If Iago had told Othello right out that they were having an affair, Othello might consider that he had a motive for saying so. It would become an issue of "Who is lying? Iago or Desdemona?" and Othello would probably believe Desdemona. But by planting the seed of suspicion and then feeding it by downplaying it, Iago makes sure that Othello is not even aware that it is Iago that is telling him about the supposed affair. He thinks he's finding it out for himself. This way it does not become a credibility issue between Desdemona and Iago.
When Iago tells Othello Cassio slept with her.
Iago tells Cassio that he must persuade Othello to reinstate him. He says "the general's wife is now our general" and so the best way to persuade Othello is to get Desdemona to plead on Cassio's behalf. Since Iago has also told Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair, the harder Desdemona pleads, the worse it is going to look for both her and Cassio.
If Desdemona asked a favour on Cassio's behalf, it would look to Othello like she was doing it out of an improper love for Cassio. The harder she argues, the more suspicious it seems to Othello.
He tells him that the best way for him to get his place back is to get Desdemona to plead with Othello, which would probably be good advice if Iago had not at the same time suggested to Othello that Desdemona was having an affair with Cassio. Because of Iago's suggestion, Desdemona's concern for Cassio looks like confirmation of her having an affair with him.
Othello was just out of earshot when Iago talks to Cassio. He has told Othello that he is talking to Cassio about Desdemona but he is really talking about the woman that Cassio is really having an affair with, Bianca.
When Iago tells Othello Cassio slept with her.
Iago tells Cassio that he must persuade Othello to reinstate him. He says "the general's wife is now our general" and so the best way to persuade Othello is to get Desdemona to plead on Cassio's behalf. Since Iago has also told Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair, the harder Desdemona pleads, the worse it is going to look for both her and Cassio.
If Desdemona asked a favour on Cassio's behalf, it would look to Othello like she was doing it out of an improper love for Cassio. The harder she argues, the more suspicious it seems to Othello.
He tells him that the best way for him to get his place back is to get Desdemona to plead with Othello, which would probably be good advice if Iago had not at the same time suggested to Othello that Desdemona was having an affair with Cassio. Because of Iago's suggestion, Desdemona's concern for Cassio looks like confirmation of her having an affair with him.
Othello was just out of earshot when Iago talks to Cassio. He has told Othello that he is talking to Cassio about Desdemona but he is really talking about the woman that Cassio is really having an affair with, Bianca.
Desdemona. Iago says that Desdemona is the most influential person with Othello, so Cassio should get her to plead on his behalf. This sounds reasonable, except that Iago has suggested that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair, and this will heighten Othello's suspicions.
Brabantio is Desdemona's father. He becomes very upset when Desdemona elopes with Othello and accuses Othello of committing witchcraft in order to woo his daughter. Othello denies any wrongdoing and Brabantio warns Othello that if Desdemona deceived her father, she can deceive Othello as well. Brabantio dies from a broken-heart resulting from Desdemona's marriage.
Othello was just out of earshot when Iago talks to Cassio. He has told Othello that he is talking to Cassio about Desdemona but he is really talking about the woman that Cassio is really having an affair with, Bianca. In 'Othello' Iago tricks Othello by planting Desdemona's handkerchief in Cassio's room.
Iago sets out to trap Othello by several means. He persuades Desdemona to plead for Cassio and persuades Othello that Desdemona pleading for Cassio proves she is in love with him. He steals the handkerchief, persuades Othello that she has given it away to Cassio, then gives it to Cassio himself. He gets lucky as Cassio gives it to Bianca and she returns it in Othello's sight. He talks to Cassio about Bianca, telling Othello who can see (but not hear) that he is talking about Desdemona. All of this circumstantial evidence bolsters the outright lies that Iago tells about Cassio admitting to having an affair with Desdemona.
Iago had lied to Othello and convinced him that Desdemona was secretly having sex with Cassio.
Iago wanted to make Othello jealous of Cassio. Had he simply said "Cassio is having an affair with your wife", Othello could have dismissed it as a lie or a mistake. But by saying "I'm sure there is nothing going on between Cassio and your wife" Iago gets Othello to suspect Desdemona and to build up his suspicions on his own.
Iago wanted to make Othello jealous of Cassio. Had he simply said "Cassio is having an affair with your wife", Othello could have dismissed it as a lie or a mistake. But by saying "I'm sure there is nothing going on between Cassio and your wife" Iago gets Othello to suspect Desdemona and to build up his suspicions on his own.