Oh But For Love

Othello - William Shakespeare

The things we do for those we love. In the end of the third act, the duo of Emilia and Iago have gained a pawn in their game against Othello: Desdemona's hankerchief. Through their interaction, we see how he still belittles her and she backtalks him (as women weren't supposed to do back then). I don't view her as completely aware of the evil surrounding her husband as she claims that "What he will do with it Heaven knows, not I. I nothing know, but for his fantasy," (Act III. iii. 298-300). But, she seem to know exactly how to trick Desdemona by copying the pattern. Her momentary evil is quickly forgotten though, as the poison in Othello's mind causes the cheating issue to come to a head, Iago gets what he wants. Successfully, he destroys Othello's happy marriage and Cassio's reputation with one foul swoop and takes over the position of lieutenant, all the while claiming that he says and does the things he does out of a love for Othello.