What's the significance of the moments when Iago addresses the audience?

      In Iago’s soliloquies we glean a truer sense of who the real Iago is. Although this may be paradoxically challenged by Iago's statement at the beginning of the play, “I am not as I appear”. This begs the question do we ever really see who Iago is or is his entire life an act? Othello constantly refers to Iago as good and honest during the first half of the play. This could be seen as compliment to Iago’s abilities in convincing people into believing things that are not true. The distinguished critic Bradley noted that out of the entire cast Iago was the most wonderful this is testimony to Iago's way of carving his intentions into other people so that they respond in ways that favour him. For example his manipulation of the “emotional cripple” Roderigo is both sad and marvellous, as we watch the plot unfold into Iago's lap.  

     In one of Iago’s early soliloquies at the end of act 1 we see him reveal several things about himself that he may not have wanted to be revealed. For example, “I hate the Moor” this stark bluntness shows the extent of Iago's hatred. During the whole play Iago acts differently towards different people in order to tip the scales in his favour, therefore it is only through his soliloquies that we get close to understanding who he is. It can also be deduced that he resents Cassio, “Cassio’s a proper man: let me see now, to get his place” this could hint at a lack of fulfilment in Iago. He may not consider himself to be a proper man, so to assume the role of Cassio may aid him in feeling more like one. In another soliloquy at the end of act 2 scene 1 Shakespeare has been criticised by the author E. H. Seymour, “this part of Iago's conduct appears to have been either mis-managed or neglected by the poet, there are no sufficient motives for this excess of malignity.” Critics have again become divided with regards to Iago's motives. Some (as with E. H. Seymour) assume that there is no reason for Iago's motives and others such as Bradley are of the opinion that Iago has too many motives, resentment of Cassio’s appointment, hatred of Othello and a desire to assume Cassio’s position. All of these motives are revealed in soliloquy, so it can be said that one of the functions of Iago's soliloquies is to highlight his motives, which is extremely significant in determining the nature of the unfolding plot.

   I think the role of the audience in all of Shakespeare's plays, not just Othello is extremely significant. An audience will always determine the immediate success or failure of a production. In Iago's soliloquies we see him often isolated speaking to the audience. These moments are often quite intimate and we, as an audience make a connection with Iago that is not apparent during any other time of the play. I think the reason for this is because when Iago speaks during his soliloquies it is as a stream of consciousness rather than constructed speech. He often reveals things that simultaneously reveal a lot about him as a character. The audience are receptive to these subtle changes and they allow the audience to chart the development of Iago's character.

   Several of Iago's soliloquies come after speaking with Roderigo. At the end of act 1 we see Iago trying to stir jealousy in Roderigo, the audience notices how Roderigo has become dependant on Iago's manipulative ways, “wilt thou be fast to my hopes, if I depend on the issue?” after this scene comes Iago's soliloquy in which he reflects upon how he has just manipulated Roderigo. It is as if Iago is enjoying watching events unfold into his lap. “Go to, farewell, put money in my purse” he knows that Roderigo is a fool and is totally abusing that fact to his favour. Therefore his soliloquies also serve as a reflection of previous events almost as a “re-cap”.