11Appearance vs.
reality
Especially relevant to the issue of Iago's character; for although he is called "honest" by almost everyone
in the play, he is treacherous, deceitful, and manipulative. This also applies to Desdemona,
as Othello believes that she is deceitful and impure, although she is really blameless and innocent. This
theme contributes greatly to the tragedy, as Iago is able to engineer his schemes due to the perception
of others of his honesty. Othello's decision to murder his wife is hastened by a conversation in
which Cassio speaks of Bianca; Othello assumes the man is talking about an affair with Desdemona.
Misrepresentation allows Iago to gain trust and manipulate other people; he is able to appear to be
"honest," in order to deceive and misdirect people. Although the word "honest" is usually used in an
ironic way throughout the text, most characters in the play go through a crisis of learning who and who
not to trust. Most of them, unfortunately, trust in Iago's honesty; this leads to the downfall of many
characters, as this trust in Iago's "honesty" became a crucial contributor to their undoing. Discovering or
uncovering reality would have changed the course of the play.
Reality and appearance
The contrast between what is reality and the appearance of something is also used by Shakespeare.
There are many references to it, with Iago saying that 'Men should be what they seem' (and Iago is
clearly not what he seems), to Othello asking for 'ocular proof' or proof that he can see. Of course, what
Othello actually sees isn't what he thinks it is. So when he sees and hears Cassio talking about
Desdemona, Cassio is actually talking about another woman.
Othello also believes the story about Cassio wiping his beard on the valuable handkerchief. The only
'proof' is Iago's word, which is a lie. Othello is fooled in other ways too - he hears a scream and then
assumes Cassio is dead, but he is only injured. However, the most important difference between reality
and appearance is that Othello continues to think that Iago is of 'exceeding honesty', but everyone in
the audience knows this isn't the case
Consider Iago’s description of his feelings toward Othello. What do we learn about his character his
speech?
Topic Sentence: In this speech, Iago discusses his views on military service and explains his plan to
manipulate Othello to Roderigo.
Evidence and quote integration: He begins by describing two types of ‘knaves’: those that are ‘honest’
and those that ‘keep yet their hearts attending on themselves’. Iago identifies himself with the latter
category, emphasising at the end of the speech, ‘I am not what I am’.
Explanation: The audience learns about Iago’s motivations to usurp Othello by pretending to be loyal,
but secretly plotting against him. Hence, this speech precedes one of the play’s major themes, by
highlighting the gap between appearance and reality through the duplicitous nature of Iago.
What does the handkerchief symbolise in this exchange between Iago and Othello? Use a direct quote
in a short-answer response. (IV.i.5–22)
In this conversation between Iago and Othello, the handkerchief represents the sanctity of the marriage
bond. Iago’s brings it up to provoke Othello’s emotions, which makes him increasingly unstable and
more vulnerable to Iago’s deception. Iago uses the symbol of the handkerchief to stand in for
Desdemona’s fidelity, explaining that it is impossible to truly see Desdemona’s honour as ‘an essence
that’s not seen’ and warning Othello that people that may appear to be honourable are often not
(IV.i.16–17). The handkerchief, from Iago’s perspective, provides tangible proof of Desdemona’s honour
as a symbol of their marriage bond because it is the first gift Othello gave to Desdemona. The act of
giving away the handkerchief is symbolic of Desdemona weakening their marriage bond.
