's done my office. I know not if't be true, but I for mere suspicion in that kind, will do as if for surety." [Act I, Scene III, Line 363] The motivelessness comes from the possibility of truth in the rumor. Iago will use Desdemona's prime weakness, her naivet, to gain Cassios position. Iago reveals his plan; "His soul is so enfettered to her love, that she may make, unmake, do what she list, even as her appetite shall play the god with his weak function...And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor, I'll pour this pestilence into his ear, that she repeals him for her body's lust; And by how much she strives to do him good, she shall undo her credit with the Moor." [Act II, Scene III, Line 305] Without having much to do with Desdemona, Iago shall be her downfall. Without pity or empathy Iago intends to see her demise. In the movie, during this soliloquy, Iago bare-handedly holds the smoldering end of a fire log and snuffs it with the palm of his fist saying "So will I turn her virtue into pitch, and out of her own goodness make the net that shall enmesh them all." [Act II, Scene III, Line 320] Iago first had to gain trust from all the characters. He plies human nature with constant declarations of love; "I think you think I love you...I protest, in the sincerity of love and honest kindness." [Act II, Scene III, Line 276 and 290] The deception works. Othello: "Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter" [Act II, Scene III, Line 225] "An honest man he is, and hates the slime that sticks on filthy deeds . . . My friend, . . . honest, honest Iago." [Act V, Scene 2, Line 147] Cassio: "I never knew a Florentine more kind and honest." [Act III, Scene 1, Line 37] Iago builds his reputation; of this Iago says "Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit and lost without deserving." [Act II, Scene III, Line 244] Throughout the story he is called "Honest Iago." Iago is confident in his false reputati...
