In Othello, neither eyes nor ears are reliable. This happens when Othello overhears Iago and Cassio talk, apparently about Desdemona but actually about Bianca. Once Othello withdraws, Iago speaks of what he intends to do: .

             Now will I question Cassio of Bianca,.

             A huswife that by selling her desires.

             Buys herself bread and cloth. It is a creature.

             That dotes on Cassio, as 'tis the strumpet"s plague.

             To beguile many and be beguiled by one.

             He, when he hears of her, cannot restrain.

             >From the excess of laughter. Here he comes.

             Enter Cassio.

             As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad;.

             And his unbookish jealously must conster.

             Poor Cassio"s smiles, gestures, and light behaviors.

             Quite in the wrong. How do you know, lieutenant?.

             (IV, i, 95-105).

             .

             Here Iago greets Cassio after he returns. When Cassio returns to speak with Iago, Othello can only see the two men talking. Othello is subject to body movements, facial expressions, and the sound of the two men laughing. Because Othello cannot hear what Cassio has to say, he can only trust in Iago that the conversation is about Desdemona. After mentioning Desdemona"s name aloud, Iago speaks "lower" about Bianca. Iago is manipulating what Othello can hear by speaking indirectly of Bianca to Cassio. Once the two men engage further into the conversation, Cassio speaking of Bianca but Othello thinking he speaks of Desdemona, the two men, Iago and Cassio, begin to laugh about the situation. To know that Cassio laughs of her, Desdemona, and thinks of her as a "poor caitiff" (IV, i, 110), infuriates Othello. .

             When Bianca enters the conversation, Othello has moved closer so that he can hear, this manipulates the way he hears and sees things throughout the rest of the conversation between Cassio, Iago, and Bianca. She speaks of the handkerchief Cassio has given her. She says, "I was a fine fool to take it. I must take out the work? A likely piece of work that you should find it in your chamber and know not who left if there! This is some minx"s token, and I must take out the work? There" (IV, i, 150-153).