When Iago's deception is revealed in the final scene, it does not provide any catharsis for the audience because he seemingly goes unpunished. He uses his silence to conceal the complexities of his plans, and the only people who truly could have revealed the extent of his evil mastery are dead (Othello, Emilia, Desdemona, Roderigo). Thus, the only people left with any knowledge of Iago's deception are the audience. Unable to influence Iago's fate, the audience are rendered powerless, as Shakespeare seeks to invoke frustration within his audience- consequentially revealing the corruptive power of appearance and how it prevails over reality.