Othello

Scene 1

• Iago brings Roderigo into his plan by telling him that Desdemona loves Cassio (210-211) and employs him to provoke Cassio, ostensibly in order to eliminate Cassio as a rival for Desdemona’s affections (247-257).
• Iago tells Roderigo that Cassio has a quick temper (252).
• In a soliloquy, Iago declares that he is sure Cassio loves Desdemona and believes it very likely that she does, in fact, love him. (262-263). However, he also believes that Othello’s faithfulness, love, and nobility will make him a trusting husband (264-267). Finally, he declares that he loves her too, but as an object for taking revenge on Othello for his alleged affair with Emilia (267-276).
• Iago even suspects Cassio of sleeping with Emilia (283).

“Eye” imagery

IAGO: Her eye must be fed, and what delight shall she have to look on the Devil? (216-217)

IAGO: A slipper and subtle knave, a finder-out of occasions, that has an eye can stamp and counterfeit advantages, though true advantage never present itself. (228-230)

IAGO: Didst thou not see her paddle with the palm of his hand? Didst not mark that? (236-238)

IAGO: Knavery’s plain face is never seen till used. (288)

Beast imagery

IAGO: Make the Moor thank me, love me, and reward me/ For making him egregiously and ass / And practicing upon his peace and quiet / Even to madness.

Scene 2

• Othello declares a general celebration of both the victory against the Turks and his marriage to Desdemona.

Scene 3

• Iago gets Cassio drunk and then tells Montano that Cassio is a drunkard by nature even though Cassio has explained that he generally drinks little because it quickly intoxicates him.
• Roderigo baits Cassio who, drunk, goes after Roderigo with a sword until Montano intervenes. At that point Cassio challenges Montano with his weapon and wounds the man.
• When Othello demands to know how the fight started, no one will give him a straight answer, provoking him to say “My blood begins my safer guides to rule, / And passion, having my best judgment collied, / Assays to lead the way.” (182-185)
• Iago, by claiming to want to protect Cassio’s reputation, damns him as the instigator of the brawl. (199-224)
• Othello strips Cassio of his lieutenancy. (227)
• Cassio laments his loss of reputation (240-242), but Iago dismisses the harm and encourages Cassio to seek reinstatement.
• Iago advises Cassio to use Desdemona as a go-between to persuade Othello to restore Cassio’s rank. (280-288) Iago will, of course, lead Othello to believe that Desdemona’s concern for Cassio is attributable to her lust for him. (339-345)

“Eye” imagery

CASSIO: Iago hath directions what to do, / But notwithstanding with my personal eye / Will I look to ‘t. (4-6)

IAGO: What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley to provocation.

CASSIO: An inviting eye, and yet methinks right modest. (21-22)

IAGO: You see this fellow that is gone before.
He is a soldier fit to stand by Caesar
And give direction. And do but see his vice.
‘Tis to his virtue a just equinox,
The one as long as the other. (101-105)

MONTANO: It were well
The General were put in mind of it.
Perhaps he sees it no, or his good nature
Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio
And looks not on his evils. Is not this true? (111-115)

OTHELLO: Honest Iago, that look’st dead with grieving . . . (155)

References to black

IAGO: . . . there without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello. (25-26)

Irony

OTHELLO: Iago is most honest. (7)

OTHELLO: Honest Iago, that look’st dead with grieving,
Speak, who began this? On thy love, I charge thee. (155-156)

OTHELLO: I know, Iago,
Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,
Making it light to Cassio. (24-226)

IAGO: And, good Lieutenant, I think you think I love you.

CASSIO: I have well approved it, sir. I drunk! (276-278)

CASSIO: You advise me well.

IAGO: I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness. (289-290)

CASSIO: Good night, honest Iago. (295)

Beast imagery

CASSIO: Oh God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains! That we should, with joy, pleasance, revel, and applause, transform ourselves into beasts! (261-263

CASSIO: To be now as sensible man, by and by a fool, and presently a beast! (272-273)