Othello #2

When Iago is with Roderigo, the audience sees him as clever and conniving.  When he is with Othello, he flatters excessively.  During Iago's first encounter with Cassio, the audience witnesses yet another of Iago's many personalities: the facetious, joking friend.  When Iago enters the scene, he and Cassio exchange words about Iago's wife.  When Cassio kisses her as a greeting, Iago comments, "would she give you so much of her lips / As of her tongue she oft bestows on me, / You'll have enough" (109-111).  Iago shares a joke with Cassio that could easily be considered rude and disrespectful if heard 'the wrong way.'  Iago intends to make Cassio feel as though he trusts Cassio, creating an impression of confidence and friendship between the two of them.  Iago expects to be able to use this connection to his advantage as he continues to work his way to the top of Venice's military hierarchy.

However, Iago also intends to lure Cassio into a trap by allowing him to fall in love with Emilia.  Iago makes his plans explicit to the audience as he observes Cassio's interaction with Emilia, marveling that "With such a little web as this will [he] ensnare as great a fly as Cassio" (162-163).  As Iago pretends to be a friend to Cassio, he does not allow Cassio to anticipate the trap that Iago has set.