O, behold,
The riches of the ship is come on shore!
Ye men of Cyprus, let her have your knees.
Hail to thee, lady! and the grace of heaven,
Before, behind thee, and on every hand,
Enwheel thee round!
– William Shakespeare
Othello, Act 2, Scene 1. Does Cassio unintentionally help set himself up for Iago’s plot against him with claims that he is having a love affair with Desdemona? Cassio’s very public and effusive praise for Othello’s wife certainly provides ammunition for that. His gallantry and courtesy are open to misinterpretation and make him vulnerable to accusations of flirtation and worse. Announcing Desdemona’s arrival in Cyprus, Cassio kneels to greet her and demands that the men of Cyprus do the same. In a metaphor he compares her to "the riches of the ship." He seems to worship her as a Virgin Mary-like figure in his use of heavenly imagery – "grace of heaven" – in his welcome speech. Future events are foreshadowed by Cassio’s words.