Iago's Performance in Act III Scene III of William Shakespeare's Othello

Iago's Performance in Act III Scene III of William Shakespeare's Othello

Iago anticipates and manipulates the other characters so skillfully

that they seem to be acting simultaneously of their own free will and

as Iago's puppets. For example, it takes only the slightest prompting

on Iago's part to put Othello into the proper frame of mind to be

consumed by jealousy-Iago exploits Cassio's discomfort upon seeing

Othello by interpreting it as a sign of guilt. Iago's interpretation

of Cassio's exit, combined with the Desdemona's vigorous advocating on

Cassio's behalf, creates suspicion in Othello's mind even before Iago

prompts Othello. Othello manifests his confusion about his wife by

telling her that he wishes to be left alone, and by spurning her offer

of help when he tells her that he feels unwell.

It takes very little evidence to convince him of her unfaithfulness.

All Iago has to do to Othello is make him doubt Desdemona, and

jealousy spreads like a virus until he rejects her absolutely. Also

Iago has no evidence that Othello has slept with Emilia, but the

suspicion or doubt seems to have been sufficient to make him hate

Emilia and persecute Othello. As Othello says, "o be once in doubt ….

Is once to be resolved" (lines 183-184). Othello soon learns, however,

that to be once in doubt is to be never resolved. He leaves the stage

briefly after the episode in which he rejects Desdemona's

handkerchief, at which point he seems resolved that his wife no longer

loves him. This is one of the many examples of staging that gives

dramatic effect. Othello leaving the stage is like a loss of feeling,

it symbolizes Othello's loss of Desdemona. He returns sure that

Desdemona no longer loves him. He is now intent on finding evidence

that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him. This emphasizes the

contrast in feelings throughout the Scene.

All Iago really has to do to provoke Othello is to remind him that he

doesn't know for certain what his wife is doing or feeling. Iago's

advice that Othello "look to his wife.