Manipulation In Othello

As William Shakespeare suggests in the play, “Othello”, character’s actions are inclined to act by their desires; they use these desires to stir their emotions. When an individual is fixated on a goal, it creates a tendency to blind the individual and take a course of action that is unusual to their daily life. When an individual feels slighted by those closest to them they may resort to manipulation and deception in order to elevate themselves as they undermine others.

In the play, Iago is a character who is motivated by his feeling of being insulted therefore explains his actions towards those closest to him and thus, leads to his manipulation of others, he felt as if his abilities had been ignored. In the beginning of the play, Iago repeatedly

Iago strongly believes that he well deserves the position as a lieutenant. Iago, “whom eyes had seen the proof at Rhodes, at Cyprus, and on other grounds”, believes that he is truly entitled to a higher position, rather than Cassio whom had “never set a squadron in the field”. Iago felt slighted therefore motivates him to humiliate Cassio in front of their colleagues especially in front of Othello to send a clear message that Cassio is “incompetent” and “disloyal” which causes Cassio to be demoted. Iago tricks Cassio to indulge into drinking that night, which ended in an unexpected brawl. An action that is unusual of Cassio, he knows his limit when it comes to drinking but Iago manipulated him to exceed that limit. Iago has caused individuals to take a course of action that will undermine themselves and eventually view themselves as inadequate. Cassio’s views towards himself started to become impaired, claiming that he has “lost the immortal part of [him]self, and what remains is bestial.” All of these were because of Iago’s plans, however he has a continuous plan with his manipulation. Iago showed sympathy towards Cassio by instructing him to seek help to Desdemona rather than to Othello, in which whom Cassio needed to please the most. This suggestion itself will undermine Cassio because of Othello’s growing jealousy towards him, in which Iago has planted. A suggestion that Cassio may

After learning about Cassio’s position as a lieutenant, his hatred towards Othello began, as well as the start of his manipulation. He is deeply troubled by how much Othello treasured him, and in his point of view he saw it as neglect. He felt neglected because of the position that he thinks he deserves was not given to him, which unfortunately led to many deaths in the play. But because Iago worked his manipulation slowly, no one was able to notice that the individuals are being fooled by their “honest Iago”. He planted seeds of doubt to Othello and then letting him grow the doubt into false certainty. When Cassio and Desdemona were simply talking, a suggestion that Iago tells Cassio to do; Iago planned to “coincidentally” lead Othello to the scene. Plain actions like that will not raise any question from anyone because most will see it as merely fate. As Cassio sees Othello, he chose to flee the site, in which Iago seized the opportunity to plant once again another seed of doubt, “I cannot believe that he would steal away so guiltily, seeing you coming”. This clearly demonstrates Iago’s careful manipulation of events for individuals, for he solely believes that deception is the only way to claim his wants. Iago can definitely claim the title as a master in manipulation, he is clever and artistic which ultimately creates the