How Does Iago Manipulate The Other Character

In Shakespeare’s play, Othello, the Moor of Venice, Iago is an interesting character. Throughout the play we see Iago manipulate the other characters and use the different circumstances to his advantage. Iago is a cunning, manipulative, and divisive character that will stop at nothing to get back at Othello for passing him up for promotion. The first time we see Iago alone is at the very end of Act 1 Scene 3 when after speaking with Cassio, he tells of his plans to use Cassio to get between Desdemona and Othello as well as take his position as lieutenant. He tells how he wants to use Cassio’s good looks to drive a wedge between the two lovers and how his own words will penetrate Othello much like a disease which will poison him (Beier, 2014). Iago mentions rumors that are going around about Othello romancing Iago’s wife and that the rumors alone are enough for him to seek out revenge, even though he knows he has no actual evidence proving them. Iago says, “The Moor is of a free and open nature, that thinks men honest that but seem to be so” (Shakespeare, 2014, 1.3.400-401). Iago is pointing out that he feels Othello is easily manipulated because he is too trusting in his nature and Iago plans to

In Act 3 Scene 3, Iago is told that Desdemona dropped a handkerchief that Othello gave her as a sign of love. Iago knows just how to use this to his advantage saying, “I will in Cassio’s lodging lose this napkin” (Shakespeare, 2014, 3.3.337). As soon as he heard the story of the handkerchief, Iago knew how to use it to further his agenda. Dropping it in Cassio’s house so that he would be caught with it in his possession by Othello. He also knows that Othello already has ideas in his head that Cassio has been seeing Desdemona behind his back and catching Cassio with the handkerchief will appear as proof that his newly planted suspicions are