The Benefit of Manipulation
Throughout the play, Iago is portrayed as a very jealous and angry person. He is desperately seeking revenge on a situation he has no control over. His vengeful mentality is rooted in his jealously of Cassio, for being promoted to lieutenant and anger with Othello for promoting Cassio when Iago felt he was more qualified for the position. Instead of talking to Othello about the decision for the position of lieutenant, Iago decides to set up Cassio so that Othello thinks his wife, Desdemona, is having an affair with him. During Act IV, Iago is presented with the perfect opportunity to stage Cassio’s admittance about the affair Othello thinks he and Desdemona are having. Through some carefully thought-out words and actions, Iago is able to manipulate others to do things in ways that benefit him. Iago’s first move towards manipulating Othello is by upsetting him. Iago does this by speaking of kissing in private, an act he deems Cassio and Desdemona have done. Iago continues through the conversation with Othello infuriating him into thinking that Cassio and Desdemona have spent time together in the same bed Othello and Desdemona share. Because Othello is upset by these remarks, he
Buys herself bread and cloth. It is a creature To beguile many and be beguiled by one. He, when he hears of her, cannot restrain As he shall smile, Othello shall go mad; >From the excess of laughter. Here he comes. A huswife that by selling her desires Iago manipulates what Othello can see and hear by placing him away from Iago and Cassio. But Othello is only “seeing” and “hearing” from Iago’s perspective; he substitutes evidence of things seen for a belief of things unseen. In Othello, neither eyes nor ears are reliable. This happens when Othello overhears Iago and Cassio talk, apparently about Desdemona but actually about Bianca. Once Othello withdraws, Iago speaks of what he intends to do: Once Cassio and Bianca leave, Othello comes out from hiding and Iago has the chance to begin manipulating Othello once again. Iago’s word choice from this point in the scene to the end is vague and questionable. Iago rarely expands on Othello’s comments; his responses are short and to the point. When Othello speaks of Desdemona and how she should “…rot, and perish, and be damned tonight” (IV, i, 183), Iago’s only response is, “Nay, that’s not your way” (IV, i, 188). When Othello speaks again of Desdemona saying, “Hang her! I do but say what she is. So delicate with her needle. An admirable musician. O, she will sing the savageness out of a bear! Of so high and plenteous wit and invention-” (IV, I, 189-192) Iago senses that Othello is still very much in love with Desdemona despite her supposed affair with Cassio. Iago’s response to try to shut down Othello is, “She’s the worse for all ! That dotes on Cassio, as ‘tis the strumpet’s plague ago has clear and focused mo
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Approximate Word count = 1229
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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