Fabrication of Infidelity: Iago's Rhetoric in Act 3 Scene 3

Abstract

In the course of Iago's seduction of Othello, he never proclaims explicitly that Desdemona has sexual relationships with Cassio. He, however, gives Othello clues, and makes him think himself. In the first half of his “poisoning,” his clues are basically linguistic, and in the second half, his clues are "generally-accepted" ideas and the situations in which Othello is placed. During the whole procedure, the audience is always aware of Iago's black intention to ensnare Othello and Othello's restricted scope of understanding. The audience sees Iago who proceeds his machinations totally as he intends without damaging Othello's trust to him, and it also sees Othello who is entrapped to destruction, not knowing Iago's true nature. Thus, while the audience's sympathy to Othello is controlled, it also appreciates Iago's malignant nature in his extremely efficient command of language.