This extract is set in a scene in the play where Iago implements his plan of action to tear Othello and Desdemona assunder and implant untrue notions of Desdemona in Othello's mind to get back at Othello for installing Cassio as his second-in-command instead of him and, for the success that Othello has been bestowed with despite being in a civilised white society that termed his race as the Barbarians. The themes of trust, deception and jealousy run dominant throughout the whole extract and we see a further development of characters on the part of Othello especially, and a further confirmation of Iago's evil nature.

Deception, a dominant theme in the extract which is especially employed by Iago to achieve his means manifests itself through the use of language, dramatic action and psychological tactics. We see his sharpness in character throughout the extract as he employs these devices...