Iago’s Mastery of Manipulation in Shakespeare’s Othello
Most people will experience manipulation at some point in their life; it may not be noticeable at the instant as it is hidden very well. An individual who encounters manipulation will be forced to question their beliefs and feelings about things. These indirect tactics are harmful to the victims. Manipulators, however, often use others for their own benefit in order to seek revenge. In Othello, by William Shakespeare, Iago’s character is used as a master of manipulation by deceiving those who seek him. Iago deceives his victims and creates their downfall through his cleverness, illusions and dramatic acting. Iago manipulates others by being clever. He is cunning and uses it as an advantage when people reveal their flaws to use
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Roderigo, his first victim, is a jealous suitor of Desdemona; he is madly in love with her. lago convinces Roderigo that he will help him win Desdemona’s hand by influencing him to “put the money in thy purse” (Shakespeare 1.3.139). Roderigo has a gullible and naive personality, making him easy prey for Iago. The passage above reveals how Roderigo is willing to commit horrible acts because he desires to be with Desdemona. Roderigo misses the signs of manipulation by willing to believe anything Iago tells him, making him blind to the truth. On the other hand, this works perfectly for Iago as he is using Roderigo for his own benefit to ruin Othello’s life. Additionally, Iago also demonstrates his cleverness by refusing to tell his thoughts to the Moor. Othello, his best friend, is also Iago’s main target throughout the play. For example, after Iago makes hesitations about sharing his thoughts aloud, Othello says; “Think, my lord? Alas, thou e cho’st me As if there were some monster in thy thought Too hideous to be shown. Thou doest mean something.”