Othello III

Within the three acts of Shakespeare's Othello, the Moor of Venice, many characters label Iago as trustworthy, noble, and honest. However, he has a darker, more sinister side, which only the audience can see. He thrusts his honesty and can play a part so well. In Act III, Iago declares, "Men should be what they seem, Or those that be not, would they might seem none!" (III.i.128-129). If he actually believes this statement, he himself would be revealed. His smooth and trustworthy exterior would be discovered. The verbal irony still grows, but this declaration gave Iago Othello's admiration and trust. It strengthens Othello's conviction that Iago will never lie to him. Othello falls into quickly into Iago's snare; now, Iago can tell Othello anything with the knowledge that Othello will believe him. He manipulates this conviction by making Othello see Desdemona's concocted affair.