My lord, I would I might entreat your honour
To scan this thing no further; leave it to time.
– William Shakespeare
Othello, Act 3, Scene 3. There is hidden irony in Iago’s words, as he advises Othello to stop dwelling on the idea of Desdemona having an affair with Cassio. By urging Othello to banish such thoughts from his mind, he is hoping that this will encourage Othello to think even more about the matter.