Iago's Jealousy

Iago’s next achievement in Shakespeare’s play Othello is to convince Othello that his wife is cheating on him. He wants to destroy their marriage because he believes Othello has slept with his wife, Emilia which is another motive as to why he hates Othello. Starting in Act One, Scene Three Iago wants to start “poisoning” Othello’s mind with thoughts of his wife having an affair with Cassio. He states in lines 385-387, “Let’s see. After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear that he is too familiar with his wife”. Iago is going to put the impression that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair. Iago wants to put these thoughts into Othello’s head; therefore Othello can experience the same betrayal and heartbreak that he is experiencing. He believes Othello will trust his word because Cassio is good looking and a smooth talker. In Act Three, Scene Three Iago starts hinting to Othello that his lieutenant, Michael Cassio could be having an affair with Othello’s wife Desdemona. Iago tells Othello, “Look to

Iago's manipulative nature has a profound effect on the decisions made by other characters in Shakespeare's ‘Othello’. Through his relations with those around him Shakespear characterizes him as a man full of malice, vengeance and dishonesty that is wholly inspired by jealousy. Furthermore it would appear that Iago has an exceptional ability to scheme, a talent which he uses to snake his way into the lives of others and exploit them through their weaknesses. Whether he does this for profit or for pleasure is a separate issue.

Iago is the antagonist of the play, and one of the most evil Shakespearean villains. Iago is extremely clever in the way he uses unsuspecting power- especially psychological power. He gets into people’s heads in many dishonest ways- by spreading false rumours, telling lies and psychologically tricking people and secretly controlling certain situations. His power to manipulate is a key point in the play, as it results in major consequences and the deaths of some main characters. Iago’s schemes are multi-levelled- he conspires with roderigo, and makes him believe that Desdemona will take him back. On another level, he leads Othello to believe his wife is having an affair with Cassio. He uses his wife Emilia (unknown to her), to bring back the handkerchief he uses to deceive Othello. Iago is an extremely resourceful and talented man, but he uses these resources and talents in detrimental ways. Iago is constantly referred to by numerous characters as ‘honest’. He himself also refers to honesty. Numerous characters believe that they know and trust Iago and that he would not lie, nor deceive them. Iago’s soliloquies also provide invaluable insight into his wicked mind and evil schemes and plans.

“The Duke does greet you, general, And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance, Even on the instant.” (1.2.37). Michael Cassio first enters Othello when delivering a message to the general, Othello. He is a young, highly educated lieutenant. Though he is inexperienced in battle, he is truly devoted to his governor. Unfortunately, his gullible and blind ways unintentionally lead to Othello’s death. Since he arrives to Cyprus before Othello and his wife Desdemona, he is there to greet Desdemona who arrives a bit before Othello. She has a conversation with Iago, Othello’s ensign. It consists of him speaking poorly of women and Cassio speaking up by saying Iago is more of a soldier than a scholar. Othello’s ship makes land and they celebrate that night. Iago knows that if Cassio has too much to drink, he will be intolerable. This is true, and Cassio picks a fight with Roderigo and Montano, a former governor of Cyprus. This leads to Othello’s firing of Cassio, “. . . Cassio I love thee but never more be officer of mine” (2.3.211-212).

In the Act Two of Othello, a storm has hit causing the Turks to lose most of their fleet. It is still uncertain if Othello’s ship was able to survive the storm, so Cassio takes Desdemona away to speak with her in privacy about Othello arrival. Iago notices that Cassio holds Desdemona’s hand when talking to her. Iago gets the idea to use Cassio’s hand holding as a way to frame him so he will lose his promotion to lieutenant. Othello finally arrives, all but Roderigo and Iago head to the castle to celebrate the drowning of the Turks. Iago tells Roderigo that Desdemona will soon be tired of Othello and will long for a more well-mannered and handsome man. Iago tells Roderigo that the obvious first choice for Desdemona will be Cassio. Roderigo tries

At the beginning of the play, Iago plans to convince Othello that Desdemona is sleeping with Cassio, however; his plan involves a number of smaller, more sophisticated plans. To set his plot in motion, Iago orchestrates his first elaborate development. He tricks Cassio into getting drunk, and instructs Roderigo, a man who is in love with Desdemona, to start a fight. Othello finds out and is not happy. Playing the devil’s advocate, Iago then instructs Cassio to converse with Desdemona in order to obtain his position back. Upon seeing Cassio leave, Iago then plants a seed of doubt within Othello regarding Cassio.

When Michael Cassio explains, “I have very poor and unhappy brains/ For drinking” (Shakespeare.2.3.28). Iago was able to get it out of him that he’s a lightweight and uses that against him. Iago gets Cassio really drunk and gets his drunk friend Roderigo to pick a fight with him. This fight makes Cassio look bad and unprofessional and once Othello notices, he fires him from the role of one of his officers. Little did Roderigo know, soon enough he would be attempting to kill Cassio. As he draws his weapon, he says “I know his gait, ’tis he.—Villain, thou diest! (Shakespeare

Iago’s goal was to bring down Othello and Othello’s weakness is his wife Desdemona. Othello and Desdemona have “a real ’marriage of true minds’, a true love based on a mutual awareness and a true appreciation of each other’s worth, a love that has in it none of the element of sensual lust. The love of Othello and Desdemona transcends the physical barriers of color, nationality and age.” (Theme of Jealousy in Othello) Iago has Othello believe Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Iago even gives warning to Othello in scene 3, act 3, he tells Othello, “O, beware, my lord of jealousy! It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on." Although Iago has never provided any real proof, it is Othello’s own thoughts and imagination that give it a life. Iago is constantly feeding Othello lies of Desdemona and he grows angrier everyday to the point he kills her and then

People often pretend to be things they are not, just to get what they want out of people. They go to great lengths just to benefit themselves and do not care how it affects anyone else. Iago is one of those people; he went to the extreme just ruin Cassio and Othello in any way he could. Iago seemed to have compassion and great loyalty to his friends in the beginning of the play but as his plan started to be revealed he showed that he was inclined towards the manipulation of other characters due to his jealousy.

However, Roderigo’s actions end badly, Iago has no interest in assisting him in his pursuit of Desdemona he is only concerned with receiving Roderigo’s assets. Another action Roderigo performs out of motivation to win Desdemona’s love is engaging in a brawl with Michael Cassio. Iago, a master manipulator convinces Roderigo that Cassio is sleeping with Desdemona, that Desdemona is unhappy with Othello, prompting her to commit adultery. Roderigo, angered that Desdemona is not showcasing love towards him promises to kill Cassio so Desdemona and Othello must stay in Cyprus rather than going to Mauritania. This will allow Roderigo enough time to woo Desdemona.

As a result of Iago’s ability to manipulate, these characters face perilous consequences. Iago implants deceiving, malicious information into Othello’s head, splitting Othello’s mind and his marriage. As revenge from Othello giving Iago a menial occupation, Iago plants the seeds of mistrust in Othello’s head and informs Othello that Desdemona is a harlot, and to watch her actions closely. "Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio" (3.3.199). Being that Cassio received Desdemona’s handkerchief by sheer coincidence, Iago convinces Othello that Cassio is sleeping with Desdemona.

Cassio and Othello both have things he wants; therefore, he wants them dead in order to attain those things for himself. Roderigo, as Desdemona’s suitor, envies Othello for marrying her; and plays Iago’s henchman for most of the play. Iago assures him repeatedly that Desdemona will come to love him and not Othello, Iago then proposes a procedure that Roderigo is manipulated into following. Despite his better judgment and morals, his lasting feelings for Desdemona and his envy towards Othello cause him to constantly allow himself to be led by Iago. There are instances when Roderigo rejects Iago “I have heard too much, and your words and performances are no kin together.”)

In William Shakespeare’s play, Othello, he explores manipulation and jealousy using the character Othello; ultimately, he argues that jealousy and manipulation can destroy lives. Othello is affected by Iago’s deceitful task to ruin him for appointing Cassio as a lieutenant, instead of him. Othello is manipulated into believing that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio, which causes the play to end in a tragedy because Othello ends up killing Desdemona and himself over rumors that could’ve been prevented by having a conversation.

As a result of the undivided love that Desdemona has brought from so many different angles, this has caused a plan to be set in motion from Iago. Iago, not only is in love with Desdemona, but he feels that he has been over looked for promotion from within. When examining the plan that was set forth by Iago to bring Othello to his knees, also involved Desdemona; this is in part to Iago’s love and feeling betrayed by Desdemona and Othello. Henceforth, Iago employs through deceit the help of the suitor

To reach Desdemona specifically is unforeseeable for Iago considering that Othello is better than him. It is consequently that Iago chooses to adventure Othello. In the event that Iago can turn Othello against his own particular wife he will have vanquished his restriction. Act III Scene III, is vital in light of the fact that it is the point in the play where Iago starts to build up his control of Othello. Cassio feels that it is important to look for the assistance of Desdemona keeping in mind the end goal to recover his position of lieutenant and along these lines meets with her to examine this probability. Iago and Othello enter the scene soon after Cassio leaves, and Iago witfully trys to make it look like Cassio left in light of the