I can't help but to be curious as to Iago's malicious intentions regarding Othello. It seems that he doesn't wish to kill him, because manipulations and "sucking-up" would not help him at all in this regard. I think that he must plan to prosper from some sort of downfall of Othello. Maybe he hopes to take Othello's place with the Italian navy? Or to inherit his favorable place among the leaders of the state like the Duke. Then again, how would the downfall of Cassio help in any of these matters, other than the amount of personal audience that Iago would then have with Othello if he were appointed as his right-hand-man. Overall, Iago's manipulations grow more and more obvious, especially in regards to Cassio. In Act II Scene i, "If such tricks as these strip you out of your lieutenantry, it had been better you had not kissed your three fingers so oft, which now again you are most apt to play the sir in." This passage is Iago discussing how Cassio's courtesy towards women could actually end up getting him in trouble. Then toward the end of Act II, Iago actually causes the demotion of Cassio when he pressures him into getting drunk amongst the end-of-war celebrations. In his drunken state, Cassio makes foolish decisions that confirm his demotion and the success of Iago's wicked plan. It should be interesting to discover what other havoc Iago's manipulations and sly intentions might provoke.
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