In this scene Iago plants the idea of jealousy in Othello’s head before even saying that he thinks that Desdemona may be having an affair. Othello becomes even more curious when Iago tells him to “Beware my Lord, of jealousy”. As the audience realise that Othello is getting curious and worried before Iago has mentioned the idea of his wife cheating on him, this makes the scene seem more realistic. The audience however, know what is really happening and so may feel sorry for Othello, as they realise the influence that Iago’s words have on him.
In Act III scene iii Othello tells Iago “No, Iago, I’ll see before I doubt, and when I doubt, prove.” Othello has decided here that he trusts his wife and will only be convinced of an affair if he gets some sort of proof. This is an expected reaction to what Iago has been telling him so this makes the audience feel that this is more realistic, as they see Othello resisting the idea of an affair, instead of instantly believing Iago. However, Iago has a stroke of luck in getting hold of the handkerchief and by already making Othello doubt and by placing imagery in Othello’s head; he knows that Othello will be constantly thinking about Desdemona and Cassio. Othello demands Iago “give me the ocular proof”, Iago manages to supply this. Othello then feels more certain that his wife is unfaithful and as this is also an expected reaction, this makes the scene seem more realistic, as we see that Othello does not immediately doubt his wife on Iago’s words, but when Othello gets proof he believes Iago.
During this scene Iago uses his knowledge of Othello’s insecurities and reputation to convince Othello of an affair. Iago tells Othello that “I know our country disposition well” here Iago is implying that he knows the Venetian women better than Othello, because Othello is an outsider. He claims that all Venetian women commit adultery. Othello believes Iago because he is insecure of his position in Venice. We know that Othello has believed Iago as he says “Dost thou say so?” meaning “really?” Iago also adds that most women would go to someone of their own “clime, complexion and degree” which means that women will usually go to someone who shares their cultural heritage. However, when Desdemona “seem’d to shake, and fear your looks, she lov’d them most”, Iago is telling Othello that when Desdemona married him she knew that he was different from her and that she saw that there would be danger and rebellion, and this was exciting and alluring. Now that Othello and Desdemona are married, she could be feeling less of the danger and more safe. By having an affair with Cassio she has got the element of danger back. This makes the scene seem more realistic because the audience already knows that Othello has insecurities, and we can see Iago playing on those insecurities, in order to convince Othello of an affair.
Iago also mentions that he is worried that if he tells Othello what he thinks is going on, and then he will lose his reputation and be ruined like Cassio, whilst Othello will not gain anything from it. “But he filches from me my good name, Robs me of that, which not enriches him, and makes me poor indeed.” This is effective as it makes Othello feels that Iago is trying to be his friend and look out for him but is worried about how they will both turn out at the end. Othello becomes more curious and this makes the scene seem more effective because the audience sees Othello trying to find out what is going on and having suspicions that it is not good because of Iago’s reluctance.
Othello has previously told Othello “when I doubt, prove.” Othello now clearly doubts that Desdemona loves him “Why did I marry?” and so Iago realises that he will need some sort of proof to make Othello fully believe that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Here Iago has a stroke of luck. He has been asking his wife Emilia to steal the handkerchief that Othello gave to Desdemona for ages and when Desdemona puts it down, Emilia steals it because she wants some sort of love or affection from her husband. When Emilia presents the handkerchief to Iago he decides that he “will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin, and let him find it.” Iago then goes on to tell Othello that “such a handkerchief (I am sure it was your wife’s) did I today See Cassio wipe his beard with.” This would have been a major insult to Othello and this would make the scene seem more realistic as the audience would have recognised this as insulting behaviour. This also means that Cassio had to get hold of the handkerchief somehow and Othello’s (and Iago’s) theory is that Desdemona gave it to him.
Iago has to constantly change his tactics throughout this scene; he has to act as someone trying to tell Othello that his wife is unfaithful, and as a sympathetic friend. Othello tells Iago that he did not sleep well at all because he kept thinking about Desdemona having an affair with Cassio and he wishes that Iago had never told him. Iago replies “I am sorry to hear this!” However we know that he is not sorry to hear this as the audience has seen Iago plotting for this to happen. Othello then mentions that he is upset that he has thoughts of Desdemona’s infidelity, without any proof, he would rather “if the general camp, Pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body, So I had nothing known.” Othello wishes that Iago had not told him because he can’t get the idea of his wife having an affair off his mind. He tells Iago to “prove my Love a whore; be sure of it: Give me the ocular proof”. He wants Iago to show him that Desdemona is unfaithful. Iago replies with “Would you the supervisor grossly gape on? Behold her topp’d?” This puts the image of Desdemona and Cassio making love in Othello’s mind and so helps Iago to turn him against them. Whilst the audience sees that Iago is not Othello’s friend and is only his foe, “I hate the Moor”, they see how Iago acts as a friend to Othello and how Othello believes him to be his friend and this makes the scene seem more realistic.
Iago uses a lot of animal imagery to describe Desdemona and Cassio’s alleged affair in this scene. Because Othello and Desdemona’s relationship is very loving and tender this creates a strong contrast and so goes against everything Othello believes. Othello now feels that Desdemona really did only marry him for the danger and using animal imagery creates the illusion of the danger that Desdemona wants. Iago also goes on to tell an outright lie about Cassio sleep talking about “sweet Desdemona”. Iago goes on to say that Cassio was mistaking Iago for Desdemona whilst asleep, and Cassio was trying to kiss and make love to Iago, thinking that he was Desdemona. Othello gets very upset about this “O monstrous! Monstrous!” It is at this point that Iago mentions the handkerchief, this is the fatal blow. The handkerchief was the “first gift” that Othello gave to Desdemona and so Othello is very upset that Desdemona might have given it away to Cassio. The fact that Cassio is supposed to have wiped his beard with it makes the whole thing even less bearable for Othello as this would have been a major insult to Othello. This helps to make the scene seem more realistic because the audience see Othello getting upset and angry.
At this point in the scene, now that Othello is convinced that his wife is committing adultery, Othello and Iago seem to change places. Othello uses the same language as Iago used. Othello calls Desdemona a “lewd minx” and a “fair devil”. Using animal imagery shows us that he believes Iago and doesn’t trust Desdemona anymore. Othello probably finds it easier to use animal imagery as he still loves Desdemona and this probably distances him from her.
Iago starts giving Othello orders “Do not rise yet”, as he probably realises that Othello now believes him and he can get away with it. Iago makes a vow to seek vengeance against Desdemona and Cassio and Othello asks him to let him know “That Cassio’s not alive.” Iago replies “My friend is dead” meaning ‘It is done’.
I think that this scene seems realistic as Iago is very clever and cunning in his planning. He first plants the suspicion in Othello’s mind, then tells him what he believes, plays on his insecurities and gives him ‘proof’ yet still manages to sound like he doesn’t want to tell Othello and so Othello believes that he is a true friend and is trying to protect him. Also in real life people are quick to believe what newspapers and tabloids tell us and if our own friends told us something similar we wouldn’t instantly dismiss the thought if we trusted them because we’d believe that they were trying to protect us. In conclusion I think that Shakespeare manages to make this scene seem very realistic with his use of language and imagery in Othello’s mind.
