Act 2 Scene 3

Rachel Igoe

Mr. George

English Honors

8 November 2010

Quote Analysis Act 2 Scene 3

            Our general’s wife is now the general: I may say so in this respect, / for that he hath devoted and given up / himself to the contemplation, mark, and denotement of her parts and graces. Confess yourself / freely to her. Importune her help to put you in your place again. (II.iii.334-338)

            Iago is putting his plan into action by telling Cassio to talk to Desdemona about his position as a commander. Cassio believes that if he talks to Othello he will not get his job back because Othello has lost his respect for him. Since Desdemona has control over Othello now that they are married, Iago convinces him to talk to her instead. Every time that Iago mentions Desdemona to Cassio he always has to say how beautiful and generous she is because what he really wants is Cassio to steal Desdemona away from Othello. When Cassio goes to see Desdemona to talk about his position as a lieutenant, it could potentially end the friendship between Othello and Cassio. Iago is setting Cassio up because he wants Othello to be raging with jealousy.