Othello 2.3 L. 278-410

Cassio had just been fired from his job and he is quite distressed. He believes that he had lost his reputation and Othello now despises him. Iago is comforting him and saying that he shouldn't worry because Cassio was under alcohol and it wouldn't ruin his reputation. He continues to say that Othello probably doesn't hate him and there's a chance for him to have Othello trust him again. He advises Cassio to talk to Desdemona in hopes of having her be a spokesperson. Iago's goal is to have Othello suspect Desdemona is cheating on him so he is planning to have Cassio be a suspect. Cassio agrees and ironically leaves after calling Iago honest. Iago's has another small soliloquy where he ridicules Cassio for being naive and goes over his plan with the audience. Roderigo then enters and he is wanting to go back to Venice because he ran out of money. Iago convinces Roderigo that soon there will be a chance for him to win over Desdemona and he should stay.

There is the motif of devils and demons in this scene. Cassio says "Oh thou/invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be/known by, let us all thee devil" (300-303). He continues to call alcohol and drunkness the devil and devil works and he is implying that the devil had caused him to lose his temper and job. The devil also points to Iago as he is seen as an evil person who is twisted and able to manipulate people to his liking.

How crucial of a part will Roderigo be in the future?
Iago had already manipulated and used Roderigo to his liking and now he had run out of money. Iago might be able to find more ways of using Roderigo, but Iago is not likely to care about whether or not Roderigo is able to woo Desdemona as he is using Cassio. 


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Iago's actions during these lines are like a friend who is pretending to be helpful and supportive, only to backstab you later.