During Act III of Othello, Iago brings his plan to fruition by leading Othello to believe that there is something going on between Cassio and Desdemona. He plays on Othello’s insecurities about Desdemona and gets him to believe she cannot be trusted. Othello’s doubt transitions into a firm belief that his wife is betraying him when Iago presents the handkerchief Othello gave Desdemona on their honeymoon. Iago knows how important this handkerchief is to Othello, and this was all he needed to convince Othello that Desdemona is guilty. This handkerchief can be viewed as a symbol of Othello’s relationship with Desdemona. It was the first gift he gave her, and is therefore the most crucial symbol of their love. To Othello, the handkerchief is Desdemona’s love; and when she loses it, so has she forsaken his love.
Iago says, “Trifles light as air / Are to the jealous confirmations strong / As proofs of holy writ. This may do something.” (Ac. 3, Sc. 3, 370-372) Iago realizes that real proof is not necessary because mere doubt is enough to fuel Othello’s jealousy. He does not need to plant emotions, he simply preys on the weaknesses that already exist in each character. Even though the handkerchief itself is insignificant, the fact that it is in another man’s possession is enough to convince Othello of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness.
- Why does Iago delay in offering Othello visual proof of the claimed affair between Desdemona and Cassio?
- Cassio denies Desdemona’s request to stay and hear her plead his case. Iago uses Cassio’s exit to make him seem guiltier. What do you think would’ve happened if Cassio had agreed to stay as Desdemona requested?
- It is clear that Othello is a doubtful in his thinking. Why would he believe Iago more than the woman he married?
1. Because he was lying about Cassio and Desdemona, and he was waiting for Desdemona’s
handkerchief from Emilia.
2. I think if Cassio stayed Iago wouldn’t have had a chance to make him seem guiltier, and it would’ve been better for everyone.
3. He believed Iago because he’s is manipulative and convincing. And it happened that he was able to get Desdemona’s handkerchief, which was a gift from Othello, and meant a lot to him. Desdemona didn’t know what is happening, and didn’t have a chance to defend herself, Othello was already convinced by Iago’s “proofs”.
1. I think Iago wanted Othello to start to question things for himself first. He wanted to subtly place these ideas of infidelity in Othello’s head only to then confirm these suspicions with the handkerchief.
2. I think by having Cassio leave it definitely helped Iago’s case of making him look like he had something to hide. If Cassio had stayed, maybe Othello would have been able to confront both of them and find out that Iago was manipulating all of them.
3. I think Othello is able to believe Iago because Iago has perfectly created this story of infidelity and even has evidence to prove it. Iago is good at controlling every situation so that it’s in his favor so it would be difficult for Othello to not believe that even some of his story is true.
1. If Iago just gives the actual evidence to Othello, Othello might go to Desdemona to ask about the scandal directly. Iago might wants to raise Othello’s doubtfulness toward Desdemona for making Othello believes the evidence easily.
2. If Cassio agrees to stay with Desdemona, Othello could see that there is any adulterous relationship between Cassio and Desdemona. That Cassio leaves Desdemona raises Othello’s doubtfulness because Othello could not see what they did in the room.
3. Othello spend more time with Iago than he did with Desdemona. He could have more trust Iago because he might believe that trust of Iago has been proved for past times.