Othello Acts I-III

Throughout Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago twists the words of the characters he interacts with and uses it to undermine them. Cassio tells Iago that he cannot handle alcohol but Iago encourages him anyway. Iago tells Montano that Cassio is an alcoholic and drinks himself to sleep every night: " 'Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep./He'll watch the horologe a double set,/If drink rock not his cradle." (II.iii.110-113). Mantano believes every word of this and insults Cassio by calling him a drunkard. Cassio fights him and Othello strips him of his rank, all according to Iago's plan. This example of dramatic irony contributes to Othello's demise. The reader knows of Iago's lies and schemes, yet the characters believe him to be honest and good. Cassio has now lost his position in the army and must now seek Othello's forgiveness. With Iago's help, he decides to ask Desdemona to pursuade Othello; however, Iago will use their interactions to accuse them of having an affair. Every occasion of dramatic irony foreshadows the demise of Othello.