Act 2 Scene 3

1. Iago switches from verse to prose when he speaks with Cassio, and Cassio follows. What does this indicate about the exchange? What might it indicate about Cassio?
Cassio is a noble gentleman and speaks in verse throughout the play apart from Act 2 Scene 3. Iago speaks in prose towards other characters as it is more persuasive, and represents him as a gentleman. However, when Iago does not need to persuade the character any further he shifts to prose (the colloquial language). Cassio stays very formal in his language towards all the characters but when he very rarely speaks in prose in this scene, it shows that Cassio can be easily manipulated, as he is being brought down to Iago's level in the social hierarchy by speaking in a less formal manner.


2. What language does Cassio use when speaking about Desdemona? How does it compare to the language Iago uses to sexualise her? Why do you think Iago is speaking about Desdemona in this way to Cassio?
Cassio thinks very highly of Desdemona and this is portrayed through his kind choice of words 'she is indeed perfection'. It could be seen that Cassio uses a lexical field of beauty and purity, suggesting that he would not do anything to harm her, or anyone close to her including Othello. However this differs from Iago's descriptive metaphors of Desdemona being a sexual object, which can be seen when he says that she is 'full of game' meaning that she is sexually very active. In fact, Iago up to this point in the play, Iago only ever seems to reference women to sex, securing the patriarchal ideologies that were present during Shakespeare's day.


3. How does Iago persuade Cassio to drink? Use your close reading skills to analyse the language he uses.
Iago says that Cassio should drink because the 'gallants desire it'. Cassio cannot say no to this as he is the lieutenant, and he would be letting his troops down otherwise. Although Cassio is aware that drink will arise anger in him, he agrees because Iago has manipulated him to do so. Additionally, Iago says that he'll drink for him, once Cassio has had 'one cup' but obviously Cassio continues to drink after his 'one cup'.


4. Why does Iago try to subvert the social order and bring others down to his level, rather than try to climb the ladder and raise himself up?
Iago could be described as a proletariat compared to Cassio in Othello. This would explain why he is so jealous of Cassio and Othello because he is of a lower ranking in the social hierarchy to them so he misses out on important opportunities such as becoming Othello's lieutenant. Iago's wish is to come out on top, to be the highest in power and in order to do this he brings the other characters down to his level, by reducing their reputations - or in other words reducing their masculinity. This way he will have more masculinity, which was what was desired of someone to be a leader during Shakespearian times. 


5. Othello says “My blood begins my safer guides to rule/And passion, having my best judgements collied/Assays to lead the way.” (lines 201-203) What does this quotation reveal about the effects of Iago’s knavery in this scene?
Othello describes himself as to be irrational and being uncontrollable once he is led by emotions, which links Othello as John Porey's stereotype of black people, highlighting Shakespeare's era as being racist. This gives the audience clues as to what Iago's plan is because he wants to mess with Othello's emotions in order to lower him in the social hierarchy, although he is black he is still more powerful than Iago because of his high reputation. In summary, Othello is admitting that he often let anger take over himself, which is his hubris. This scene reveals that Iago has been wanting to play with the character's emotions from the start by being duplicitous towards them and so far he is succeeding.


6. Why is the scene important in relation to the play as a whole?
The audience can see just how evil a character Iago is by him causing chaos for the other characters and then coming out as the innocent one towards the end of the scene by manipulating the situations to his favour. In this scene, Iago has managed to present Cassio as a bad lieutenant towards Othello by getting him drunk and provoking him to fight through Roderigo. He also manages to convince Roderigo even further that Desdemona's second choice is Cassio, resulting in Roderigo having no second thoughts to Iago telling him to cause trouble. This has a knock on effect with Othello withdrawing lieutenant responsibilities, leading Iago to succeed in his plan.
Overall, the character's are revealed as all being very different. Cassio is seemed as a push over and very easily manipulated and Iago takes advantage of his kindness/hospitality. Iago cleverly makes himself look innocent even though he took his whole time to incriminate Cassio.