ming responsible. Cassio is relieved of his duty as lieutenant. With Cassio no longer in the position of lieutenant, this gives Iago the opportunity to more effectively interact with and manipulate Othello. By controlling Othello, Iago would essentially control Desdemona. To reach Desdemona directly is unforseeable for Iago considering that Othello is superior to him. It is for this reason that Iago decides to exploit Othello. If Iago can turn Othello against his own wife he will have defeated his opposition. Act III Scene III, is very important because it is the point in the play where Iago begins to establish his manipulation of Othello. Cassio feels that it is necessary to seek the help of Desdemona in order to regain his position of lieutenant and therefore meets with her to discuss this possibility. Iago and Othello enter the scene just after Cassio leaves, and Iago witfully trys to make it look like Cassio left because he does not want to be seen in the courtship of Desdemona. Iago sarcastically remarks :Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think itThat he would steal away so guilty-like,Seeing your coming.(Act III, Scene III)When Desdemona leaves, Iago takes the opportunity to strengthen Othello's views of honesty and trust towards him by saying ironically, "Men should be what they seem; / Or those that be not, would they might seem none! " (Act III, Scene III). This cleverness by Iago works upon one of the tragic flaws of Othello. Othello has a tendency to take eveything he sees and everything he is told at face value without questioning the circumstances. Iago wonders why someone would pretend to be something they are not, while in fact that is the exact thing he represents. Finally, after hearing the exploits of Iago and witnessing the events surrounding Cassio, Othello for the first time is in conflict about what is the truth. This is the first stage of Iago's scheme to control Othello. As Emilia becomes...
