Skip to main content

What do you understand about Iago, Cassio, and Othello as they are presented in Act II of Othello?

Act II provides a clear delineation of the three characters. It is in this act that we learn what sets the three apart. The act also provides insight into how exactly Othello and Cassio, specifically, become targets for Iago's manipulation.


We discover in scene one that Cassio, Othello's newly-appointed lieutenant, has recently set foot on Cyprus and is now, with some trepidation, awaiting the arrival of his master and his beautiful, newly-wed bride, Desdemona. Cassio expresses concern since he had lost contact with the general's ship during an inordinately rough period at sea. He is generous in his praise for Othello and seems genuinely concerned. He has only high praise for Desdemona and is full of complimentary rhetoric when asked about her. It is clear from his conversation that he has an open and generous nature, one who seems to see only the good in others. We soon discover this naivete is what Iago sees as a weakness which he can exploit.


Next to arrive on the scene is Iago, accompanied by Emilia and Desdemona. Cassio expresses delight at their safe arrival and welcomes them warmly, going so far as to kiss Emilia, Iago's wife.


We are quickly made aware of Iago's cynicism when he makes a derogatory remark about women which leads to Desdemona reprimanding him for his slander. As their conversation continues, Iago makes his misogyny quite clear. His verbal altercation with Desdemona makes her feel somewhat insulted. We also soon learn of his planned malice when he comments on Cassio's warm approach to Desdemona as the lieutenant takes her palm.



[Aside] He takes her by the palm: ay, well said,
whisper: with as little a web as this will I
ensnare as great a fly as Cassio.



It is obvious Iago has already formulated a pernicious scheme to implicate Cassio for having an illicit relationship with Desdemona and thus make him lose his position. He is bitter and resents that Othello decided to appoint Cassio and not him.


With Othello's arrival, we are made patently aware of the love he and his wife have for each other. Both express relief at seeing one another and Othello, especially, grandly expresses his joy. Once again, Iago proves just how devious and malicious he is by saying, as he witnesses the two lovers' reunion:



O, you are well tuned now!
But I'll set down the pegs that make this music,
As honest as I am.



The implication is that, in being true to himself, Iago will make it his duty to upset the harmony between the two by letting them play to his tune. Towards the end of Scene 1, Iago further illustrates his demonic nature by convincing Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio. At the conclusion of the scene, he declares his evil intent to mislead Othello and manipulate him into believing that he, as his ancient, truly only has the general's best interests at heart.


In scene three, Iago's attempt to manipulate Cassio into confessing that Desdemona is a flirt fails miserably, as the young lieutenant only has good to say about her. He then persuades the somewhat gullible officer into drinking some wine, something the lieutenant acknowledges he is not used to because he is easily inebriated. It is clear Cassio wishes to please Iago and probably acquiesces to his request to avoid offending him, unaware he is being manipulated.


Further proof of Iago's malcontent is given when he uses Roderigo to set up an altercation with Cassio, who has become tipsy and, therefore, forgetful of his place and duty. The altercation turns into a brawl, which draws Othello's attention. True to character, Iago, "in all honesty" makes a plea in Cassio's defense, and, in an act of deliberate irony, points a finger at the embarrassed lieutenant for being responsible for the fracas. Othello immediately dismisses Cassio.


Othello's actions in this scene confirm his status as a leader. He quickly intervenes and metes out punishment. He is harsh, uncompromising, and considerate of the confusion and anxiety that any disruption might bring to the already-fearful citizens of Cyprus. Cassio is deeply humiliated by the dismissal and, to deepen the irony, turns to Iago for advice. The sly ancient suggests the embarrassed ex-lieutenant approach Desdemona for assistance.


The scene ends with Iago expressing probably his darkest desire: he is about to begin a campaign in which he will absolutely and irrevocably demonize the innocent and virtuous Desdemona.



So will I turn her virtue into pitch,
And out of her own goodness make the net
That shall enmesh them all.



He is prepared to sink to the depths of perversion and destroy innocent lives, not only because he wants to get back at the general but also because he hates everything that is good and pure. In this way, Iago proves he is the epitome of evil.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

etymology - Origin of the greeting "Sweet dreams".

Does anybody know the etymology of the phrase "sweet dreams"? I tried googling but did not find anything satisfying. Is this a relatively new phrase of the modern world or has this been in use for some time? I think it's the latter one. Answer The OED has the interjection as "a farewell to someone going to bed" from the 20th century: 1908 Sears Roebuck Catal. 198/1 Tenor Solos..Good Bye, Sweet Dreams, Good Bye. But it goes back until at least the 19th and possibly 18th centuries. John Wolcot, writing under the pseudonym of Peter Pindar, used it in his poem "Orson and Ellen; A Legendary Tale" published in 1801: Also from 1801 in The infernal Quixote (Page 287) by Charles Lucas: In the March 1776 of The Universal Magazine was published "The Serenade. A Pastoral Tale. From the German of Gesner" , where the shepherd Daphnis watches over his beloved as she sleeps and sings: The same tale appears in 1776's as Idyl XI, " Daphnis ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Is there a word/phrase for "unperformant"?

As a software engineer, I need to sometimes describe a piece of code as something that lacks performance or was not written with performance in mind. Example: This kind of coding style leads to unmaintainable and unperformant code. Based on my Google searches, this isn't a real word. What is the correct way to describe this? EDIT My usage of "performance" here is in regard to speed and efficiency. For example, the better the performance of code the faster the application runs. My question and example target the negative definition, which is in reference to preventing inefficient coding practices. Answer This kind of coding style leads to unmaintainable and unperformant code. In my opinion, reads more easily as: This coding style leads to unmaintainable and poorly performing code. The key to well-written documentation and reports lies in ease of understanding. Adding poorly understood words such as performant decreases that ease. In addressing the use of such a poorly ...
Post a Comment
Read more

What are the similarities between the relationships of the characters in The Outsiders and Romeo and Juliet?

At first glance, it might appear as if the characters in  The Outsiders  by S. E. Hinton and  Romeo and Juliet  by William Shakespeare do not have much in common; however, when one isolates the core of the conflicts, it becomes clear that the relationships in both stories are rooted in rivalry and secrecy.  In both  The Outsiders  and  Romeo and Juliet , an overarching theme is rivalry. While   socioeconomic status separates the greasers from the Socs in The Outsiders , last names separates the Montagues from the Capulets, who appear to be relatively equal in terms of socioeconomic status. Due to these rivalries, there are instances of deadly interactions in both stories. In  The Outsiders , Johnny kills Bob (whether his actions were justified or not is debatable). In  Romeo and Juliet , Romeo kills Tybalt and Paris, and Tybalt kills Mercutio. These deaths have profound effects on the main characters. In Ponyboy's case, the Johnny's death and other events in the novel inspire h...
Post a Comment
Read more