Othello

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the while implying that he is reluctantly holding back the full truth: "I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth. Than it should do offense to Michael Cassio" (I.ii.21-22). This deception impresses and convinces that his officer is a good and loyal soldier. Iago also succeeds in deceiving Cassio. After Cassio's drunken fight, Iago counsels him to speak to Desdemona about trying to convince to reinstate him as lieutenant, all the while knowing that this will only prove helpful to his plan of having see him with Desdemona. Cassio answers him: "You advise me well . . . Goodnight, honest Iago" (II.iii.332/340). Thus, even Cassio is capable of being deceived by Iago. With all of this deception, it is a wonder that Iago is not Satan himself. He even gives an account to his plan of deception, in a soliloquy, in Act II. In comparing himself with Satan, he says:
When devils will the blackest sins put on. They do suggest at first with heavenly shows.
As I do now: ...

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Iago already has the appearance of being a good and honest man so he has an advantage when it comes to keeping that honest look about him throughout the story. Othello, it would seem, has fallen for this appearance when he tells Iago: "I am bound to thee forever" (III.iii.214). Othello relates this to Iago because he trusts him. Satan works in much the same way as Iago does. He creates something pleasant out of something totally evil by making it appear glorious. The apostle Paul makes a comparison between the appearance of men and Satan in II Corinthians: "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, ...

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