With Iago’s urging, Roderigo ambushes Cassio. In a short soliloquy, Iago reveals that both men dying is an ideal outcome for him because if Roderigo lives, he will demand Iago return the jewels, and if Cassio lives, he may find out about Iago’s lies to Othello. Iago is furthermore jealous of Cassio’s beauty and grace. In the fight, Cassio wounds Roderigo, but Iago then stabs Cassio in the leg from behind and flees. Cassio calls for help and Othello enters, pleased that Iago has made good on his pledge to murder Cassio. He says that Iago is a model for how he himself should act, and Othello declares his intention to murder Desdemona.

Lodovico and Gratiano, another Venetian statesman, hear Cassio’s and Roderigo’s cries. They go to investigate along with Iago, and when Cassio implicates Roderigo, Iago stabs and kills him, then continues to wonder who the murderers are. Iago offers to bind Cassio’s wound with his shirt, and when Bianca enters, Iago calls her “trash” (99) and announces that he suspects she is behind the attack.

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