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Iago Deception In Othello

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Like a puppet master, Iago uses deception in the play Othello, by William Shakespeare, as a duplicitous being with perfidious views on the demise of others for personal revenge against Othello. Consequently, he is able to manipulate the characters in an adroit manner with ease as if fraudulency becomes second nature. Yet, Iago has not become this iconic villain without just (used loosely) cause. Before Iago’s notorious connotation, this dauntless soldier-people considering the precedent for just acts, and pious intentions- is discounted for a promotion by word of Othello, leading the inexorable “green-eyed monster” to peek its grotesque head out from underneath its lair. Agitated and undoubtedly cunning, Iago seeks his revenge against Othello with a ferocity unmatched, using every arsenal disposable to him; deception being his greatest. One of the starter scenes with the most value is the point at which Iago deceives Cassio by pretending to be his friend, laying the groundwork of his masterful plan by inserting wisplike suggestions into Cassio’s mind to drink. Now, Cassio is a malleable, naive man, so it is relatively easy for Iago to …show more content…

Iago fains an innocent person but deceives Othello in many parts. Perhaps some of the most notable when Iago accidentally blurts out ‘incriminating information to Othello, which entail Desdemona's previous spouts with her father. “But I am much to blame. I humbly do beseech you of your pardon For too much loving you.”(147). Also occurring when Iago beguilingly warns Othello of jealousys’ renowned bite. “Oh, beware, my lord, of jealousy! It is a green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on”(143). This is the scene where the iconic “green-eyed monster” phrase is coined, and where the major driving force of Othello is present so blatantly. Beware of jealousy; or Iago’s manipulation of

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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.

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Another piece of evidence from Othello states,” You are happy now, but I'll ruin your happiness, no matter how honest you may think I am” (II.i.220). This evidence is relevant considering that this hints at what Iago is capable of doing. For example, when he says” no matter how honest you may think I am”. This leads readers to the plot when Othello does believe Iago is honest because of what he told him about Desdemona. Furthermore, this portrays Iago’s character trait as; since he is doing all this because Cassio got lieutenant while he did not; this would lead him to inflict harm upon Othello.

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Throughout history many of the great generals often had a right hand man or lieutenant to help make important decisions. When Iago was passed over for this great position he was willing to go to any length to achieve the position he felt he deserved. In the play, Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago became the antagonist in one of Shakespeare's most well-known plays. Iago used manipulation, deception, and creative thinking to hatch a plan that would cause the death of nearly every main role in the play.

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To Othello, Iago is more reputable now causing Iago is, at this point, reputable, meaning Othello will to believe anything that Iago says even if it is a lie. Iago’s psychopathic manipulations of Cassio then ultimately cause his downfall once Othello discovers that Iago has been dishonest, his punishment of torture and imprisonment at the end of the play is his downfall. Iago’s Throughout the play, since Iago is trustworthy to Othello, Iago plants seeds of jealousy in Othello’s mind. In Act Five, scene two, Othello shows the audience how he believes that Iago is “most honest” (Shakespeare 1302).

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Iago uses very clever methods of persuasion and manipulation aimed to use Othello’s hamartia against him, pointing out that “ “She (Desdemona) did deceive her father, marrying you,” so much so that Brabantio “thought ’twas witchcraft”. Through this, Iago is subtly raising the issues of Othello’s cultural differences with Desdemona; a root cause behind Othello’s insecurities with his wife – along with inadequacy due to race, degree of sophistication and age. As Iago prompts Othello to think the worst, his utterances are short and uneasy, revealing the beginning to his downfall, whilst Iago’s dialogue is at length highlighting his growing power of

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Iago’s intentions unveil themselves not only through actions, but through his engagement with the audience. “Iago’s self-understanding is well-express when he explains to viewers his plan to put a plague in Othello’s ear that will cause him to misinterpret Desdemona’s advocacy to Cassio.” (The Art) In order to commence suspicion within Othello, Iago utilizes the elopement of Othello and Desdemona. “Look to her, Moor, if thou hast eyes to see.

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Iago also betrays his wife during the play. Iago used his wife as a tool in order to make it seem like Desdemona and Cassio had an affair. Emilia later in the play no longer wanted to be his accomplice so she accuses Iago of criminal behavior in order to save Desdemona’s reputation. Of course, having Emilia around is no good for Iago so he decides to betray his wife and literally stab

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In the book Othello, Iago is a very manipulating man, throughout the book he manages to manipulate three main people, Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello. He uses all their weaknesses to bring them down. Iago wants revenge on Othello, because Othello overlooks Iago and his abilities, so Iago manipulates these three characters to get back at Othello in the long run. He comes up with a very good plan to get each other to turn against one another. So in the end he ends up getting what he wanted, revenge.

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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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Iago is a unique and complicated character. He is intelligent in that he is able to manipulate people and events in his favour, which he thrives on throughout the play, classifying him as the antagonist of the play. Driven by jealousy and hatred, Iago plots against Othello to destroy his character and reputation. Knowing that if he foolishly attacked such a respected man directly, he would be sentenced to death. As a result, he devises to use other people to obtain what he desires by influencing the characters in the play to suit his plan.

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In many stories, there are villains who seem to control how the characters act by manipulation. These kinds of villains use multiple techniques to get what they want and to execute their plans. The techniques are used to affect the characters in a negative way in favor of the villain. In Othello, the antagonist Iago, plays that role. Iago affects the characters’ lives in a negative way by his honest reputation, his ability to “read” people, and how he “proves” to be Loyal.

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Kolin observes that Iago stands out among Shakespearean villains since he is the only one to survive his own monstrous acts (25). Unlike Richard III, apart from telling stories, Iago carries out a downright fraud through other means of manipulation, which makes him the most evil and intelligent character. To be exact, Iago is a puppeteer who sets up scenes to deceive the “credulous fools”—Othello, Cassio and Desdemona (4.1.45). Iago talks to Cassio about Bianca while telling Othello that the subject of their conversation is the Moor’s wife. He is so smart and careful that he even gestures Othello to come closer when Cassio is about to illustrate how Bianca entangles him.

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In the play Othello, written by William Shakespeare, Iago appears to be a clever and manipulative character from the beginning. He attempts, and succeeds, to sabotage the Othello’s, relationship with his wife Desdemona. Throughout the play, he conceals his true character and as a result, other characters see him as honest, reliable, and trustworthy. He gains Othello’s lieutenant Cassio’s trust, then backstabs him. He also uses Roderigo, a Venetian, as a piece in his puzzle to ultimately take down Othello.

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Iago’s powerfully disruptive insinuations torment Othello to fall precipitously into his intricate trap, believing in the prospect of Cassio and Desdemona’s fictitious affair. Through the use of linguistic techniques such as elliptical speech, subservient vocative choices and a hesitant tone, Iago is able to construct artful innuendoes to deceive and manipulate Othello. Supplementary to linguistic techniques, dramatic techniques such as dramatic irony reinforces Iago’s role as a two-faced villain, who is making a pretence of being Othello’s loyal ensign. Eventually, Iago’s villainy nature sows a seed of doubt in Othello that germinates into the murder of Desdemona. Through the characterisation of Iago as a notorious villain, Shakespeare is able to hold Iago’s actions accountable for the play’s tragic downfall, establishing a sense of powerlessness amongst the

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Iago is by far the sneakiest character in Othello. By using an (act innocent and blind) approach to seek revenge on his commanding officer and colleague who took his place. Iago’s deception can be spotted as early as act two. “I do love Cassio well and would do much to cure him from this evil” (Shakespeare 2.3.150-151). This is where Iago tells Montano how much he loves Cassio and wants to help him, but as the reader you know that he hates Othello and Cassio bit tricks Montano and others to get his revenge.

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