The play introduces us to two characters Roderigo and Iago, which sets up the first external conflict of which Roderigo owes Iago money , “That thou, Iago, who hast had my purse as if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this.” (Shakespeare, Act I) . Roderigo was referring to his payments to Iago in return Iago would get him his dream girl, Desdemona, which brings up another external conflict because Desdemona is married to the illustrious general Othello. Iago has some animosity towards Othello because Cassio got the job of lieutenant instead of himself. Iago instigates a fight between a drunken Cassio and Roderigo which results in Cassio being fired by Othello.
Othello, one of the main characters in the play is a very trusting person causing him to be easily manipulated by others. Iago, a flag bearer and a friend to Othello uses his trustworthy persona against him to get revenge on him for not giving him the job as lieutenant. One of his manipulation tactics is to tell Othello that his wife is having an affair with a man named Cassio. In the play, Iago begins to talk to Othello about his proof that his wife is actually cheating on him by telling him, that Desdemona gave a handkerchief to Cassio, in which Othello gave to her that was passed on by his parents. Othello was not happy about that which ultimately lead Othello to be disrespectful towards Desdemona by hitting her, constantly calling her a whore and later killing her for thinking that she was cheating on him with Cassio (Shakespeare 1603).
Othello is preoccupied with his race but still manages to take advantage of Iago’s class. Iago preoccupied with his class, still manages to take advantage of Othello’s race. Despite doing no harm to Othello and Iago directly, Cassio destroys both of the men’s marriages and in turn
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.
In conclusion, there might be many reasons why Othello behave in the story like an honorable men to a despicable human being, but we can take into account that the grudge Iago had against Othello, the loss of one of his trusted man Cassion and finally the fact that he “prove” that Desdemona was a whore it what makes Othello’s character is so malleable and easy to influence by a negative force that is what brought end to
Othello’s Demise Othello, the lead character in William Shakespeare’s play Othello, is done in by the same character attributes, which propelled him to become a great military leader. He has accomplished great victories in battle to the likes, of no others. He is held in high regard throughout the nations as one of the greatest military leaders and is called upon to fight in the most challenging battles successfully. There is no deterrence, by Othello even though his is not of the same race or from the same country, whom he defends.
Secondly, Iago manipulates Cassio the most throughout the book. He uses Cassio’s social status and his trust with Othello to ruin his reputation. Iago is jealous of Cassio because he is higher status and has a strong relationship with Othello. For Iago’s plan to work he needs to get closer to Othello, but first he needs to break Othello and Cassio’s trust first. So one night Cassio is supposed to be keeping a party under control Othello tells him “good Michael, look you to the guard tonight.
Othello starts to believe Iago’s lies about his friends and wife, leading Othello to change his behavior towards his closest allies. Iago instigates a fight between Cassio and Montano, and Othello must take charge of his soldiers, he says: Thy honesty and love doth mince this matter, Making it light to Cassio. Cassio, I love thee But never more be officer of mine. (2.3.210-213) Othello makes the decision to fire Cassio, and things get worse when Iago makes his wife, Emilia, steal Desdemona 's handkerchief.
The job is complete in terms of getting Cassio relieved, but he continues to strategize. “For whiles this honest fool/ Plies Desdemona to repair his fortune, / And she for him pleads strongly to the Moor, / I’ll pour this pestilence in his ear” (2.3.341-4). Iago has set the trap for Cassio to ask Desdemona to possibly try to change Othello’s mind which will lead to Othello believing that they are having an affair. From this point on, the ultimate plan has begun and the pace speeds up.
He expresses his jealousy for Cassio when he says that Othello “already chose [his] officer” who he calls “One Michael Cassio, a Florentine” who “never set a squadron in the field.” Iago believes he should have gotten the promotion because he had more military experience and training. After he gets Cassio drunk and dismissed from service, he devises a plan to manipulate Othello into believing he is cheating with Desdemona in order that Cassio never gets his position again or even killed. Iago also hears a rumor that Othello slept with his
As a scheming villain, Iago begins to ensnare Othello into his trap of vengeance by echoing in Othello’s mind prospect of an affair between Cassio and Desdemona. Iago begins his insinuations by reminding Othello that Cassio served as their go-between during their courtship through a rhetorical
But never more be officer of mine. — (II.iii.210-214) refers to Act 2 Scene 3. This demonstrates Othello’s trust in Iago because he was the one to talk most and also provide more on what happened to the situation since he is the one that planned the whole thing. Throughout the rest of the story after Othello demoting Cassio as officer, Iago’s whole plan is to cause problems between
But, Othello did not seem to think so. This caused Iago to feel like he wasn 't appreciated and he vowed to get revenge on Othello. He got his revenge by working Othello 's mind to believe that Desdemona was cheating on him with Cassio. After Iago got Cassio drunk one night, Cassio lost his place as lieutenant. Iago suggested that he go plead to Desdemona to show her he is a good man, and then she would convince Othello.
But, as we mentioned after analyzing the text, Cassio doesn’t care about society’s opinion, the only person, who is important for him is Othello. This means that he doesn’t really care about reputation related to his soul, he only cares about his material position in the society. He is afraid that he lost his reputation in Othello’s eyes and his social position is taken away from him. He is hoping to recover in his eyes in order to receive his material and social privileges
Othello’s life transforms the second he steps into Cyprus. Iago’s motives are devastating as he plan’s to take Othello’s position, regardless of the cost. Iago plants the seed of deceit and unfaithfulness when he hints of an affair involving Othello’s love, Desdemona and Cassio. An overwhelming feeling of jealously takes a hold in Othello’s life. Othello is no longer the well spoken, and respected army general that everyone knew him to be, but instead a short tempered man with little respect for
