In Shakespeare's "Othello," Iago carefully and masterfully entraps Othello into believing that his wife, Desdemona, is having an affair with Cassio. He does this through a series of suggestions and hesitations that entice and implant images into Othello's head that lead him to his own end. More importantly, Iago gives Othello the motive to murder his own innocent wife Desdemona, satisfying Iago's huge appetite for revenge.

The motive for Iago's devious plan is initially made clear in the first of three major soliloquies, in which he proclaims Othello has had an affair with his wife, Emilia: "And it is thought abroad that t'wixt my sheets/ He's done my office" (I.iii.). The irony behind this line is where he continues: "I know not if't be true/ But I, for mere suspicion in that kind; / Will do as if for surety"(I.iii.). Iago is so paranoid and insane that he will go far as murdering, and even fool a general into murdering his wife.

At the same time Iago conducts a plan to take over Cassio's position as lieutenant, using Desdemona's weakness; her naivety. He disgraces Cassio by intoxicating him enough so he strikes Roderigo. Othello then discharges Cassio of his Lieutenancy when

The first instance of this plan comes to life in the scene where Iago gets Cassio drunk, but his plan begins after Othello banishes Cassio. With Cassio's reputation ruined, Iago fools Cassio by taking advantage of the fact that he is in a state in which he would do anything to get his job, position, and reputation back. Iago tells him to find Desdemona to get It back: "Our General's wife is/ now the General...She is so free, so kind, so apt, so blessed a disposition, she holds it a vice in her/ goodness not to do more than she is requested..." (II.iii.). Iago knows Desdemona is very naive.

Even as her appetite shall play the god

While Cassio is talking to Desdemona about asking Othello to take him back, Iago is implanting sexual images of Cassio and Desdemona in Othello's mind. The more Desdemona pleads to Othello about this matter, the more Othello believes that Cassio is sleeping with his wife. Also, the more he refuses Desdemona's wishes, the more she pleads, thereby creating even more of a conflict between the three characters. For his plan to work successfully Iago first had to carefully gain trust from all of the characters. Since he was a master of deception, this was not very difficult. His declarations of love h

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Approximate Word count = 837
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)