his ‘great love’ for Othello,
“I swear ‘tis better to be much abused
Than but to know’t a little.”
It is ironic that Othello uses the word ‘abused’ which suggests wronged and deceived, as this is what Iago is doing to him. Othello’s language has gotten shorter and more sound more agitated as he continues to speak. His words are short and stubborn towards the end of the play,
“What sense had I of her stolen hours of lust?”
This sentence suggests that Othello has fallen into Iago’s trap; that he believes his wife has had an affair with Cassio. The word ‘stolen’ suggests that the hours he should have spent with her were taken by Cassio, it could also suggest the word ‘secret’ as her supposed meetings with Cassio were.
