In Act Two, Iago makes assumptions about women, but in particular Desdemona. In the beginning of scene 1, Iago identifies his wife, Emilia, as an actor in housekeeping and a prostitute in bed. He generalizes this assumption throughout the scene about women. His first slander on Desdemona appears at the end of scene one where Iago tells Roderigo, “The wine she drinks is made of grapes” (ActII.1, ll249). The quote means that Desdemona isn’t special; she is like any other woman. When Cassio holds Desdemona’s hand, Iago thinks to himself that this is the opportunity where I’ll ruin their lives. He mentions a metaphor about a small spider web “ensnaring a great fly as Cassio” (ActII.1, ll168). Through this imagery of Cassio holding her hands sparks the beginning of his calumnies. Even though Cassio holds her hand out of care and comfort than for lust, this marks the turning point of Cassio’s reputation and the beginning of Iago’s scheme.

Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona is in love with Cassio, and Cassio is also in love with her. Thus, this makes Desdemona sound like an ordinary woman who loves another man soon after she is bored of her current one. It is the “very nature that will instruct her in it and compel her to some second choice” because Othello lacks manner and beauty.

But aside from disparaging Desdemona, Iago also does the same to Othello. During Othello and Desdemona’s wedding party, Iago tells Montano about Cassio’s serious drinking problems, and how Othello instilled a lot of trust in a drunkard. This is ironic because it was Iago that encouraged Cassio to drink. In my opinion, the lies about Cassio’s potable problems and Othello’s irresponsibility have engendered a sense of prejudice towards Montano. He begins to view Othello as an irresponsible, lackluster general. “…’tis great pity that the noble Moor should hazard such a place as his own second (lieutenant) with one of an engraffed infirmity…” (ActII.3, ll131).