Othello Act 2 Scene 3 and Act 3 Scenes 1 and 2

In Act 2 Scene 3, Othello and Desdemona's wedding celebration is going on. Cassio is on guard and Iago joins him. Iago convinces Cassio that it is too early to be guarding: "Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' th' clock." (II.iii.13-14). They start to talk about Desdemona and Iago thinks that she is a flirt and is capable of cheating on her husband: "What an eye she has! Methinks it sounds a parley to provocation." (II.iii.21-22), and "And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?" (II.iii.24-25). Cassio is convinced that she is attractive yet modest: "An inviting eye; and yet methinks right modest." (II.iii.23). Iago then encourages Cassio to have a few drinks to celebrate Othello: "Come, lieutenant, I have a stoup of wine, and here without are a brace of Cyprus gallants that would fain have a measure to the health of black Othello." (II.iii.27-30). At first Cassio resists and says he shouldn't drink: "Not tonight, good Iago. I have very poor and unhappy brains for drinking; I could well wish courtesy would invent some other custom of entertainment." (II.iii.31-34). Iago finally convinces Cassio to have a drink and he gets drunk: "Why, very well then. You must not think then that I am drunk." (II.iii.115-116). Cassio chases Roderigo threatening to hurt him: "A knave teach me my duty? I'll beat the knave into a twiggen bottle." (II.iii.144-145). Montano steps in: "Nay good lieutenant! I pray you, sir, hold your hand." (II.iii.148-149). Cassio threatens to hit Montano if he interferes: "Let me go, sir, or I'll knock you o'er the mazzard." (II.iii.150-151), and they get into a fight. A bell is rung and Othello enters. Montano is bleeding and Othello demands to know what happened. Cassio is so drunk he can't even remember what happened: "I remember a mass of things, but nothing distinctly; a quarrel, but nothing wherefore." (II.iii.287-288).
It is clear to me now that Iago is nothing but trouble and is doing a good job of making everyone's lives miserable. He was the one who convinced Cassio to drink even though Cassio made it clear that he gets drunk easily. I think it's all part of Iago's scheme to separate Othello and Desdemona.
In Act 3 Scene 1 Cassio has musicians play for Othello to ask for his forgiveness: "Masters, play here. I will content your pains. Something that's brief; and bid "Good morrow, general." (III.i.1-3). A clown enters and tells the band to go away: "But, masters, here's money for you; and the general so likes your music that he desires you, for love's sake, to make no more noise with it." (III.i.11-13). Cassio tells the clown that he wants to speak to Desdemona. Emilia enters and tells Cassio that Desdemona and Othello are discussing the matter: "The general and his wife are talking of it, and she speaks for you stoutly. The Moor replies that he you hurt is of great fame in Cyprus and great affinity, and that in wholesome wisdom he might not but refuse you. But he protests he loves you, and needs no other suitor but his likings to bring you in again." (III.i.42-47).
Desdemona supports Cassio, but Othello thinks that no one will take Cassio's side because the odds weren't in his favor considering the situation.Othello is willing to hear what Cassio has to say about it. I think Othello is being realistic. He trusts Cassio and supports him, but he knows the citizens won't take his side because they only know one side of the story.
In Act 3 Scene 2 Othello gives Iago some letters to deliver and looks at the fortification. I still have suspicions about Iago, but I guess I'll have to keep reading to find out his true motive.