"I never knew A Florentine more kind and honest." (Act III, Scene 1, lines 38-39)
Major dramatic irony right there! Obviously, the audience understands that Iago is a deceiving character while Cassio assumes he is a great man. Iago is a master at tricking everyone into seeing him in a different light. For example, Roderigo sees Iago as a close friend. Othello thinks Iago as a wise, level-headed adviser and soldier. Cassio (as shown above) figures Iago is "kind and honest." But what these characters do not see are the evil soliloquy's that follow each act. Iago is constantly plotting against his close companions and friends. Eventually, I think this web of lies will cause self-destruction. Trickery can only take a person so far.
I find it interesting that Desdemona is the only character who actually finds a flaw in Iago's character. When they are talking about "the perfect woman," Iago reveals that the "true" place for a women is in the home cooking and taking care of children. Desdemona shakes this insult off, but I feel as if this comment will come back to haunt Iago. Desdemona shows compassion towards Iago's wife, Emilia, while Iago constantly insults her intelligence and appearance. Iago's attitude points to the common attitude of men around the time of Shakespeare. Even when acting out a Shakespearean play, men acted as woman characters in order to keep the women off stage. I think Shakespeare is trying to make a social commentary about society's treatment of women. I hope that Desdemona proves women can be strong too, stronger than the lies Iago spews.
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