Othello and Othello Bothered

Part of Iago's plan, which he called "Divinity of hell" (2.3.350--the kind of argument one would expect from Satan), was to "pour" the "pestilence" of Desdemona's infidelity into Othello's ear at the same time that Desdemona pleads for Cassio's reinstatement. Thus, the more she strives to do Cassio good, the deeper she will fall into the Moor's suspicion. Iago gleefully follows his Satanic role model. But his method in practice, in 3.3, is much more subtle than that. It consists of provocatively dropped hints, withheld knowledge, seeming reluctance to reveal what he knows, letting Othello apparently draw his own conclusions, warning Othello about going "too far" in his suspicions and finally, abject shows of loyalty. In this mini-essay I only treat the first.

Iago's Provocative Hints

Earlier in the play we saw Iago attempt two kinds of "knowledge experiments" to try to destabilize Othello. The first, in 1.2, did not work. It consisted of direct confrontation of Othello with incendiary terms concerning Brabantio's designs to "get him." By way of answer, Othello acted with such a dignified calm that crisis was averted. Then, in 2.3, Iago used a different tactic. He wittheld crucial knowledge about the quarrel that left Montano injured, and only gradually revealed it when he saw he had the Moor in his debt. The Moor's anger in 2.3 was the sign that he had given over his power in the conversation to Iago. Thus, Iago knows that to get the better of the Moor one should withhold information, and then let it out only gradually to him.

Iago will develop and refine this insight in 3.3. After the first mini-scene where Cassio pleads for Desdemona's help with Othello, Cassio sees Iago and Othello coming and, being "very ill at ease (3.3.32)," quietly takes his leave. His departure is noticed by Iago, and he remarks, "Hah? I like not that (3.3.35)." Perhaps reflecting on his experience in 2.3 where Iago's "knowledge" helped avert a further civil crisis, Othello queries, "What dost thou say (3.3.35)?" Othello's answer may be understood in one of two ways: either as a nonchalant response of a busy and preoccupied general or as a more focused query for knowledge from a person who has just shown himself to be full of useful information (in 2.3).

Iago's response is as cryptic as his first statement, "Nothing, my lord; or if--I know not what (3.3.36)." It is as if Iago is saying, 'Well, on second thought, I really don't want to bother you with my trivial concern. But then again. Well, forget it.' But telling Othello to "forget it" is playing into his insecurities as a minority, which manifest themselves in Othello's need to "get to the bottom" of things in a straighforward and transparent manner. Iago knows, therefore, that his comments in 3.3.35,36 are like little firecrackers, little hand-grenades, tossed into Othello's "mental compound." As a good soldier, a good minority soldier who cannot act other than with thoroughness and transparency, Othello must investigate.

Volunteering Knowledge

And so Othello takes the bait and responds. He answers by volunteering some knowledge. Iago's method is based not simply on giving partial answers and tantalizing hints to Othello; it also tries to elicit new knowledge from Othello, and it is sensitive to whatever scrap of information Othello reveals. When Othello reveals something that Iago has not fully planted, Iago takes it as a sign that this is something on Othello's mind that may be exploited and twisted for Iago's interests. We all reveal information about ourselves to others all the time; Iago is skillful enough to create the conversational context (through immediate confusion) that encourages Othello to tell what he knows or thinks he knows about a situation.

So, the additional knowledge Othello imparts is what he thinks he has just seen. "Was not that Cassio parted from my wife (3.3.37)?" Iago's seemingly reassuring response actually requires Othello to dig deeper, "Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it/ That he would steal away so guilty-like/ Seeing your coming (3.3.38-40)." Iago takes the little piece of information that Othello gives him, underplays it but then subtly overplays it. 'It couldn't have been Cassio,' he says, 'for why would he leave so abruptly like a guilty man?' Already Iago has planted an interpretation in Othello's mind, even while seemingly denying Othello's concern.

Iago's method here is reminiscent of Cassius' method in seducing Brutus to join the conspiracy against Julius Caesar. Brutus is ruminating to himself about "conceptions only proper to myself (JC 1.2.41)," and Cassio would like to draw Brutus out of himself. When the crowd's shout of acclamation for Caesar leads Brutus to say, "I do fear the people/ Choose Caesar for their king (1.2.79-80)," Cassius is right there with "Ay, do you fear it?" (1.2.80), as if the word fear had a talismanic character to it that had to be invoked or stroked. Then, a few lines later, Brutus uses the word "honor" twice (1.2.86,89) to show that honor is the concept with which he is wrestling. Not missing a beat, Cassius responds, "Well, honor is the subject of my story (1.2.92)." By using the words Brutus gave him, Cassius eventually takes charge of the conversation and leads Brutus into the conspiracy.

Iago will do the same, and will stimulate Othello to further questions.

[Next]