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Examples Of Manipulation In Othello

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A major theme of the play, Othello, by William Shakespeare, is the manipulation by Iago. His character is very clever and is able to pin others against each other on the basis of a lie. His main goal is to ruin Othello’s life, as revenge for not promoting him. All his victims, Desdemona, Othello, and Casio, are not only victims to Iago’s schemes, but also victims of their own shortcomings. Cassio has dug himself into a deep hole by allowing Iago to persuade him to drink on the job. He was not only drunk, but he left his post and attacked Montano by stabbing him. Iago sticks up for Cassio, but Othello dismissed Cassio from his service regardless, exactly what Iago wanted. Iago tells Cassio “Our general’s wife is now the general…Confess yourself freely to her; importune her to help put you in your place again” (2.3.271-274). This gives Cassio hope that she can convince Othello to show mercy on him. …show more content…

She is doing it out of the kindness of her heart, but Iago is leading Othello to believe Cassio fancies his wife. When Desdemona and Cassio were speaking, Cassio quickly leaves and says “…I am very ill at ease, Unfit for mine own purposes” (3.1.31-32). Othello asked Iago if he saw Cassio departing from his wife and Iago says “…I cannot think it/That he would steal away so guiltylike/Seeing you coming” (3.1.38-40). When Othello asks Iago if he believes Cassio is honest, Iago puts ideas of adultery into Othello’s head and suggests he keeps a close eye on his wife when she’s around

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88). This quote directly tells the audience (and Iago) that Cassio trusts Desdemona a great deal to ask her to help him, making the two look suspicious to Othello once he hears of their friendship. And thus, Desdemona has lost her own husband's trust, and must cope with the

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526 Words | 3 Pages

Manipulation is often times blinded by the amount of trust in an individual. In William Shakespeare’s play Othello, the contrasting ideas of trust and manipulation are portrayed through the characters in “Act 2.” Although Iago and Othello appear to be similar in the beginning of the play, Iago reveals himself in “Act 2” by manipulating and destroying the lives of others. Shakespeare uses symbols to represent how the characters are completely oblivious to Iago’s actions.

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In The Tragedy of Othello, Shakespeare uses the flaws in each character to use against them. Iago the main antagonist is able to use these flaws to his advantage. Iago uses Rodrigo’s love for Desdemona and Othello’s deep trust towards Iago to manipulate them to further his schemes of getting the lieutenancy back from Cassio. Rodrigo can be described as Iago’s lackey; he works and follows orders from him like a steward for a knight.

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Often times people act out of character in order to gain the acceptance from those they admire or love, especially in cases where manipulation is involved. In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, this idea is exemplified throughout the relationship between Emilia and her husband, Iago. Emilia’s decisions come from the abuse and control of her husband, who has manipulated her for so long she had become blind to the consequences of her actions. This is shown through her relationship with Desdemona and her realization of Iago’s true character at the end of the play. It is clear throughout the play that Emilia is lacking confidence in herself and therefore needs constant validation from her abusive husband Iago.

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774 Words | 4 Pages

At first, Iago tells Othello that his wife is having an affair. Even though he has no evidence to support these claims, Othello still believes Iago because he is kind of insecure about himself since he was already accused of using witchcraft on her because he is a black man and there is no way Desdemona fell in love with him by her own free will. (2.2.) Iago starts by convincing him with lies that will lead to Othello’s downfall. After an incident happened, Othello removes Micheal Cassio from his position as lieutenant because he was drunk, Desdemona then begins asking Othello to give him his job back and that increases his suspicions that she is in fact having an affair

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“Othello” written by William Shakespeare revolves around this protagonist who is depicted as strong and powerful. To everyone he is known as Othello or the Moor. Throughout the play, Shakespeare portrays numerous counts of jealousy and manipulation around many of the characters. It is mainly illustrated through Iago, the antagonist of the play, who manipulates other to their downfall. Iago who is known for always being true and honest towards others has easily earned the trust of everyone around him, thus giving himself an advantage on his schemes.

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Michael Cassio, Othello's lieutenant and close friend to Desdemona, discretely attaches himself to the general's wife after being dismissed by Othello. The duo, who Iago notes are already very friendly with each other, attempt to reinstate Cassio as lieutenant in a rather secretive manner. Cassio suggests he is either too afraid or too embarrassed to face the General, stating "I am very ill at ease / Unfit for mine own purposes" when asked if he would like to speak openly with Othello (3.1.31). Desdemona, instead of presenting her friend's case in a manner which would dispel all suggestion of wrongdoing, barrages her husband with pleas for Cassio's position, telling Emilia "My lord shall never rest / I’ll watch him tame and talk him out of patience /

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In the play Othello, William Shakespeare creates an elaborate tragedy with various in depth characters, enhancing the story with powerful characterization. Iago, the main antagonist of Othello, exemplifies Shakespeare’s use of characterization to create in depth and complex characters. Using his manipulative nature, intellectual mind, egotistical attitude, and dishonesty, Iago controls the other characters in order to achieve his goal, leading Othello to succumb to an overwhelming jealousy causing his downfall. In order for Iago to gain control of the characters in the play, he manipulates Othello, Roderigo, Cassio, and more to believe false information and turn on one another.

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But, Othello did not seem to think so. This caused Iago to feel like he wasn 't appreciated and he vowed to get revenge on Othello. He got his revenge by working Othello 's mind to believe that Desdemona was cheating on him with Cassio. After Iago got Cassio drunk one night, Cassio lost his place as lieutenant. Iago suggested that he go plead to Desdemona to show her he is a good man, and then she would convince Othello.

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After Iago orchestrates his plans onto Othello, Othello truly believes that his wife and best friend, Desdemona and Cassio, are having an affair. Infuriated by this new learned knowledge, Othello commands Iago to make sure “that Cassio’s not alive,” while he personally kills his wife (3.4.537). Othello is willing to kill two of the most important people in his life, worst of all, he was easily manipulated by Iago to believe his lie. Distressed by the truth, Othello looks for redemption. Othello dismisses reason once again so he could get vengeance for what he has done.

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Iago was well aware of others “The Moor is of a free and open nature that thinks men honest that but seem to be so, and will as tenderly be led by th' nose as asses are”(Act 1 Scene 3 390). Understanding the personalities of other characters allow Iago to manipulate vulnerable parts in their characteristics. Knowing that Othello believes and respects his fake persona, he uses this reputation to question Cassio and Desdemona. Cassio who knew about his own drinking problem was persuaded to drink, and become belligerent. Othello who was strong willed, and had complete faith in his wife, was quickly poisoned by Iago’s words.

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844 Words | 4 Pages

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.

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Manipulation is shown in many ways such as politics, the media, misleading information and false advertising. To convey one’s thoughts to your own advantage is seen as crude and unnecessary. However, many people have their reasons in manipulating someone whether they are good or bad. In Shakespeare’s Othello, the concept of taking advantage of someone through manipulation leads to unnecessary, horrible events.

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In Othello, Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to demonstrate that resorting to manipulation for personal gain often results in disaster for all parties. Iago's manipulation of Othello destroys his relationship with Desdemona. Othello tells Iago, "Damn her, lewd minx! O, damn her!/ Come, go with me apart; I will withdraw,/ To furnish me with some swift means of death/ For the fair devil.

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In William Shakespeare’s Othello the two main characters are Iago and Othello. The entire story centers around Iago 's plan to achieve revenge on Othello for not promoting him to lieutenant. Throughout the story Iago tries to convince Othello that his wife Desdemona has cheated on him with his lieutenant Cassio. Iago’s plan is successfully and easily executed. Othello is tricked into believing that desdemona has been unfaithful and in the end he kills her.

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