Iago switches from verse to prose when he speaks with Cassio, and Cassio follows. What does this indicate about the exchange? What might it indicate about Cassio? AO2 LFS
Iago speaks in verse when he is speaking normally as everyone else, yet he switches to prose as he puts the next stage of his plan into action. Iago speaks in prose as he begins to manipulate and persuade Cassio into becoming close with Desdemona. Iago manipulates Cassio into thinking that if he is to "confess.. freely" to Desdemona, she will sway Othello's mind and Cassio will regain his position. This indicates that Cassio is naïve because he doesn't believe that Iago would be giving him this advice for any underlying reason, he is similar to Othello in this way as he doesn't believe that a loyal friend would ever lie to or betray him.
What language does Cassio use when speaking about Desdemona? How does it compare to the language Iago uses to sexualise her? Why do you think Iago is speaking about Desdemona in this way to Cassio? (lines 15-25) AO2 LF
Iago changes the topic straight to that of Desdemona, (when Othello and Desdemona leave to consummate their marriage) in order to manipulate Cassio into viewing her in a sexual way, which would then make Cassio a prime target for the person who had the alleged affair with Desdemona. When Cassio speaks of Desdemona, he uses flattering vocabulary such as "exquisite" and "perfection" to describe her, this is all absent of sexualised language. Alternatively, Iago says "what an eye she has", implying that Desdemona looks at other men in sexual ways, to make Cassio believe he might have a chance with her. Despite Iago's attempts, Cassio defends Desdemona, saying that she's "modest" which shows he is a decent person and cares for Desdemona in a friendly way.
How does Iago persuade Cassio to drink? Use your close reading skills to analyse the language he uses. (Note how ‘but’ is used as an adverb here) AO2 LFS
Iago persuades Cassio to drink in Act 2 Scene 3, by making him feel guilty as he will not drink with his men. Cassio knows that he cannot hold his drink and that he becomes drunk on very little alcohol, therefore he is very reluctant to drink anymore as he had already had one glass that evening. Despite his worries, Cassio eventually gives in to Iago when Iago states "but one cup" to drink with his friends. The adverb "but" comes across as meaning that one cup is nothing and that in saying it, Iago is trying to convince Cassio that just one glass of wine won't have an effect on him.
Why does Iago try to subvert the social order and bring others down to his level, rather than try to climb the ladder and raise himself up? Consider ideas about social order at the time AO3, context.
In the time period, it was very difficult, near impossible to climb the social ladder in a society which based its rules on the fact that if you were poor, you stayed poor, and if you were rich you got richer. There was no movement in the rankings in society. Iago recognises this, and in order to become higher up in the hierarchy, he knows that he has to bring his higher nobilities down to his level or lower in order to raise himself up his goal of taking Othello's rank.
Othello says “My blood begins my safer guides to rule/And passion, having my best judgements collied/Assays to lead the way.” (lines 201-203) What does this quotation reveal about the effects of Iago’s knavery in this scene?
Othello reveals within his quote, his anger towards Iago's knavery, aimed at Cassio as Iago hasn't been exposed as the villain a to this moment in time. This is very alternate to Act 1 Scene 2 where Othello keeps very calm as he is repeated accused of 'stealing' Brabantio's daughter. This could be because he is the person of authority and the person that he most trusts has been fighting against Othello's will even though Cassio was supposed to be keeping the peace.
BIG QUESTION: Why is this scene important in relation to the play as a whole?
-How is Iago presented
-What happens in the scene
-What this scene indicates about the key characters
In this scene, Iago fully reveals his manipulative character as he manipulates Cassio into thinking that Iago cares about him and his position. Iago tells Cassio how he could get close to Desdemona so that she will talk to Othello and convince him to give Cassio his rank back as Othello's lieutenant. Despite Iago's façade that allows him to be deceptive, his real motive for giving Cassio this advice is to victimise him by planting the idea in Othello's head that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair and therefore if Cassio gets close with Desdemona to get his position back, his flirtatious nature will make Othello believe Iago's untruths. The happenings in this scene show Cassio to be fairly naïve to evil in amongst friends or colleagues as he listens to Iago out of desperation. Othello, when he fires Cassio, is shown to conform to the racial stereotype of black people being easily angered when Othello's "blood begins my safer guides to rule" which shows that Othello is starting to be influenced by his feelings and anger.
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