IAGO'S TRUST

Iago’s Trust The events that unfolded in act III seem to have been entirely dependant on trust; where the characters would not have done the things that they did had it not been for their trust in each other. Cassio has faith in Desdemona and trust that she will convince Othello to make him an officer again, Othello Trusts Desdemona that she will always be faithful to him, and everyone believes Iago and trusts that he is an honest man. While this shows that these characters are very compassionate in nature, it is this same belief in the goodness of others (specifically Iago) that will soon lead them to destruction. During the conversation where Iago and Othello discuss jealousy, there is a line said by Iago that I found very interesting. It reads; “I Men should be what they seem or those that be not, would they might seem none.” (Pg 594 lines 131-130). In the Glossary of the text this line reads; “if only those who are not what they seem didn’t seem to be what they are not.” This line to me seems to sums up the whole play right here, and is the very reason that this play is a tragedy. For as we see throughout this play, men are not always what they seem to be. Yet up till now all of the characters except Iago don’t really think like this. They all want to believe and trust what they perceive others to be and say, and with their trust, Iago will play them to his own ends. Is there a message that Shakespeare is saying through this play? Maybe that you shouldn’t always trust the person you think is most honest? Why does Emilia go along with Iago’s plans?