Act 5, Scene 1

Iago claims to know nothing of the battle between Roderigo and Cassio, and he pretends to be merely discovering it, even though he is the mastermind of the entire situation. Iago is many selves in this act; he is friend and advisor to Roderigo, then betrayer and murderer of Roderigo, consoler of Cassio, and the lead officer in this crisis. He uses misrepresentation to fill each of these roles as best he can, and not let the others know of his true plans and character. And he nearly succeeds.