Examples Of Manipulation In Othello

Othello is an easy target in this drama, because Iago already knows that he is a very insecure person. With that stated, it will be easy for Iago to use Othello’s jealousy to trick him into thinking that Desdemona is an unfaithful wife. Iago will manipulate the way Othello sees things in order to convince him that what he sees is innocent acts between Desdemona and Casillo. Iago’s starts to plant the idea in Othello’s head of an affair after Othello sees Casillo rush leaving Desdemona in a manner that looked as though he is guilty (1223). Alone with Othello, Iago begins to make Othello feel threatened by Casillo and Desdemona’s apparent relationship by bringing up the fact that Casillo served as Desdemona’s and Othello’s go-between during the time of their courtship. The conversation ends with Iago asking Othello to watch carefully of Desdemona and Casillo, and Iago exits giving Othello time to question the accusation of Iago (1225-1228).

Othello’s trust for Iago enables Iago to completely discredit Othello as the good guy of the play when Iago manipulates him into thinking Desdemona was unfaithful to him with Cassio. Even though Othello must know in his heart that Desdemona would not betray him, he is so caught up by Iago's efforts and has fallen for his manipulative lies, that all rational thoughts abandons Othello and he ultimately ends up murdering his wife since to Othello betrayal was immoral. At the end of play, even Othello can hardly believe what he has done because he thinks of himself as, "One not easily jealous, but, being wrought, perplexed in the extreme..." meaning that he has acted out of character and only in the interests of honor. Iago’s betrayal to those such as Othello and Desdemona, ultimately successfully destroyed everyone, himself included.

The event of Othello’s elopement is the turning point for Iago’s obsession and plot to destroy his life by sabotaging his relationships with Desdemona and his closest friends. Othello’s tragic flaw of trusting the wrong people leads him to his demise. Iago’s first plan of action brings Brabantio, Desdemona’s father, into play. He speaks of how “The Moor”, Othello, is deflowering his daughter’s purity. “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram / Is tupping your white ewe” (1.1.88-89) (Othello.) Iago’s obsession goes so far as to bring his own wife into his plot without her knowledge. Iago asks Emilia to steal Desdemona’s handkerchief as “evidence” of her infidelity. “My wayward husband hath a hundred times / Woo’d me to steal it; but she so loves the token....I’ll have the work ta’en out, And give’t Iago: what he will do with it Heaven knows, not I; I nothing but to please his fantasy.” (3.3.292-299) (Othello.) A man who prided himself on being trustworthy was so blinded with jealousy and hatred that he would sabotage his own wife to take down Othello’s life.

Iago mentions the strength of others wills, and notes how it is simple to change a person with willpower alone. He is then implying that the people who he can trick are inferior to him. In this way Iago is overly proud of his abilities and loves to put himself above his superiors. He is superior to them only his ability to plot complex schemes. His plan to destroy Othello is full of grandeur and risks. Iago sets long series of specific events into motion relying on luck to carry through some of the parts. He is very roundabout on bringing his plan to fruition. Rather than lying to multiple characters and stealing handkerchiefs he could have, just as easily, told Roderigo to kill Othello. However, he seeks to have superiority over his commanders, so in a way, he is trying to prove he is better than they by creating such complex narratives. His actions in this regard are very similar to

The following situation also proves Iago’s ability to effectively use his power over Othello’s intelligence and jealousy. Othello was very gullible and innocent, so Iago took complete advantage of that. He makes Othello believe that Desdemona is unfaithful toward him with Cassio. He does so through a multitude of ways: “If I can fasten but one cup upon him,

After publicly sharing their love and deep devotion for each other, Othello goes to prove his fixed mindset as he succumbs to the lies told by his trusted friend Iago that his wife Desdemona was cheating on him, which causes him to fall into the realm of self doubt. Throughout Act 3 scene 2 of the play, it is here where Desdemona vows to do what she can to convince Othello to appoint Cassio back to his position as lieutenant. Though Iago takes this opportunity to introduce the idea that Desdemona is cheating on Othello with Cassio which is the reason that she is so fixed on convincing him to have Cassio as his lieutenant once more. When left alone in his chambers to think of the astonishing news Othello remarks to himself, “ This fellow exceeding honesty,/And knows all qualities, with a learned spirit/Of human dealings. If I do prove her haggard,/Though that her jesses were my dear heartstrings,/I’d whistle her off and let her down the wind to prey at fortune. Haply for I am black/And have not those soft parts of conversation that chamberers have, or for I am declined…” ( Act

Iago hatched up a plan to ruin Othello by pretending to be loyal as well as falsely portraying Othello’s wife to be false. As stated in Shakespeare’s play Othello, Iago stated in Act 1 Scene 3 that he planned to “ abuse Othello’s ear” that cassio is “ too familiar with his wife” which would allow him to frame Cassio and portray Desdemona to be false. This reveal that Iago has such hatred for Othello and interracial relationships that he would frame an innocent man and woman to ruin Othello. Cruel Iago used Desdemona’s handkerchief to falsely frame Cassio which would make it appear that Desdemona is committing adultery with Cassio. It would also appear to Othello as if Desdemona is committing adultery with Cassio because it is more natural and acceptable for her to be with someone of the same racial class and nature as her own. This would be evident in ruining Othello because of how much he cares for

Othello, not knowing that Cassio was in fact speaking with Desdemona in hopes of being reinstated as Lieutenant, mistakenly believes that the two are having an affair and that Desdemona has lost her chastity. Iago skillfully capitalizes on the situation by developing his attack further: "She did deceive her father, marrying you" (3.3.220). Othello begins to see Iago's reasoning: if she could deceive her father, she could just as easily deceive her new husband. Once Othello's bliss has been decimated, Iago concentrates on weakening Othello's perception of himself; Iago very carefully and very tactfully chooses words and metaphors that subconsciously pit Othello against the Venetians. Othello begins to perceive himself as an outsider in his own country, "a malignant and turbaned Turk" (5.2.365). A fruitful marriage with a Venetian woman becomes out of the question in Othello's mind. Iago's successful manipulation takes a self-confidant man and reduces him to one at ends with himself and with the woman he loved.

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.

Othello is also a man who does not ever wish to seem weak and out of control only confident; therefore, he lies and pretends that his is not worried and jealous even though these have already begun to slowly eat away at his soul. Just as Othello demanded of Iago, Iago falsely proves that Desdemona is cheating on Othello, which causes him to completely abandon his discretion and morals. He no longer has any tenderness towards Desdemona and his logic completely elapses, causing Othello to plan to make “her rot and perish and be damned” because he believes that she “shall not live” anymore (IV, i, 172-73). Although Iago provides only surface proof of Desdemona’s disloyalty, Othello completely believes it due to Iago’s method of deception, which made him mentally insecure and put him in epileptic detachment from reality.

Furthermore, Iago seizes his opportunity to prove his honesty to Othello. Iago hesitates but later confesses to Othello that Desdemona is cheating on him. Iago knows that unlike Roderigo and Cassio, Othello will be harder to convince. Othello is deeply in love with Desdemona and believes he is stronger than he is. Othello tells Iago: “Think’st thou

No, sure, I cannot think it / That he would steal away so guilty-like /Seeing you coming” (Othello, Act III, Sc.3, 37-39), based on this quote, Iago suggest that Cassio might be keeping a secret, which results in Othello becoming slightly suspicious. Secondly, Iago advices Othello to; “Look to your wife, observe her well with Cassio. / Wear your eyes thus, not jealous nor secure” (Othello, Act III, Sc.3, 202-203), which further supports Othello’s suspicion. Lastly Iago instructs Othello to; “Do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated” (Othello, Act VI, Sc.1, 195-196), at this moment Othello Genuinely believe that Desdemona is truly unfaithful, it also illustrates Othello’s transformation from being a commander to being one of Iago’s puppets.

Iago seems to master his own emotion, and his skillful character helps him to condition other people’s mind to have what he wants. Although, his materialistic character and all his passion for money makes him stay unsatisfied. However, Desdemona a young smart woman who decided to share her life with Othello based on her love, but it is possible that Othello with his big reputation has manipulated the youth’s mind. I believe that Desdemona’s priority was not money, but it was more profound that is why she stays as an icon of the female purity. In fact, Iago is being devastated and jealous toward the moor and prophesizes that Desdemona who is very attractive to the moor can be later spiteful to him once her eyes are open.

He gets Cassio to talk to Othello’s wife, Desdemona, to ask for his position back and he begins to point out small things like them whispering. When Cassio exits the scene when Othello approaches, Iago does not hesitate to make his move and mentions it. Asking of Iago’s suspicions, Iago says, “Good my lord, pardon me, Though I am bound to every act of duty I am not bound to that all slaves are free to Utter my thoughts” (138-140). This places Othello in the position of being alarmed because what could be so horrible that this “honest” man would want to keep secret from him. Eventually, Iago comes out with his fake suspicions and Othello somewhat believes it but wants some kind of evidence. Fortunately, Iago’s wife, Emilia gets a hold of Desdemona’s handkerchief and gives it to him. He puts more of his plan into action saying, “in Cassio’s lodging [I] lose this napkin. And let him find it. Trifles light as air Are to the jealous confirmations strong As proofs of holy writ. (331-334). This is enough to convince Othello of Desdemona’s affair with Cassio, enraging him to want to murder the two. Othello decides he will kill his wife, and asks Iago to do the same to

In William Shakespeare’s Othello, the play revolves mainly around four characters: Othello, a Christian Moor and general in the Venetian army; Desdemona, Othello’s beloved wife; Cassio, Othello’s trusted lieutenant; and Iago, Othello’s ensign who plots the demise of Othello over the course of the play. Throughout the play, Iago plants seeds of doubt in Othello’s mind about his wife’s faithfulness to him. When Iago’s plot succeeds, Othello drives himself mad, wanting to kill Desdemona, even though the accusations against her were wrong. In the end, Othello kills his wife by suffocating her and is then caught. Here he speaks out to the people around him that he was “one that loved not wisely but too well;/ Of one not easily jealous…” Although Othello’s claim is that he loved Desdemona deeply, throughout the play his actions speak a different story. Within Othello’s claim, he states that he is “one not easily jealous”, but the killing of his wife says otherwise. If Othello truly loved Desdemona as deeply as he