It were well
The general were put in mind of it.
Perhaps he sees it not; or his good nature
Prizes the virtue that appears in Cassio,
And looks not on his evils.
– William Shakespeare
Othello, Act 2, Scene 3. After Iago manipulates Cassio into drinking too much wine, Montano believes that Othello must be informed of his drunken behavior. The theme of appearance vs reality is in evidence here, as Montano says that Othello may be blinded to Cassio’s excessive drinking by his good nature and Cassio’s virtue. This passage illustrates the motifs of sight and blindness. Ironically it’s not Othello’s failure to see Cassio’s flaws that Montano should worry about, but rather those of the devious Iago. One of Othello’s biggest flaws is that he is a poor judge of character and he has a huge blind spot where Iago is concerned.