Othello Act II scene iii, Act III scenes i and ii

In Act II scene iii they are having what I assume is the party anounced in Act II scene ii. since to open the scene it says, "Enter Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, and Attendants." (II, iii). If it weren't for the fact that it mentioned attendants I would have assumed that it wasn't Othello and Desdemona's party since they left so quickly. Or, as I have just realized, that was probably the end of their party. Othello says to Cassio, "Good Michael, look you to the guard to-night." (II, iii, line 1). This shows that it is the end of the night and they need to quit partying and get back to their real lives, for example, guarding themselves from invasion.

Iago and Cassio chat about Desdemona. It seems that Iago is leading on Cassio, saying things like, "I'll warrant her, full of game." (II, iii, line 19), and, "When she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?" (II, iii, lines 26-27). Iago is encouraging Cassio to listen to his feelings about Desdemona and not smother them out of respect to his general, Othello. I believe that Iago may be playing on the same scheme he thought of last time. I believe that this set-up gives Iago the potential to steal Desdemona from Othello. It is a much more indirect way of stealing Desdemona than I had thought of, but it does keep Iago away from suspicion.

I find it ironic that Cassio knows he shouldn't drink, "I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking." (II, iii, lines 33-34). Others know he is an alcoholic that shouldn't be drinking, "One of an ingrafty infirmity," (II, iii, line 140). Yet Cassio still ends up completely drunk, listening to the songs Iago is singing with delight, and picking fights, "I'll knock you o're the mazzard." (II, iii, lines 153-154) Cassio says to Montano after he (Montano) tries to steady Cassio.

Another thing, even more ironic, is that Othello is scolding Cassio. In any other situation Othello the moor would never have had the superiority over Cassio to tell him what to do much less strip his title. Cassio is literally begging Othello to give him another chance, "I pray you pardon me, I cannot speak." (II, iii, line 189). Othello decides to demote Cassio calmly and in as nice a way as he could, "Cassio, I love thee, but never more be officer of mine." (II, iii, lines 247-248). I think that it's very telling of Othello's character that he doesn't make a show of his power over Cassio even though the play talks about the had life Othello had been forced to lead, most likely by people like Cassio. Cassio being a fairly high ranking white Catholic.

Iago is trying to force Cassio and Desdemona by telling Cassio that Desdemona will make it possible for him to get his job back. Iago says, "Confess yourself freely to her; importune her help to put you in your place again." (II, iii, lines 318-319). I don't think that this plan has any chance of getting Cassio back his job but I do believe that it will start to form a crack between Othello and Desdemona. I believe that this is really what Iago has an interest in.