Jenelle Fiori; Othello Act 2-3

In Othello Act 2-3, we see Iago’s manipulation begin to have a huge impact on the other character. First, he gets Cassio drunk and into a fight with Montano, which costs him is title. Then, Iago convinves Cassion to go to Desdemona for help to regain his title. Later, Iago somehow gets both Roderigo and Othello to believe that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. To this, Othello’s jealous causes him to think irrationally. Especially in Act 3, Othello’s jealousy makes him become more and more barbaric in thought and action, which is different from when they were in the civilized city of Venice. But what is interesting to note is the fact that Iago never directly begins the actions to follow, he only manipulates by word of mouth. His only real contribution to the following plot would be setting the handkerchief on Cassio’s bed, which Cassio give to Bianca. And so, this foreshadows the terror to come.