Iago plants seeds of covetousness in Othello by telling him of a sexual intent relationship forming between Desdemona and Cassio. However, Othello does not believe Iago and calls for proof of this hypocrisy: "Villain, be sure thou prove my love a whore;/ Be sure of it. Give me the ocular proof;/ Or, by the worth of man's eternal soul,/ Thou hadst been better have been born a dog/ Than answer my wak'd wrath!" (III.iii.398-403). Although, Iago has made Othello envious of Cassio by the idea of the possible affair, he does not fully persuade Othello of these false charges. Iago realizes that the only way to convince Othello is to plant Desdemona's handkerchief in the hands of Cassio. Iago uses this handkerchief as the core of his sabotage. Iago tells Othello that he will talk to Cassio about Desdemona while Othello hides to watch Cassio's emotions. However, Iago does not talk about Desdemona to Cassio; he talks about Cassio's whore, Bianca. Iago hints to Cassio about marring Bianca, which causes Cassio to laugh. While the two are talking, Bianca storms in with Desdemona's handkerchief and throws it at Cassio. It is because of these actions that send Othello to believe that Desdemona is having an affair. Othello says, "let her rot, and perish, and be damned to-night; for/ she shall not live: no, my heart is turned to stone; I strike/ it, and it hurts my hand" (IV.i. 498-501). The discovery of Othello's wife's .
Burke 3.
infidelity devastates Othello and causes him to become envious of Cassio for stealing Desdemona's love. Iago successful accomplishes his mission of revenge by causing Othello to become plagued by the "poisonous jealousy" he feels. As the play concludes, Desdemona's unfaithfulness is proven false, but Othello realizes the truth too late and takes Desdemona's life as well as his own. Jealousy is the source of pain and death for these tragic characters; the green-eyed monster has succeeded in killing them.
