Othello Act 3 Scene 3

Thinking, seeing, and knowing

• Imagery of thinking, seeing, and knowing demonstrates how Iago poisons Othello's mind so effectively.
• Othello is first made suspicious when Iago draws attention to Cassio's exit: 'I cannot think/That he would steal away so guilty-like/Seeing you coming'. Iago comments on what looks like physical evidence. He has started to interpret events for Othello. 
• By refusing to share his thoughts, Iago makes Othello desperate to know what they are- his irritation builds with his commands which are at first simply direct: 'Show me thy thought' become angry: 'By heaven, I'll know thy thoughts!'
• Iago says that he is reluctant to speak because his thoughts are 'vile and false', leading Othello to assume the worst.
• Othello's false belief in Desdemona's treachery is reflected in images of seeing and knowing…