Theme Of Manipulation In Othello

Manipulation is shown in many ways such as politics, the media, misleading information and false advertising. To convey one’s thoughts to your own advantage is seen as crude and unnecessary. However, many people have their reasons in manipulating someone whether they are good or bad. In Shakespeare’s Othello, the concept of taking advantage of someone through manipulation leads to unnecessary, horrible events. Using the character of Roderigo, Iago manipulates him into doing everything he wants. At the beginning of the tragedy, Iago and Roderigo are talking poorly about Othello. Roderigo, who is in love with Desdemona, is upset due to hearing that Othello and Desdemona have recently married. Iago, who just found out Othello did not give him

As the tragedy begins, Othello and Desdemona had run off and gotten married without telling Desdemona’s father. When Iago finds out he did not get the job he wanted, he tells Roderigo to “Proclaim him in the streets; incense her kinsmen”(I. I. 76-80). Brabantio, who did not know about his own daughter’s marriage, is finding out from two strangers. This allows Iago to take advantage of Barbantio’s surprise and to come in between the newly weds with his disapproval. Iago is trying to ruin Othello 's marriage by sending Barbantio to Othello and expressing his dislike for his secret marriage, “Damned as thou art, thou hast enchanted her” (I. II. 82). Brabantio is in such shock that he believes Othello used magic to get Desdemona to marry him. Iago’s manipulation of Barbantio has ruined the relationship between a father and a daughter and any relationship that could happen between Othello and Barbantio. He achieves his goal of creating a problem between this family and making Othello emotionally

When he does not get the position he wants and also heard that Othello has been sleeping with his wife Emilia, Iago’s manipulation increases. Iago plans his scheme based on, “[Othello] has done my office, I know not if’t be true/ But I, for mere suspicion in that kind/ Will do as if for surety” (I. III. 431-433). This use of manipulation is all based on an assumption that Othello has slept with Iago’s wife, and this assumption leads to even more horrible events. Iago also manipulates Othello with jealousy. When Othello is gone at war, Iago tells him that Cassio and Desdemona were getting too close. At first Othello does not believe him, but by Iago saying “nothing,my lord; or if- I know not what” Othello starts to question if it is true (III. III. 39). Iago constantly uses his “innocence” to make Othello jealous and start to assume that it is true. These actions eventually lead to a tragic event. Iago’s manipulation has driven Othello insane, leading to Iago’s plans on his last night. Othello tells Iago to go get some poison to kill Desdemona, but Iago refuses and just tells him to strangle her in her bed (IV. I. 223-229). Iago’s manipulation has not only lead Othello to believe the rumor is true, but has lead him to kill his own wife as well. Iago even manipulates Othello to strangle her, which is a much personal and vengeful death than poison. All of this manipulation results in Desdemona’s death,