Othello #5

Iago continues to manipulate Othello by inciting his jealousy. However, Iago never makes accusations that would lead to Othello's jealousy; he uses subliminal suggestion to cause Othello to make himself jealous with his own imagination. At the beginning of Act IV, Iago hints that Cassio may have transgressed against Othello, innocently asking, "what of I had said I had seen him do you wrong?" (28). Othello immediately begins to ask Iago questions, and Iago keeps him guessing. When Iago finally gives Othello a taste of an answer, he qualifies it with "what you will," feigning modesty for his own eyewitness account. Upon hearing this vague answer, Othello begins a brief monologue that is very staccato and inquisitive. The quickness of the line demonstrates the Othello is beginning to become paranoid about his wife even though Iago has not even given him a straight answer. Iago has manipulated Othello so that Othello is begging Iago for information that he knows will infuriate him if Iago is correct. This manipulation is an example of the evil of Iago; he manipulates the characters of the play so that they come crawling to him to expedite their own downfall.