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Theme of misplaced trust in othello
An analysis of othello as character
An analysis of othello as character
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More handpicked essays just for you.
Theme of misplaced trust in othello
An analysis of othello as character
An analysis of othello as character
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Iago contributes to the tragic downfall of Othello, playing him like a fiddle. The human nature of Iago manipulates the trust
Othello’s confidence for a loyal man to maintain honesty and morals are contradicted through Iago’s actions: “in a man that’s just / They are close dilations, working from the heart, / That passion cannot rule” (3.3.123). Iago, due to the understatement to his name, is not perceivable as hateful. Othello’s willingness to sense Iago’s distress, and to believe his accusations, is because of the lack of awareness Othello has for his vengeance. Iago is of such little power and relevance within societal ranking that if he were to have intentions to sabotage anyone, which he does, are not considered, thus making him easily trustworthy to those of greater dominance. Society’s view of an individual determines how others consider and surmise their persona, though these conclusions may be false.
Iago knew that Othello trusted his character to the point that he would believe essentially everything Iago told him. "I will in Cassio's lodging lose this napkin, And let him find it. Triffles light as air are to the jealous confirmations strong as proofs of holy writs. This may do something. "(III.iii.320-324).
Why doesn’t he talk to Cassio and learn his side of the story? Similar to other characters in the play, Othello fears that the truth could be much more boring. Desdemona appears to feel the same way. She asks Iago, “What shall I do to win my lord again?” (4.2.176).
True Motives in Deceitful People Envy and deceit are catalysts for revenge. William Shakespeare idolized Geoffrey Chaucer and allowed him to influence his plays and poems. All of his works were written in a poetic language. In the tragedy, Othello, Shakespeare uses characterization and external conflict to create Iago’s deceptive, vengeful, and envious motives.
He expresses his jealousy for Cassio when he says that Othello “already chose [his] officer” who he calls “One Michael Cassio, a Florentine” who “never set a squadron in the field.” Iago believes he should have gotten the promotion because he had more military experience and training. After he gets Cassio drunk and dismissed from service, he devises a plan to manipulate Othello into believing he is cheating with Desdemona in order that Cassio never gets his position again or even killed. Iago also hears a rumor that Othello slept with his
Othello also trusts Iago so implicitly that he stakes not only his reputation on it, but also his wife. He holds such great faith in "thy (Iago's) honesty and love" that he relinquishes the care of his dear wife, Desdemona, to him, "I assign my wife to thee" (1.3.294-297). Othello’s open trust in Iago
Unfortunately, he trusted the wrong person due to his growing lack of self-esteem. Iago, a hypocrite who hid his evil thoughts by appearing as a man of extreme honesty, saw that he could erode Othello’s self-esteem because of who he was, a moor living in European society. He realized he could manipulate Othello for his own evil ends. He slyly used pathos to gain his trust, saying, “My Lord, you know I love you” (III.iii.118) to convince him of his honesty and reliability. Then he suggested the unpredictable nature of Desdemona by saying, “Ay, there’s the point: as, to be bold with you, not to affect many proposed matches of her own clime, complexion, and degree, whereto we see in all things nature tends - Foh!”
Iago embodies dishonesty using lies and deceit to entangle everyone in his trap. In Act 1, Roderigo questions Iago’s faithfulness to Othello. Iago answers by saying, “Whip me such honest knaves,” meaning he only pretends to be faithful and loyal to Othello, fooling him into trusting Iago (1.1.49). As the play progresses, people describe Iago as honest; however, Iago decieves everyone into believing his word. Othello frequently describes Iago as “A man he is of honesty and trust” (1.3.284) as well as “most honest” (2.3.6).
As it has been presented throughout the whole play, the hatred Iago has towards Othello has always been to get rid of him due to him being awarded Lieutenant. However, it seems that once Iago got promoted to Lieutenant shortly after Othello’s death, he stills seems to feel hatred. It maybe because Iago does not like himself and always was jealous of Cassio and Othello’s actions and how they were. Therefore, telling lies and creating schemes to make himself believable which he successfully does with Othello. They have known each other for a long time and the reason he trusts Iago because he is noble, smart with his words to allow others to have trust in
Othello starts to believe Iago’s lies about his friends and wife, leading Othello to change his behavior towards his closest allies. Iago instigates a fight between Cassio and Montano, and Othello must take charge of his soldiers, he says: Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee But never more be officer of mine. (2.3.210-213) Othello makes the decision to fire Cassio, and things get worse when Iago makes his wife, Emilia, steal Desdemona 's handkerchief.
Iago also manipulates Othello with jealousy. When Othello is gone at war, Iago tells him that Cassio and Desdemona were getting too close. At first Othello does not believe him, but by Iago saying “nothing,my lord; or if- I know not what” Othello starts to question if it is true (III. III. 39). Iago constantly uses his “innocence” to make Othello jealous and start to assume that it is true. These actions eventually lead to a tragic event.
Othello appeared to have sound judgment, but almost immediately after showing blind trust in Iago he lacked “the judicial temper, and in important crises [did] not observe the judicial procedures” (Martin 47). As soon as Othello shows blind trust in Iago Othello is only nominally “searching for evidence; in actuality he is crying for certainty at any price, and doing so in the office of prosecuting counsel” rather than take his time and make sound rational judgments (Kliger 137). Othello became completely ensnared in Iago’s web and believed Iago’s every word as
As a scheming villain, Iago begins to ensnare Othello into his trap of vengeance by echoing in Othello’s mind prospect of an affair between Cassio and Desdemona. Iago begins his insinuations by reminding Othello that Cassio served as their go-between during their courtship through a rhetorical
Iago is the character mainly responsible for all of the lies and drama in Venice. Iago gets his anger when Othello, an African American Muslim general, appoints Michael Cassio to be his lieutenant. Iago disagrees with this choice and feels as though he has more experience in battle compared to Cassio. In order to get the position of Lieutenant, Iago is willing to do anything and does not let any relationships get in the way of his plan. As a result of this, there is a significant amount of deception and suspicion caused by Iago to stir up trouble.