ACT 2


Scene 1 – Key Scene Extended Commentary The plot thickens (lines 231–328)


Iago and Roderigo are left alone together while the others proceed to the castle. Iago immediately casts doubt on Desdemona’s reputation by claiming that she is having a secret affair with Cassio, ‘Desdemona is directly in love with him’. He belittles Othello’s character by accusing him of boasting and ‘telling fantastical lies’. Roderigo finds it hard to believe Iago’s insinuations because he worships Desdemona, whom he regards as ‘full of most blessed condition’. Yet Iago succeeds in his insinuations that ‘the subtle slippery knave’ Cassio had an ulterior motive in his shows of gallantry.


Her eye must be fed; and what delight shall she have to look on the devil?


Iago Act, 2 Scene 1, l.243–5


Iago deliberately twists Cassio’s actions, ‘Didst thou not see/ Her paddle with the palm of his hand?’ He convinces the credulous Roderigo to provoke Cassio, who is easily angered, ‘very sudden in choler’, while he will then ‘cause these of Cyprus to mutiny’. If the plan to discredit Cassio works, he will be relieved of his position as lieutenant.


This key scene concludes with another revealing soliloquy from Iago. He is well aware of Othello’s positive qualities, ‘constant, loving, noble’. Iago’s stated motives for revenge are that he suspects both Othello and Cassio of being his wife’s lovers. Yet there is no real evidence that Emilia has been unfaithful. But Iago believes the worst about people and labels them as he sees fit, contemptuously dismissing Roderigo as ‘poor trash of Venice’. He intends to make an ‘ass’ out of Othello by putting him in ‘a jealousy so strong/ That judgment cannot cure’. His twisted plan is almost ready, ‘Knavery’s plain face is never seen, till used’.


Shakespeare’s Dramatic Style


The action moves to Cyprus where it will remain for the rest of the play. It is a dangerous, uncertain setting, far removed from cultured, cosmopolitan Venice. The stormy weather heightens the mood of wild impulse and unrestrained passion. The ‘guttered rocks and congregated sands’ are ‘Traitors’. Vivid description, ‘wind-shaked surge’, and violent verbs (‘shook’, ‘ruffianed’) convey the intensity.


Shakespeare also uses the setting to foreshadow the confusion that is about to wreak havoc in the lives of the central characters. Othello’s passionate declaration of love to Desdemona is ironic, ‘If it were now to die/ ’Twere now to be most happy’. Little does he know what the future holds for him and his wife.


Vivid imagery emhasises Iago’s cruel plans. He is like the spider weaving a web of deceit by turning a character’s best qualities against him. He observes Desdemona and Cassio, who ‘takes her by the palm’ and snidely remarks, ‘with as little a web as this will I ensnare as great a fly as Cassio’. He sneers at the harmony evident between Othello and his wife, ‘you are well tuned now’ and coldly resolves to destroy their love by loosening the ‘pegs that make this music’ to throw all into chaos.


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