Act 2, Scene 3

Iago, much more than anyone else in the play, is always aware of what his status and his chances are; he is sharp enough to know when his plans are going to work, and when he needs to change his approach. "If consequence do but approve my dream, my boat sails freely, both with wind and stream" (II.iii.63-64). Perceptiveness is yet another motif in the play; it helps Iago do all of his dirty deeds, yet condemns Othello and Cassio when they cannot muster up enough of it to see that Iago is up to no good. Iago takes advantage of this flaw, and sets the quarrel in motion.

When Iago succeeds in manipulating Cassio, the rest of his plan at last falls into place, and in his soliliqoy, he states, "I will turn her virtue into pitch," he will "out of her own goodness make the net that shall enmesh them all" (II.iii.361-363). Once again, Iago closes the act with a speech addressed to the audience; although Othello is the title character, and his dilemma is central to the play, Iago is even more central to the events of the play, and to the audience.