First Impressions Of Cassio In Othello

Cassio is Othello’s new lieutenant. This promotion upsets Iago, who feels that he would be a better fit for the job. In the opening scene of the play, Iago shapes the audience's initial opinion by spending the whole first act of the play bashing Cassio and his lack of true military experience. During Iago’s rant, he tells us that he “never set a squadron in the field” (I.i.23). This creates an instant dislike of Cassio, and portrays him as weak and naive, a reputation that Iago takes advantage of by using Cassio as the main pawn in his evil scheme to ruin Othello.
One of Cassio’s most important traits is honesty. Cassio works hard to uphold a good reputation, and remain honorable, especially to Othello, but will give up his reputation if
This sense of trust luled Cassio into thinking Iago was his friend, leaving him open to Iago’s scheme. This is best demonstrated by the drunken brawl endorsed by Iago. Cassio thought a few drinks among ‘friends’ was fine until his so called friend pushed him to get drunk. This wild night out not only got Cassio fired, it caused Othello to lose trust in his former lieutenant and best friend. This loss of trust from Othello once again played directly into Iago’s hand. If Cassio had not been so naive to trust the guy who wants to steal his job, he would not have turned to Desdemona for help getting his job back and Iago’s plan would have been halted. Cassio, on the other hand, had much less of an effect on Iago. Credulous and unable to see through Iago’s rhetoric, Cassio had a positive effect on Iago’s scheme by providing examples of a relationship between him and
In the beginning of the play, Cassio is a devoted lieutenant and best friend to Othello. The turning point for Cassio is his fight with the Duke of Cypress, this puts a strain on Cassio and Othello’s relationship by forcing Othello to tell his best friend that he will “never more be and officer of mine” (II.ii.212). Cassio’s unprofessional conduct marks Othello’s loss of trust in Cassio. This creates an uncertainty in Othello’s mind, which is later exploited by Iago, turning Cassio from the devoted friend and lieutenant to a wife stealing liar in Othello’s mind. Cassio himself has also been humbled after his fight, making him less confident, which pushes him to meet with Desdemona to win back Othello’s favor. While this transformation is vital to the play, the fact that Cassio’s and Iago’s relationship does not change is also significant. Even after losing his job, Cassio continues to trust Iago until the end of the play when Iago stabs Cassio in a Caesar-esque fashion. This constant in the play is an important one, Iago has everyone fooled up until Emilia discovers what Iago used the handkerchief for. By the end of the play Cassio is one of the few that are left standing. Although wounded by Iago, Cassio lives but is still unaware that Iago is behind the whole scheme. Cassio lives to see the end of Iago but loses both Othello and Desdemona in the