Iago Manipulate Characters In Othello

Shakespeare ensures that every main character in Othello has a weakness: this makes it easier for the villain to manipulate and use them to his advantage. Weakness is a term that usually refers to a character’s flaw or vulnerability. These flaws are what makes the job effortless for the manipulator, as they have the upperhand in every scenario without the victim even realizing it. Love, trust and tolerance make characters more susceptible to being manipulated. In Shakespeare's Othello, Iago manipulates Roderigo, Cassio, and Othello by exploiting their weaknesses. Iago manipulates characters by ensuring that he uses the characters when they’re in a most vulnerable state. This includes Cassio’s state when he’s drunk as he has low tolerance

For Roderigo, it’s what makes him the most powerless. It’s easy to manipulate him by just mentioning Desdemona followed by a ridiculous statement, since all of his attention is on love. In this case, Iago uses the love Roderigo has for Desdemona to his advantage by tricking Roderigo into helping him get Cassio fired. Iago convinces Roderigo that Cassio and Desdemona are doing the deed. He then persuades Roderigo to fight Cassio as that will get Cassio fired from his job, which will make it easy for Desdemona to choose Roderigo over Cassio. Iago explains what a fool Roderigo is due to his love for Desdemona, “As my young mistress' dog. Now my sick fool Roderigo, Whom love hath turned almost the wrong side out, To Desdemona hath tonight caroused.” (2.3.22-26) Iago also uses Roderigo’s love for Desdemona to get him to help get revenge on Othello for choosing Cassio over Iago. Iago convinces Roderigo that Desdemona only loves Othello’s stories which is why she married him. Iago ensures that Desdemona will tire of Othello and will be in Roderigo’s arms soon enough. Roderigo believes Iago as he thinks he’s his friend and he is so lustful and in love with Desdemona. “It cannot be long that Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor—put money in thy purse—nor he his to her.” (1.3.337-339 ) Iago directs Roderigo to save money as it won’t be long until Desdemona stops loving Othello and moves on to another man,

His character flaw is that he doesn’t have the ability to see below someone’s mask to see their actual flaw. Iago, being the observant manipulator he is, knows this and is easily able to use this to his advantage. Iago convinces Othello of many things throughout this whole play and Othello believes everything he hears because he thinks that Iago is an honest and trustworthy friend. “A man he is of honest and trust” (1.3.284) He says this line multiple times in the play reminding us of how easy a person he is to manipulate as he goes with whatever’s said without question. When Iago lies to Othello telling him that Cassio got drunk and attacked Roderigo, Othello believes him and immediately fires Cassio, one of his closest lieutenants. “Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter,” (2.3.232) Iago says this to Iago after iago tells him what happened between Cassio and Roderigo. Without hearing anyone else’s opinion. Othello is easily deceived by a man whom he thinks he knows as a close companion and who he thinks he