Othello (Blog 5)
By: William Shakespeare

In Act IV, Scene 1, Iago further proves that he is a round character.  Although it has already been very evident throughout the entirety of the play, this scene includes Iago the whole time, and readers can see how he acts differently towards everyone- Othello, Cassio, and the audience.  Iago comes up with a plan to have Othello listen in on a conversation with Cassio, causing him to think that Cassio is bragging about his "affair" with Desdemona.  When Iago is talking with Othello, he acts like he is a concerned friend.  He pretends to be upset about Desdemona sleeping with Cassio, so he tries to comfort Othello and give him advice.  Iago acts very different when he talks to Cassio; he laughs and encourages Cassio to tell him about Bianca.  When Iago begins to talk to Cassio (while Othello is listening while in hiding), he quietly brings up Bianca.  While Cassio laughs about it, Othello thinks that he is talking about Desdemona.  "So, so, so, so.  They laugh at that win" (IV.i.119).  This quote shows that Othello is bothered by Cassio laughing, even though he doesn't know that Cassio is actually laughing about Bianca.  Lastly, when Iago speaks to the audience, his evil side is revealed.  He tells us his evil plans to ruin the lives of Othello, Desdemona, and Cassio.