Othello 2

This section of the play Iago distinguishes himself by making it clear that he is completely detached from a regular person's perception when it comes to matters of morality and social relationships. For instance, when he is consoling Cassio about his recently damaged reputation, he says "Reputation is an idle and most false impositon: oft got without merit, and lost without deserving" (II.iii.286-289). This statement, though originally intended to comfort, can also be see as a statement about Iago himself. He is clearly a person will an undeserving reputation, because he is well liked by both Cassio and Othello despite the fact that he is plotting against both of them. His belief that many reputations are underserved could serve as explaination for when he so readily despises people. Iago also displays a warped sense of morality when he attempts to justify his manipulation of Cassio, saying "How am I then a villain to counsel Cassio to this parallel course, directly to his good?" (II.iii.368-379). To any normal person Iago's attempt to decive Othello by using Cassio is clearly wrong, but Iago interprets this as a positive act beacuse it happens to benefit Cassio. However Iago call his conviction into question immediatly afterwards by comparing himself to the devil. A comparison that most people would struggle to see themselves positively in.