Othello Act 2 Scene 3

Visual Component



Roderigo is drinking in the party. 
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Summary
Othello leaves Cassio on guard and goes to celebrate his marriage with Desdemona. Iago comes and tries to convince Cassio that Desdemona is a tempress and brings him to drink in the party. Iago tells the audiance him plan is to lead Cassio into committing an action.   Cassio then gets drunk in the party and wanders around the stage. Cassio talks about Cassio's drinking problem with Montano. Roderigo enters and Iago points him Cassio's position, then Cassio gets into a fight with Roderigo. As Montano tries to stop the fight, Cassio stabs him. Iago orders Roderigo to cry for a mutiny. Othello comes and asks Iago what happened. Iago pretends to be reluctant to incriminate Cassio. Othello falls into Iago's trap and dismisses Cassio. Cassio then laments the permanent damage on his reputation. Iago suggests him to seek help from Desdemona because Desdemona commands Othello's goodwill. After Cassio leaves, Iago tells audience that Cassio will spend time with Desdemona and it becomes easier to convince Othello Desdemona has been cheating on him. Finally, Roderigo enters and complains Iago has taken all him money and wants to leave. Iago assures Roderigo that everything is going according to their plan. Iago tells audience that he will let Othello witness Cassio's suit to Desdemona. 


Character Development - Iago
In this scene, Iago becomes fraudulent and treacherous as he plans to get Cassio drunk, lead him commit a crime, disgrace him, let Desdemona speaks for Cassio and finally convince Othello that Desdemona cheats him. Iago tells Montano that Cassio is unreliable as a lieutenant with a severe drinking problem, which shows his plan of causing Monatano's objection toward Cassio, "He'll watch the horologe a souble set / If drink rock not his cradle." (2.3.135-136). Iago is deceitful as he tells Montano that he wants to help Cassio with his drinking problem, "I do love Cassio well and would do much / To cure him of this evil" (2.3.150-151). We know that Cassio's drunkenness is part of his plan, he wouldn't help Cassio with anything. When Othello comes and asks Iago what happen, Iago pretends to be reluctant to incriminate Cassio by saying that "In opposition bloody. I cannot speak any beginning to this peevish odds." By doing this, Iago wins Othello's trust and makes Othello believes that Cassio fails his responsibility. Othello falls into Iago's trap and dismisses Cassio from his service. It becomes ironic when Othello praises him, "Iago is most honest" (2.3.6), and Cassio also trusts him: "Not tonight, good Iago." (2.3.28). It indirectly shows Iago's dangerous disguise. Iago could use his disguise to make plan and cheat Othello. It is where Iago's character develops, sinister and insidious. 


Interesting Question
Q: What is Cassio thinking in head when he is drunk?
A: " I'm the most honorable man and I'm so proud of my reputation as being the lieutenant of general Othello. Othello's wife, Desdemona, is so pretty and if I can ever win her heart, my life will be perfect. If someone humiliates me about my position, I want to throw away my courtesy and just beat him down.