As the scene progresses Othello and Iago are left alone. Iago commences his plan to destroy Othello. Othello has already started to lose his composure he refers to ‘chaos is come again.’ Meaning that before his marriage to Desdemona his life was in chaos until he met her. He was content with his life and now his life has been broken once more. Iago senses this and starts to weave his lies and questions Cassio’ s relationship with Desdemona ‘but for satisfaction of my thought – no further harm’. So when Othello tells him that Cassio knows Desdemona well, this causes interest and forcing Othello to query him. Iago says ‘acquainted’ to make the relationship sound much more intimate. When Othello tells Iago that Cassio used to play messenger between him and Desdemona ‘between us very oft’ Iago replies with ‘Indeed!’ Usually this would not create suspicion but as there is an explanation mark, it shows that the tone Iago used was deliberate. Iago uses repetition again as a language technique; he answers Othello’s questions with questions ‘honest’ and ‘think?’ Othello exaggerates by saying that if Iago echoes him he must be hiding something terrible from him ‘…some monster in thy thought…’ It also shows that he is too trusting ‘if thou dost love me, show me though thought.’ Iago immediately responds with a reassuring comment. At this point the audience knows that Othello shouldn’t trust Iago and he is doing the complete opposite ‘ I think thou dost: and for I know thou’rt full of love and honesty…’ Iago then tries to promote Cassio’s honesty, but he uses words like ‘I think’ and ‘men should’ that are repeated again and this shows doubt for Cassio and Iago as a hypocrite. We then see Othello’s character as a pessimist ‘…give thy worst of thoughts the worst of words.’ Iago uses subtle hints that he is going to say something shocking ‘though I am bound to every act of duty, I am not bound to that all slaves are free to…vile and false.’ Othello then use a language technique of talking in third person to try and persuade Iago to tell him what he thinks so it seems less personal ‘against thy friend.’ Iago tells Othello that it his responsibility to interpret his information to decide whether it is just or not as he has a tendency to be a pessimist ‘I perchance am vicious in my guess…nature’s plague to spy into abuses…jealousy shapes faults that are not- that your wisdom then…’
A common technique that is used by Iago is repetition, which is used throughout the scene he also uses personification ‘…the meat it feeds on…’ implying that jealousy is an evil person with cannibal characteristics. He also refers to ‘cuckold’ meaning a man whose wife has been unfaithful i.e. Desdemona and shows ignorance is bliss. He then contradicts himself ‘who dotes yet doubts, suspects yet fondly loves!’ Othello tries to defend his wife ‘to says my wife fair, loves company, is free of speech, sings, plays and dances well.’ He tries to justify to himself that Desdemona chose him, so their relationship must be proper ‘nor from my own weak merits I draw the smallest fear or doubt of her revolt for she had eyes and chose me.’ However Othello is the first to mention finding proof of Desdemona and Cassio’s affair, showing a weakness about his relationship and Iago picks up on this ‘I speak not yet of proof.’ Iago then advises Othello about what he should do next ‘look to your wife, observe her world with Cassio wear your eyes thus, not jealous, nor secure.’ He then forces the issue by saying ‘she did deceive her father, marrying you’, this would underline the cause in Othello’s mind. Iago then provokes Othello so that he shows what this new knowledge has affected him ‘dashed your spirits’, ‘ I do see you’re moved and ‘I see you’re moved.’ So Othello admits to him that he is ‘not much moved’, and uses negatives to describe a positive comment showing a lack of self esteem, ‘I do not think but Desdemona’s honest’. Iago then starts talking about how Othello and Desdemona are complete opposites in race, colour and status leading to doubt in Othello’s mind’ of her own clime, complexion, and degree, where to we see in all things nature tends.’ Causing Othello to question the validity of his relationship as he views her as better then himself; not equal. So all the time these thoughts are affecting his state of mind. ‘The moor already changes with my poison…’ This whole section of the scene shows the methods Iago uses to victimise Othello through his weaknesses, and how easily Iago can twist and influence his mind. Showing Othello’s character may not be as strong as we thought it was; there are chinks in the armour.
Othello’s soliloquy, which would be spoken entirely to the audience, allows Shakespeare to reveal Othello’s hidden worries and thoughts. He has started to adapt Iago’s language as he starts to use animal imagery ‘… prove her haggard…’ ‘Her jesses were my dear heart – strings’, the bonds that tie their marriage and his heart will hurt and become under strain if Desdemona tries to leave him. The analogy he uses of Desdemona and the hawk, is how Othello associates Desdemona’s character to this beautiful bird of prey. This soliloquy shows that Othello has made up his mind about Desdemona and he is utterly convinced with no proof but the word of Iago that Desdemona is ‘false.’ He then puts himself down thinking that it has fault that Desdemona has gone astray ‘Haply, for I am black and have not those soft parts of conversion that chamberers have…’ Segregating himself by race and status, which is another weakness of Othello, as he knows that he is different form his friends and in allowing himself to justify reasons for Desdemona’s unfaithfulness he is providing Iago with the knowledge to control him. He then realises in his mind that if he cannot love her with this knowledge then the only way to release his mind is to hate her ‘She’s gone: I am abused, and my relief must be to loathe her.’ Though Iago’s animal imagery refers to sexual images ‘now making the beast with two backs’ the mood of Othello slowly declines and so too his language. We know that Othello is a pessimist this is confirmed by the use of words like ‘dungeon’, ‘plague’ and ‘death.’ He believes that he would ‘rather be a toad’ then have to share Desdemona ‘…than to keep a corner of the thing I love for others’ uses.’ Imagery of evil, devil and snake is used as powerful images by Othello to end his thoughts ‘even then this forked plague is fated to us when we do quicken, Desdemona comes!’ Iago realises that Othello is becoming more and more jealous with his words and he is turning away from Desdemona and starting to hate her ‘the moor already changes with my poison.’ This soliloquy is a key example of how Iago can get into people’s minds and influence their perceptions. As now this image will be present in Othello’s mind every time he thinks of Desdemona, So Iago’s input has enabled Othello to visualise the one thing he cannot bear to.
When Iago sees Othello enter the room he notices a distinct change in his presence, he realises that his ‘poison’ has set in ‘Not poopy, nor mandragora…shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep…’ Othello then turns on Iago, as he was the bearer of bad news ‘false to me’ and ‘thou hast set me on the rock I swear’ it’s better to be much abused, then but to know’t a little.’ Here is reference again to ignorance is bliss, he blames Iago for telling him about Desdemona ‘I saw’t not, thought it not, it harmed not me. ‘So Othello accuses Iago of giving him pain. We know that Othello has a tendency to be over dramatic this is shown again by his ‘farewell ‘speech because of his new ‘knowledge’. He says ‘farewell’ to everything that he is accustomed to including his ‘tranquil mind’ ‘all quality, pride, pomp, and circumstances of glorious war, in and the penultimate line ‘Othello’s occupation’s gone. ‘Throughout the play Iago is referred to as ‘honest Iago’ by many of the characters, including Othello’s anger he is referred to as ‘villain’ as Othello demands visual proof of these accusations ‘prove my love a whore; be sure of it: give me the ocular proof.’ He threatens Iago and tells him he’d ‘better have been born a dog than answer my waked wrath!’ He makes it clear that he wants proof by repeating again’ Make me to see’t:or, at the least, so prove it.’ He tells Iago that if he shows him proof that is false and he has been telling lies be will go to hell ‘If thou dost slander her and torture me, never pray more.’ In answer to this Iago realises Othello threat and mirrors his language to get on side with Othello. We can see this because usually Iago is very conservative with his language but now he is very dramatic in his speech ‘O grace! O heaven defend me! ‘We know that Othello has demanded visual proof but wee know that there is still some confusion in Othello’s mind in whether he should believe Iago over his wife ‘I think my wife be honest, and think she is not; I think that thou art just, and think thou art not.’ He then puts himself down again showing his negative attributes by colour of skin ‘her name that was as fresh as Dian’s visage is now begrimed and black as mine own face. ‘Othello is distraught with this new ‘knowledge’ and is in emotional turmoil ‘death and damnation! O!’
Iago admits that it would be very hard to find proof ‘damn them then if ever mortal eyes mortal eyes do see them bolster.’ He refers to his typical animal imagery’ were they as prime as goats, as hot as monkeys…’ He claims that he doesn’t like his job’ I do not like the office’ even though the audience knows that really he does like his hob. But even though he has said this he will search for proof, and one behold he tells Othello a story about Cassio and his dreams. He pretends that he overheard Cassio speaking in his sleep one night when he lay awake with a toothache ‘sweet Desdemona, let us hide our loves.’ So he creates ‘proof’ by choosing a hard to accept image, Othello can do nothing but believe him ‘Would he gripe and wring my hand …kiss me hard…then laid his leg over my thigh.’ So after Iago has told Othello that it is hard for him to find proof he tells Othello about Cassio’s dream and Othello being the gull that he is believes him ‘O monstrous! Monstrous!’ So now Othello believes with no real proof that Desdemona has had an affair ‘but this denoted a foregone conclusion.’ So Iago knows that he is right to believe it as they now have concrete evidence’ may help to thicken other proofs that do demonstrate thinly.’ ‘I’ll tear her all to pieces!’ this is the final straw for Othello and he has lost all of his poetic language. This reveals the true nature of Othello and shows that he has a simple character rather than the pompous character shown throughout the play. Iago then catalyses the situation by taking about the handkerchief which was Othello’s first gift to Desdemona, which his wife Emilia stole for him. The audience knows that Iago planted the handkerchief in Cassio’s room as part of his master plan and he tells Othello that ‘I today see Cassio wipe his beard with.’ This image is unpleasant and disrespectful to Othello. Othello acknowledges that Desdemona has been unfaithful ‘Now do I see’ tis true’ as Iago tells him that all this evidence add together to complete the picture ‘It speaks against her with the other proofs.’ Othello then refers to evil ‘images’ arise, black vengeance, from thy hollow cell!’ Meaning his heart has been broken. He refers no blood as an act of killing rather then actually spilling blood ‘O, blood, blood, blood!’ He rows that his mind is made up and he will never look back ‘shall ne’er look back, ne’er ebb to humble love, till that a capable and wide revenge.’ He then vows/prayer that he won’t stop until she is dead’ In the due reverence of a sacred vow I here engage my words.’ He kneeling on the ground Iago joins him in the same stance as respect to Othello and makes a pledge of alligance to Othello to right the wrong that has occurred and talks in third person ‘witness that here Iago doth give up the execution of wit, hand, heart, to wronged Othello’s service.’ Othello accepts his pledge and tells Iago that he has three days to kill Cassio. Iago tells him that his ‘friend is dead.’ By saying friend he shows Othello that he do anything for Othello. Othello then refers to Desdemona as ‘lewd minx’ showing that she is not pure. The final line of this scene spoken by Iago is ‘I am your own for ever’, which is a blatant lie. But be says it because he playing to Othello’s better nature so that he is trusted by Othello.
Iago uses his gift of language to influence Othello and bring about his downfall; he preys on Othello’s weaknesses. He is able to identify quickly as he spends so much time with him. Othello’s weaknesses are his love for Desdemona, his doubts about their relationship in how could such a beautiful, white and lady marry and old, black moor. He starts to see his relationship as something wrong as Iago feeds him lies and believes that they are two completely different people and therefore shouldn’t be together. Othello who comes across as a very strong character of mind and body at the start of the play is manipulated and broken down by Iago mentally throughout the play. Othello’s fault was he trusted his friendship too much and lost his own opinion and state of mind and started relying on the word of ‘honest, honest Iago.’ However Iago’s strengths aren’t physical they are of mind. He is highly intellectual and his language is his power. He is able to deceit so many people by conjuring up so many lies and careful plans that he perceived by them to be a man of his word. He uses jealousy to bring Othello down along with Cassio. He plays both of them for fools as they could not see past is cool, calm and collected exterior and see him for who he really is, which in my opinion he is a lying, cheating and a cowardly character. Iago is able to identify weaknesses in Othello’s character; he knows that Othello is insecure about his race, age, culture and position within society. He plays on these weaknesses and the main area for Othello’s thinking is Desdemona, which Iago is able to and use. Jealousy is the key theme that runs through this play as Iago starts his plan to bring down Othello because of his issue with race and the fact that Cassio has been promoted over him, and it is the exact same thing that causes Othello to kill Desdemona and himself. ‘O, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster…’