Othello, the Moor of Venice
William Shakespeare
Iago sets his plans into motion in Act II. His end game is to get close to Othello so that he can destroy him, both physically and mentally. Iago is cunning enough to realize that there needs to be a lot of leg work before he can squash Othello, so the reader sees Iago go from person to person establishing some kind of relationship with them. He makes sure to give his "friends" a sense of security, as well as portray himself as an honest guardian of sorts. When facing the ordeal of Cassio's fight and Othello's interrogation, Iago carefully pleases all parties involved, allowing him to be viewed by his peers as a truly respectable friend. He stats that he would "rather have his tongue cut from my mouth than it should do offense to Michael Cassio. Yet I persuade myself to speak the truth" (1398 Shakespeare). He builds tension between Cassio and Othello (which is part of his master plan), yet he appears as though he is helping out his friends to the attendees. After Othello fires Cassio, Iago is the one who attempts to comfort his "friend" Cassio, and suggests he should ask Desdemona to convince Othello that he should forgive Cassio. Little does Cassio know that Iago plans to insinuate to Othello that his wife is unfaithful, and Cassio is her lover.
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