Iago slanders women throughout Act Two. He thinks women should be housekeepers and prostitutes. He also talks about Desdemona as someone who is not as special as she seems. He became extremely upset towards Casio and Desdemona when they held hands. At that moment he decided to devise a plan. In Act 2 he mentions, “ensnaring a great fly as Cassio.” In this similie he explains how he will plan to trap Cassio. At that moment instead of caring for someone, Iago only saw the handholding as something lustful. “When the blood is made dull with the act of
sport, there should be, again to inflame it and to
give satiety a fresh appetite, loveliness in favour,
sympathy in years, manners and beauties; all which
the Moor is defective in: now, for want of these
required conveniences, her delicate tenderness will
find itself abused, begin to heave the gorge,
disrelish and abhor the Moor; very nature will
instruct her in it and compel her to some second
choice.”

With that happening Iago’s strong feelings about women are shared with Roderigo. He paints the picture of Desdemona being an ordinary woman who lives for lustful situations. This quote shows how Iago truly feels. He feels as if all women get bored with their partners and move on immediately to someone new. Being old and a war veteran, Othello will soon not be an attractive option for Desdeona. Lastly, we truly see how manipulative Iago is when he talks behind Cassio’s back. He talks about the drinking problem Cassio has, despite being the reason he drunk.