Iago’s first step towards his intended goal was telling Brabantio about Othello and Desdemona’s marriage. ‘I am one sir, to tell you that your daughter and the Moor are making the beast with two backs’ (Act 1 sc.1 L.115) Iago uses specific words and exaggerations to make Brabantio angry so he will accuse Othello of stealing his daughter. By doing this Iago is trying to split Othello and Desdemona’s marriage or just trying to make complications in their first hours of marriage.
Iago is neither successful nor unsuccessful. ‘My life upon her faith’ (act 1 sc.3 L.290) Iago failed in breaking up Othello and Desdemona’s marriage as Desdemona says her faith is with Othello now. Although he has created a reason why Desdemona is false, ‘so much duty my mother showed to you’ (Act 1 sc.3 L.184). To marry Othello Desdemona had to deceive her father and Iago could use this to persuade Othello that Desdemona Is false.
Iago makes many different types of hints, insinuations and arguments towards Desdemona being false. ‘I cannot think it that he would steal away so guilty like seeing you coming’ (Act 3 sc.3 L.37-9). This is one type of insinuation that Iago makes quite regularly at the beginning of Act 3 scene 3, he makes these types of insinuations before he has told and converted Othello to his thoughts, to make Othello think what might really be happening even though nothing is happening. In this insinuation Iago is hinting that Cassio must be being deceitful towards Othello if he cannot speak to Othello himself. It is so subtle that it cannot be plainly seen and when a question like this is asked you don’t understand why it has been asked or what the person is hinting at. This is sowing the seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind without Othello realising what he is doing. This method is used to change Othello’s mind about Cassio’s and Desdemona’s honesty, and will aid in changing Othello’s mind about Cassio and Desdemona’s illicit but fictional affair.
‘She did deceive her father’ (Act 3 sc.3 L.206). This is another type of hint, using the truth against Othello, as he was there when Brabantio accused him of stealing his daughter, but Desdemona explained that her duties now lay with Othello. This is a fact and can be used effectively against Othello as he knows it’s true.
Another type of hint is the obvious hints. ‘Observe her well with Cassio’ (Act 3 sc.3 L.199). This is where Iago has told Othello plainly what he wants Othello to do, but says it as a suggestion making sure that Othello will do what Iago wants. Also using fake evidence that can’t be denied to sway Othello’s judgement. ‘In sleep I heard him Cassio) say ‘sweet Desdemona let us be wary and hide our loves’’ (Act3 sc.3 L.420-10). This is evidence that cannot be denied by Cassio because it was supposedly in his sleep; it can be used very effectively against Othello as he believes everything that Iago says.
Othello’s response through Act 3 scene 3 change dramatically throughout the scene. ‘I do not think but Desdemona’s honest’ (Act 3 sc.3 L. 227) When Iago had only just starting to put thoughts into Othello’s head, Othello didn’t believe Iago and replied to Iago with statements of her honesty. Iago replies either with another insinuation or with a statement of disbelief ‘Long live she so, and long live you to think so!’ (Act 3 Sc.3 L. 228) These types of statements are being used to persuade Othello that Desdemona is false. Later when Othello is at unease, and very unsure about Desdemona’s honesty his responses seem more are more desperate. ‘Set on thy wife to observe.’ (Act 3 Sc.3 L.242) Othello isn’t sure about what to do and to feel, and asks Iago for his wife to keep an eye on her Iago replies: ‘scan this thing no father’ (act 3 sc.3 L.246). Now his has created the seeds of doubt he tries to comfort Othello telling him to that they are only his fears and not to worry even though he wants Othello to think that Desdemona’s dishonest, it is making Iago seem a good friend to Othello therefore making Othello believe Iago even more. Othello is sure of Desdemona’s dishonesty only when Iago provides hard evidence on Othello’s request. ‘Arise, black vengeance’ (Act 3 sc.3 L.448) Othello’s thoughts become murderous and he becomes narrow minded and once Iago has convinced Othello he will never hear any truth against it unless it confirms his suspicions. ‘Yet be content.’ (Act 3 Sc.3 L.452) Iago replies with no hints or insinuations nearly the opposite as though trying to make Othello have an open mind even though he has deliberately changed it.
When Othello suspects that Cassio has Desdemona’s strawberry-embroidered handkerchief, he goes into a jealous rage and is stricken with grief. ‘All my fond love thus do I blow to heaven; Tis gone’ (Act 3 sc.3 L.446-7). As it was Othello’s first gift to Desdemona, a gift of his love, and is very personal for Othello he was overcome with jealous grief that Desdemona might give to someone else especially as it supposed to be her secret lover. The spotted handkerchief could resemble a number of things, such as Othello’s love, but I believe it resembles their first night as a married couple, as after the first night of marriage, it used to be tradition, and the couple would hang out their bed sheets with blood on them. To show that the woman was a virgin and that they had had sex. The strawberries represent the blood.
Othello’s attitude towards Desdemona changed as he began to think she was false. ‘Sweet Desdemon’ (Act 3 sc.3 L.55). To begin with Othello is very gentle towards Desdemona even when he sees Cassio talking to Desdemona. When he starts to suspect Desdemona he becomes moody and distant. ‘Let it alone’ (Act 3 sc.3 L.290). He only complains he is ill when she is with him to make an excuse for is foul mood. The fact that he hasn’t confronted her and isn’t angry with her shows he truly doesn’t believe Iago yet, also the fact that he is making excuses for his mood shows that he doesn’t want Desdemona to know what he knows and he doesn’t truly want to believe Iago. When Othello is sure of Desdemona’s dishonesty he starts calling her different types of insults. ‘Devil!’ (Act 4 sc.1 L.230) He is know angry with Desdemona for denying what he thinks to be true, but he also still wants to believe that it isn’t true and the only way to get his emotions out is by insulting and striking Desdemona.
Overall Iago was successful; he didn’t get promoted to Cassio’s job, but he did ruin Othello’s life like he wanted to. He seemed to enjoy carrying out the plan, which is the main reason he did it. ‘For my sport and profit’ (Act 1 Sc.1 L.368). He created money out of it by using Roderigo and seemed to have fun using and manipulating people, making them believe things that they would never have thought of. His plan, though, could have been a lot darker then he put out to be. He could have been jealous of Othello and Desdemona and either wanted Othello or Desdemona for himself, he could be jealous of Desdemona for being so close to Othello and he knows he could never be unless he makes her out to be a deceitful whore, which he does. Iago is definitely to blame for all bad feelings between Othello and Desdemona as made sure everyone was where they were supposed to be to make Othello feel that Desdemona is deceitful. He also created the seeds of doubt and jealousy in Othello that carries the whole plan off. I don’t think Iago being arrested makes Iago’s plan unsuccessful, as he has done what he originally set out to do, he ruined many people’s lives and now his bliss is death, which in his eyes cannot be as bad as living.