It is fair to say that Iago feels hatred for Othella, and it is not unfounded, which is emphasized by some fragments of the play. The main reason for the discord is that Othello slept with his wife and justifies all the negativity toward Iago. It is logical that a person who believes that he has been made a cuckold is capable of revenge. The following remark emphasizes this statement:… The assumption that the devil embraced my wife eats away my insides with poison, let him pay his debt for his wife with his wife…” (II, 1, 203). Readers may be confused by the sharpness Iago reaches in the rush of his life; however, a man for whom reputation plays a decisive role capable of great atrocities. This statement can emphasize with the following lines: “… there is nothing in the world more innocent in appearance than the machinations of hell…” (II, 2, 219). These words emphasize the awareness of actions on the part of Iago, which means that the reader will have less and less desire to protect him. In his view, Othello destroyed in him not only a husband but also a soldier, preferring another promotion. The sense of justice and resentment negation reflected Iago in the further development of events.
The handkerchief is very important for Othello and, at the same time, serves as a signal of Desdemona’s infidelity. Out of a sense of revenge, Iago suggests that there is a love affair between Othello’s wife and Cassio, but they refuse to believe him and demand direct evidence. The handkerchief is the best proof that Desdemona has entered into an intimate relationship with Cassio, and therefore Iago asks his wife to steal the handkerchief. Iago’s plan worked at the moment when Othello realizes that Cassio has a handkerchief and, from this, falls into despair. The bottom line is that this handkerchief is not easy, and it contains magic that allows Othello to love Desdemona (III, 3, 270). The loss of the scarf, in turn, foreshadows that the main character no longer loves his beloved.
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. “Othello: [1622].” Oxford Text Archive Core Collection (1991).