The dual nature of the characters in Othello Many of the characters in Shakespeare's tragedy, Othello, are ambiguous to the extent that the way they are perceived in public does not correspond to the how they behave in private. Audience perception plays a very important role in the play Othello. The character of Iago uses his public perception as an honest man to deceive Othello and the other characters in the play. The audience's perception of Othello and Cassio played an important role in the play. The audience's perception of Iago played a very key role in the play. Everyone thought Iago was an honest man. “ Oh, that's an honest boy “, “You advise me well........goodnight honest Iago” - “........that's an honest boy” “I know you're full of love and honesty”. Iago has deceived everyone into thinking that he is a noble and honest man. Without this public perception of being honest he could never have convinced Othello to believe that Desdemona was cheating on him. Othello probably would have killed him if he didn't have the public perception that he was an honest man. Iago knew that a man as important as Othello could not ignore the possibility of his wife cheating on him. No one suspects that Iago is a deceitful man and that he plots and plans to destroy Othello, Cassio and Desdemona in such a cunning way. Iago used his public perception and Othello's insecurities as a Moor to allow him to manipulate Othello. Othello had the public perception of being a brave military man and leader. "Valiant Othello, we must hire you directly..." "Here are Brabantio and the valiant Moor." Othello has been a soldier since he was seven years old and has experience on the battlefield. Othello was chosen when they went to fight the Turkish fleet. Because of his public perception, it was not difficult for other people to accept the relationship between him and Desdemona. As Iago began to put ideas in Othello's head about Cassio and Desdemona being together, another side of Othello's personality began to emerge. Since Iago had the public perception of being an honest man, Othello could not ignore his insinuations about Desdemona. Othello wondered if Desdemona really loved him, or if she was simply using him to rebel against her father. With Iago constantly putting these ideas in his head, Othello was convinced to kill his wife. Cassius was known to be a good soldier and takes pride in that public perception..