How is the theme of knowledege of self and others used in Othello?

Perhaps the most identifying quote of the play "Othello"
is spoken by Iago:

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I am not what I am.
(1.i.65)

Here readers, or
watchers, of the play can recognize the fact that knowledge of self is very important.
Here Iago is defining the difference between how people can portray themselves to others
while hiding the reality of who they truly are.

This being
said, another way of looking at this is through ones own interpretation of who others
really are. What this means is that if a person can recognize the fact that they can
hide, or not know, who they really are what keeps others from doing the
same?

The fact that "ocular proof" is deemed as the end all
for the characters of the play is simplistically ironic. Too many times what people see
in others can be the public mask which they choose to show to the
world.

In the end, the theme of trust and perception
heighten the truth behind self knowledge and the knowledge of others. The statement
always remains: "I am not what I am."