Desdemona's Insecurity In Othello

Devastated Cassio talks to Iago, who continues to play his role of the friend as he advises him to get back in Othello’s good graces by asking Desdemona to talk to Othello about him. Iago’s next plan is to get Othello to doubt his wife’s faithfulness to him. Being the only moor in the play, Iago is able to use Othello’s insecurity to push him over the edge. He slowly inches his way into Othello’s trust by showing him that he only has Othello’s best interest in mind. As he hints that Desdemona might be cheating on him with Cassio, Othello begins to give into his insecurity. Throughout the rest of the play, Iago builds his case, pushing Othello to the limit. When Desdemona begins asking Othello to forgive Cassio, his plot begins to consume Othello.

He places the handkerchief in Cassio’s room, providing further proof to Othello that Cassio is Desdemona’s secret lover. His next step is to get Cassio to talk about his lover Bianca, while Othello listens thinking that Cassio is talking about Desdemona. All the while, Desdemona continuously asks Othello to forgive Cassio, pushing Othello over the edge as he plots to kill Desdemona. It is not until the end that his guilt comes into Othello’s view. In fact, it is his wife Emilia, who gets the truth out. Iago killing her is the final proof of his guilt. Though he has been caught, Iago still acquires the upper hand. Othello is so caught up in grief that he kills himself stating “must you speak Of one that loved not wisely but too well”

In this play, two of the main characters that use deception are Regan and Goneril, the daughters of King Lear. Another character that uses deception is Edward, the bastard son of Gloucester. At the beginning of the play, King Lear is splitting his kingdom between his three daughters. He asks them to tell him how much they love him. This is where the first deceptive actions take place. Both Regan and Goneril flatter Lear with their responses. Goneril stating “I love you more than words can wield the matter” (1.1), and Regan stating “I find she names my very deed of love; Only she comes too short” (1.1). By using their wits to shower Lear with their love for him, they begin their path of manipulation as their try to obtain the kingdom. When their sister Cordelia, gives her piece, stating “I love your majesty According to my bond” (1.1), their plan goes into motion. Even when both Cordelia and Kent, Lear’s servant, warn him that he is making a mistake by falling for their tricks he doesn’t listen and instead banishes them both. Cordelia leaves, marrying the King of France and Kent disguises himself so that he can continue to work for Lear. When Lear splits his kingdom between the two, they have been able to manipulate Lear to get what they want. Later on in the play, the two end up forcing Lear to give up his