Honest Iago, Right? The villain in Othello, Iago, fits the stereotype of manipulation and lies that most commonly gets associated with fake people. He contradicts himself to make a character view him in a specific way, which is necessary for Iago to fulfill his revenge on Othello. Iago tricks Roderigo, a foolish Venetian, who loves Desdemona and would do anything to have another chance at her heart. Iago’s intentions can be discovered when looking deep into the meaning behind his sarcasm, comparisons and emphasis. Iago uses sarcasm, figurative language, and repetition to tell the reader what he really believes, while manipulating the characters in the play to view him as he sees fit. Iago’s use of sarcasm in his conversation with Roderigo …show more content…
His last statement “Corrigible authority of this lies in our wills” (368), sums up what Iago wanted Roderigo to believe. If Roderigo thinks that he needs to make Desdemona and him work, then he will take the measures in which Iago tells him to take. This mindset is what Iago needs to manipulate Roderigo into doing his dirty work. It also shows Iago’s inner workings, and how he views life. He uses this metaphor to express his views and to manipulate Roderigo into believing them …show more content…
Iago repeats his idea in his conversation with Roderigo to let Roderigo know what he needs to do to get Desdemona. Furthermore, it allows the reader to understand why Iago wants Roderigo’s help. The line “Put money in thy purse” (382), is repeated multiple times. Iago tells Roderigo that Othello and Desdemona will never last, and when she is done with Othello she will need a new man with money. Iago tells Roderigo to “Go, provide thy money” (414), which shows that they will work together to inflict revenge on Othello and to get Desdemona for Roderigo. Iago’s constant reference to money proves that Iago does not have good intensions and even puts the question, whether or not he is going to rip off Roderigo. This obsession of money brings more of Iago’s true-self to the reader and raises questions about his loyalty to
Iago also knows that Roderigo will do anything for Desdemona’s love. Iago says, “Thus I do ever make a fool my purse” (1.3.355). Iago tells this to Roderigo which means that he is willing to manipulate anyone as long as he gives him jewels and money. This quote makes him look brilliant because he knows that Roderigo has a lot of money and will do anything to be with Desdemona. I agree when D. Madison says, “In Othello, he knows just what to say to sound innocent. Iago is the ultimate master of manipulation”. Iago uses his knowledge wisely and uses it to manipulate others for his own satisfaction, and knows how to manipulate them because he has analyzed them before, and that is what makes him so good at being evil. Iago is fully aware what he is doing and has no sympathy for anyone like he says himself; “And what’s he then that says play the villain, When this advice is free I give, and honest” (2.3.299).
The first victim of Iago’s manipulation was Roderigo. Iago realises Roderigo will do anything to be with Desdemona, so Iago uses this to his advantage. “Thus do I ever make my fool my purse” (I, iii, 374). Iago plays with Roderigo’s emotions and hopes to swindle his money. Iago makes a fool out of Rodrigo because he is a rich guy who thinks that money will win over Desdemona’s heart. Roderigo buys her gifts and gives it to Iago thinking that he will give it to Desdemona. Instead, Iago keeps it for himself, and making a lot of profit in doing so. Iago does not waste his on knowledge and skills on something he can get someone else to do. “For I mine own gained knowledge should profane” (I, iii, 375). Iago convinces Roderigo that he will make Desdemona fall in love with him by giving her presents with Rodrigo’s money. This shows that he is sly and clever because he knows that Roderigo has a lot of money he can benefit from. Also, Iago gets something useful out of Roderigo that aids in his evil plans. “If I would time expend with such a snipe But for my sport and profit” (I, iii, 376-377). Roderigo is shown to be a very gullible character that believes everything Iago says. Iago keeps Rodrigo uninformed about his plans and continues to profit from him. Rodrigo follows Iago blindly, thinking the whole time that Iago is trying to aid him, but since Iago is driven to become lieutenant, he uses Roderigo for his money and something to rely on. Later Iago sends Roderigo to kill Cassio so Iago would not be suspected as a criminal. Iago’s plans begin to dwindle as Roderigo ends up dying by the hands of the manipulative Iago that supposedly helped Roderigo get with Desdemona.
Roderigo also plays as a pawn in Iago's plan when he is lied to by Iago about getting married to Desdemona. For example when Iago says to Roderigo, "Plague him with flies"(I,i,71). Iago uses this metaphor to manipulate Roderigo into going to Desdemona's father and telling him that his daughter is married to the Moor, Othello. Iago wants Brabantio, Desdemona's father, to dislike the Moor because Othello did not make Iago his lieutenant. Roderigo is told by Iago that if he tells Brabantio that Othello and Desdemona are married than Brabantio might get them divorced or break them up. This way Roderigo will have a chance with Desdemona and express his love to her. Another metaphor that helps Iago with his plan is "Thus do I ever make my fool my purse"(I, iii, 375). Iago had been convincing Roderigo that money can buy him anything, even Desdemona's love. Roderigo believes him, blinded by his love for Desdemona, and sells his land to get money for gifts. Iago had been using Roderigo for his money and none of the gifts and jewels Roderigo gave Iago to give to Desdemona actually reached her. Roderigo who is crazy about Desdemona gets so carried away with himself that he is too late to realize that he had been tricked and used for his money. Roderigo is deceived by Iago whom he trusted so dearly
Lastly, Iago uses repetition in the plot against Othello. In lines 337- 355, Iago reiterates the statement, “put money in thy purse” to convince Iago not to give up on trying to pursue Desdemona. Iago wants Roderigo to keep his feelings for Desdemona so that he can be successful in his plot and plan accordingly. Iago also uses the statement “put money in thy purse” for Roderigo to pay him. Iago craftily uses his repetition to assure ignorant Roderigo’s part in the
In addition, Iago’s confidence has strengthen throughout the play. He convinces Roderigo to take part of his malicious plans. One of which are to talk behind Othello’s back about his secret marriage to Desdemona with her father, Brabantio. Iago is sure that he could break Othello’s marriage by passing the news to Brabantio. Iago’s desire to lead is growing throughout the play. He believes highly of himself, thinking that he is one of those followers who wear themselves out in their master’s service and do not look after themselves, he states, “Do well thrive by them. And when they have lined their coats, Do themselves homage. These fellows have some soul; and such a one do I profess myself” (I.i.53-55). This quotation shows that Iago is confident enough to think that he deserves the promotion more than Cassio, believing he is a better person. Iago’s self-confidence has engaged innocent victims to accompany him in his plan. Furthermore, Iago has successfully accomplished inspiring both Roderigo and Othello with a shared
The tragic plot of Othello hinges on the potential of the villain, Iago, to deceive other characters, above all Roderigo and Othello, through encouraging them to misinterpret what they see. Othello is prone to Iago 's ploys seeing that he himself is so sincere and
Firstly, Iago showed how he was the perfect villain with his ability to manipulate characters throughout the play. By manipulating other characters Iago can forward his plan of ruining Othello without other characters becoming suspicious. One character that Iago often manipulates is his friend Roderigo, this one character is the one that mainly does all the hard work of Iago. This quote: “Desdemona should continue her love to the Moor-put/money in thy purse-nor he his to her. It was a violent commencement in her, and thou shalt see an/answerable sequestration-put but money in thy purse. (1.3 334-338) convinced Roderigo to not kill himself and to continue to believe in Iago’s plan of making Desdemona to stop loving the Moor. Roderigo is in love and this is one reason why he is unable to realize that he is manipulated by Iago. Also, Iago manipulates Cassio to go talk to Desdemona, but Cassio is totally oblivious that he plans to use this to the Moor with jealousy. The quote: “I’ll send her to you presently; /and I’ll devise a means to draw the Moor/out of the way, that your converse and business/May be more free. (3.3 37-40) convinced Cassio to talk to Desdemona, which consequently shaped Othello to be even more jealous than before.
We are introduced to the antagonist, Iago and another character that shares hate for Othello also because he loves Desdemona in Act 1 Scene 1. The first line in Act 1 Scene 1 states ' Tush, never tell me! I take it much unkindly. That thou, iago, whon hast had my purse. As if the strings were thine, shouldst know of this' In translation ‘All this time I’ve thought you were such a good friend that I’ve let you spend my money as if it was yours’. That opening statement already demonstrates Iago’s inner personality and builds a slight reputation from readers for him. As Iago convinces his plan of the destruction of Othello will work, we also start to notice how casually and easily Iago can convince characters using his strong
Roderigo believes that Iago will help him win Desdemona's love, so she will abandon Othello. In the play, Iago states “I say put money in thy purse. It cannot be that Desdemona should continue her love to the moor-put money in thy purse-nor he his to her” (1.1.385). Iago persuades Roderigo to pay him for his service, which would only be the beginning of his manipulations. Roderigo has a deep love and respect for his companion Iago, whom he trusts, as witnessed by his willingness to give him money. The adoration Roderigo has
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.
In conclusion, Iago plays with Roderigo by making him believe that he should trust him if he wants to get revenge on Othello and to get Desdemona with him. He is able to do so because of the tone choice he uses to speak with Roderigo and the style of his
In this scene, Roderigo is sceptical of Iago’s plan and puts a sword to his throat. Iago swiftly maneuvers out of this situation by telling Roderigo how his judgement is brave and now he believes that Roderigo will do whatever it takes to get Desdemona’s love. Iago says that if Roderigo does not complete the plan, then he cannot try to kill him. The fooled Roderigo is shocked and is now completely loyal to Iago who barely got out of this bad situation using his manipulation skills. Later in the play, Roderigo finally recognizes that Iago has been taking advantage of him saying, “O damned Iago! O inhumane dog!” (5.1.74). As seen by his constant manipulative actions and dialogue, Iago reveals himself as a sociopath.
He gloats about the easy in which he can manipulate Roderigo (the fool) into giving him money. Directly after this, you hear of Iago’s feelings towards Othello (the Moor). You learn of Iago’s suspicion about his wife having an affair with Othello. This gains pity from the audience, because you feel that Iago is a man deeply distraught over the idea of his wife cheating on him. Iago then begins to contemplate how he would seek vengeance on Othello and gain his title. Iago plans to use Othello’s trust and opinion of him to his advantage. He speaks about how he will use Cassio as his pawn to lure Othello into believing his wife, Desdemona is being unloyal to him. Iago discloses that Othello’s character is naive and will be easy to manipulate. As his closing statement he states that, with a little help from the devil, his monstrous plan will be a success.
”(1.1.3), he doesn’t doubt Iago when Iago tells him to take more money. This also shows Roderigo’s naivety which Iago
His "med'cine works! Thus credulous fools are caught...." [pg. 1284, Line 44] Iago poisons people's thoughts, creating ideas in their heads without implicating himself. "And what's he then that says I play the villain, when this advice is free I give, and honest," [Act II, Scene III, Line 299] says Iago, the true master of deception. People rarely stop to consider the possibility that Honest Iago could be deceiving them or manipulating them.