Although Othello’s character development is the most significant, Iago’s character becomes much more evident as he seeks to gain revenge on Cassio and become lieutenant. Iago has many edges to his complex character, which is shown in Act 3 Scene 3 when he plays on Othello’s insecurities and places thoughts in Othello’s mind about Desdemona and Cassio which in turn sparks fury to Othello and he demands revenge on Cassio. Iago raises suspicion on Cassio and Desdemona by asking Othello “Did Michael Cassio, When you wooed my lady, know of you love?” This is one of Iago’s first attacks and is in the early stages of Act 3 Scene 3 Iago knows this would irritate Othello and it also leads Othello to believing that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. Iago will even lie to see Othello break down to pieces. Iago says Cassio was talking in his sleep and saying, "Sweet Desdemona let us wary, let us hide our loves" Throughout Act 3 Scene 3 Iago as a character develops much more than in previous scenes because in this scene his overall plan to gain revenge is possible and therefore his character develops as he is much more open and places subtle hints in Othello’s mind and gradually builds them up until he achieves his goal.
Many critics believe that in Act 3 Scene 3 Othello develops the most as a character but I disagree, I believe that without Iago’s influence the end result would be totally different. In previous scenes Iago was constructing his plan and making minor actions to achieve his goal. In act 3 scene 3 Iago develops much more as a character by using clever techniques to persuade Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. Iago initially places doubt in Othello by making Cassio's exit seem suspicious, "Ha! I like not that…Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it.” Iago does this to arouse Othello's distrust and this is the beginning of Iago placing thoughts into Othello’s mind. Iago also holds back his thoughts and repeats his faith in Cassio's honesty, Iago also appears loyal to whom he maintains is his friend, "For Michael Cassio, /I dare be sworn I think that he is honest." This gives Othello no reason to believe Iago is lying about Cassio, as he has no motive to accuse him of seducing Desdemona. By confirming his loyalty and love for Othello, "My lord, you know I love you.", Iago encourages him to trust his suspicions and evidence of adultery. Another technique used by Iago is reverse psychology in which at one point in the scene he advises Othello against exactly what he wants him to do, overreact and become obsessed with suspicion. Iago often uses play-acting to further persuade Othello that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. By appearing shocked and offended at Othello's accusation he is lying, "O grace! O heaven defend me! Throughout Act 3 Scene 3 it can be seen that Iago develops as a character more than Othello and his persuasive techniques he uses to implant thoughts into Othello’s mind is what leads to Iago’s plan seem successful because he now has achieved his ultimate aim to become lieutenant and gain revenge on Cassio.
Not only is Act 3 Scene 3 important in the development of characters it also contains significant developments in themes involved in the play. Jealousy is perhaps the most apparent in Act 3 Scene 3. Jealousy is first presented when in the early stages of the play Iago is jealous because Othello chose Cassio to be lieutenant. There are also other hints of jealousy up to Act 3 Scene 3 such as Roderigo being jealous of Othello being with Desdemona, and it could also be argued that Brabantio is jealous that Othello has stolen his daughter. The most significant theme of jealousy however is evident in Act 3 Scene 3 in which Iago plants seeds of jealousy in Othello’s mind, Iago warns Othello by saying “O beware, my lord, of jealousy: It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on.” Here Iago is warning Othello to beware of jealousy as it has a disastrous effect, but ironically Iago is first motivated by jealousy. Othello’s downfall is that he cannot understand nature in the sense that he doesn't realise he is jealous and also he has not had to deal with a situation like this before. It is also noticeable that Shakespeare uses the colour “green” to represent jealousy and envy. The overall theme of jealousy begins with Iago and his motivation to become lieutenant, however jealousy develops through the play and Iago is able to make Othello jealous which is most significantly shown in Act 3 Scene 3 but it may also be worth recognising what point Shakespeare is trying to make with regards to jealousy. It could be seen that jealousy a monstrous emotion that becomes increasingly more destructive and intense. As jealousy is always growing, and Shakespeare could be showing the developing jealousy as the play gradually moves on.
Revenge could also be seen as having a significant effect in Act 3 Scene 3. The development of the theme revenge has mainly been through the character of Iago up until Act 3 Scene 3, Iago was first motivated by revenge over Othello for not giving him the lieutenancy position. In Act 3 Scene 3 Iago is able to plot a false sense of jealousy and thereby destroying Othello’s relationship with Desdemona and making Othello want revenge over Desdemona and Cassio. Othello ponders his decision to kill Desdemona and this is partially motivated by revenge. An example of Othello’s passion for revenge on Cassio can emphasised when he says “ O that the slave had forty thousand lives! One is too poor, too weak, for my revenge” Here we understand just how passionate Othello is to gain revenge on Cassio by emphasising how much he would like to kill him over and over, this is represented by the exclamatory that he wished Cassio had “forty thousand lives” The development of revenge is important in this scene because this is where Othello makes his decision to kill Desdemona and Cassio, which in turn will prove a catastrophic decision as it was Iago’s desire for revenge in the first place that had lead to Othello needing revenge and making the end results a tragedy. It could be seen that Othello wants revenge because he believes himself to be cuckolded by Desdemona and he feels he needs to defend his honour.
