Throughout Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello, the audience is aware of Iago’s questionable character. The Moor’s ancient deceives the other characters by spreading rumors and appearing to be trustworthy. Discuss the false reputation and honor that Iago uses to further himself.
In Act II Scene III, Othello listens as Iago is beginning to explain who started the fight. Iago appears to regretfully tell who started the fight by saying “I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth/ Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio/ Yet, I persuade myself, to speak the truth/”. Although Iago pretends to be on Cassio’s side and soften the punishment for him, it is known that the whole fight was a part of Iago’s grand design. Even if the audience knows Iago is not loyal to his Moor, the cast is oblivious to the traitor in their midst. Here, Othello does not further question the ancient because of his reputation in Othello’s service. In this incident, the Moor’s ancient is strengthening the trust between the two, and appears to be kind yet honest.
As Othello and Iago discuss Iago’s ‘suspicions’ of Desdemona’s unfaithfulness in Act III Scene III, Iago appears to be a friend to Othello, protecting him from a promiscuous woman. Iago presents the conversation so Othello does not suspect him of anything, even unfriendliness, but Iago
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When the handkerchief is mentioned, Emilia begins to tell the events as they truly occurred and not through Iago’s scheming. Although he tries to silence her, she tells the men about a part of Iago’s foul plot, which then leads to him mortally wounding Emilia as she uncovers his true motives. This final example shows how Iago had no love for any other than himself and he would have done anything to keep his appearance of reputation. In this moment, he publicly loses all reputation and false honor before the other