Othello Post 3.

Othello: The Moor of Venice by William Shakespeare.

Act II. Scene iii.

This is where the light of Iago's true dark genius shines. In this scene, Iago plays puppet master to so many people at once it is amazing how everything falls according to his plans. He simultaneously and seamlessly controls Cassio, Othello, Roderigo, and Montano all without skipping a beat. It is an art form  in its own twisted respects.

Where he kills two birds with one stone is when he stages Cassio's demise. He beautifully executes his plan to make Cassio look like a low life, and to make him look like a cherub. It is amazing how well he can control people solely with his words and misinformation.

The perfect example of this is when he tells Montano that Cassio is a drunk, when he really tried to avoid getting drunk and Iago manipulated him into getting hammered.

"'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep. He'll watch the horologe a double set, if he drink rock not his cradle" (II. iii. 110-113).

I feel like the only reason people find Iago so trustworthy and honest is that they have never been given a reason to not believe him. Anyway, Cassio gets fired from his position as Lieutenant to Othello.

This is where Iago's evil really begins to shine. I just thought it was impressive that Iago was capable of orchestrating all that manipulation at the same time without failing. While he is not yet as evil as the guy that throws the Tetris pieces, he is getting there.