"Othello, the Moor of Venice" Part 2

    In the first scene of Act IV, dramatic irony collides with Iago's deceptive ways nearly to the point of confusion.  By this point, Iago has become a master puppeteer.  While Iago is lightly discussing Bianca with Cassio, Othello believes them to be talking of Desdemona.  "Now will I question Cassio of Bianca...As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad, And his unbookish jealously must construe Poor Cassio's smiles, gestures, and light behavior Quite in the wrong" (Shakespeare, 1429, IV.i.91;98-101).  Iago orchestrates the situation perfectly.  Bianca arriving at the last minute with the handkerchief in hand was the cherry on top.  For Iago, the situation could not have worked itself out more perfectly.  However, the anger that Othello expresses in whispers while Cassio and Iago are speaking shows that he was truly in love with Desdemona.  No matter what she does, that love for her is still there.  This fact is below Iago's scope of awareness.  Iago obviously does not have these feelings for Emilia; therefore, he cannot comprehend how deep Othello's predicament is.  His desire to think the affair untrue can be seen in the opening of scene 2 when Othello questions Emilia about the affair.