How Does Iago Say That Desdemona Is Evil In Othello

Starting off, Othello allows Iago to tamper with his mind and does nothing to stop it. Othello puts all of his trust in him, but Iago is just hiding behind a mask and only wishes to torment Othello. Othello is not aware of his surroundings and the people there, making him vulnerable. If he paid more attention to Desdemona and not Iago than he would not have thought to kill his loyal wife. Othello jumps to conclusions too quickly

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).

Even if Othello was not as trusting or corrupt, he still would not realize Iago was lying. Othello commits his first act of violence against Desdemona by hitting her. This shows now Othello's tragic flaw. He made himself susceptible to Iago and the jealousy within him begins to lead to the end of others. By his actions, Othello has isolated himself from everyone except Iago. This gives Iago the perfect opportunity to complete his course of action. Finally, Othello's breakdown

metaphor. In this speech, after Roderigo says he wants to kill himself, Iago tries to convince Roderigo not to end

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.

Acting on snap judgments results in a negative outcome. Although prejudice in and of itself is dangerous, the true damage comes from resulting actions. This is most clearly demonstrated by Othello’s handling of the play’s main conflict. Even though the majority of the blame falls upon Iago, the success of his scheme is dependent on how Othello interprets and reacts to his claims. If Othello does not act out of a place of jealousy and prejudice- premature judgment- Iago’s plot would have be thwarted. Through the first two acts of the play Othello is established as a character with great trust, pride, and honor. He confidently defends and upholds his love for Desdemona. It is shocking how quickly he strays from these traits after Iago merely hints at the fact that she might be cheating on him. With no evidence at all, Othello makes a snap judgment. “Why did I marry? This honest creature doubtless/Sees and knows more, much more, than he unfolds” (Shakespeare

. He is admired by everyone in the play, even Iago comments on what a good man Othello is. Secondly, a tragic hero can not be perfect. He or she must have a flaw of some kind. In Othello’s case it is that he allows his emotions to take over. Manipulated by Iago’s lies, Othello is forced to confront emotions he obviously can not handle. His wisdom and patience are replaced by anger and hate. The power of these destructive emotions ultimately lead to Desdemona’s death and Othello’s suicide

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.

The relationship of the characters in Othello are shaped by the theme of truth and lies. Othello has trouble believing in his relationship with Desdemona because he considers too many outside opinions. Iago is the center of creating manipulations to alter the truth of the actual information. Therefore, Othello questions his fidelity with Desdemona because Iago plants different information to manipulate Othello’s mind and ultimately disrupt his relationship. According to Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “Othello wishes to excuse himself—to excuse himself by accusing” (151). Othello has others easily influence his decisions, in which he is incapable of trusting himself. Needless to say, Othello finds it easier to accuse Desdemona of her wrongdoings and for being unfaithful; he does not question Iago’s creditability. In addition, the theme of truth and lies arise from Othello’s inability to understand himself, so Othello initially has Iago dictate. For that reason, Iago is able to tell Othello anything, knowing that Othello does not question him. However, Othello does not see that Iago manipulates him, and Iago’s lies are perceived as the truth, as it contradicts what Desdemona says.

It is commonly agreed upon that the foundation of Othello has the interworking of good and evil at play. However, within the tree of evil, the branch of self-doubt extend its reaches into the mind and the heart of both Othello and Iago. Iago’s motivation to destroy Othello’s marriage to Desdemona, stems from delusions of an affair between Othello and Iago’s wife and from injured pride due to Othello not considering him for a promotion. At this point, Iago is able to plant seeds of doubt in Othello’s head toward Othello’s marriage to Desdemona because Othello himself harbors low self-esteem as he knows he is viewed as being an outsider by the Venetians because he is a moor and also because he is not of noble tradition. Such insecurities displayed

Shakespeare portrays Othello as the general without faults, perfect. Yet, he slowly reveals the weaknesses of Othello’s love for Desdemona. For this love he will forsake anything. Iago is quick to pick on this and starts working towards destroying Othello through his only shortcoming.

Roderigo’s neediness and gullibleness are used against him for Iago’s own benefit. He tricks Roderigo by telling him “When she is/ Sated with [the Moors] body she will find the error of her choice/ There for put money in thy purse.” (I iii 297-98). Iago Convinces Roderigo to do his bidding by telling him that he can receive the love of Desdemona if he becomes wealthy enough. While Roderigo is taken care of Iago moves onto Cassio and uses his weakness for women and drinking.

Iago’s personal interests to defeat Othello is conveyed through this conversation with Roderigo. Iago was eager to ruin Othello, so he took power to think negatively about Desdemona and Othello’s relationship. Iago showed great power over Roderigo to manipulate him for his personal interests of destroying Othello and Desdemona’s relationship. Moreover, Iago begins to convince Othello that there is a relationship between Cassio and Desdemona. These assumptions initiate by Desdemona simply trying to help Cassio get his job back.

Shakespeare is very well known for his inclusion of tragic flaws throughout the storylines of his novels. Hero’s, as courageous as they may seem, are just like any other person and go through flaws throughout their lifetime regardless of the extent of their situation. In Shakespeare’s novel Othello, with all the events twisting the readers mind from one side to another, there are many distinct qualities that portray Othello’s tragic flaw. Iago was portrayed as an honest character but with his careful deceptions jabbing in Othello’s mind, he is far from honest. Othello’s tragic flaw is that he trusts others opinions more than his own perceptions and Shakespeare develops this flaw by using convincing persuasive appeals and strong syntax throughout

Shakespeare presents this through heavy use of fragmented speech and repetition: “Lie with her? Lie on her...Handkercheif-confessions-handkerchief!”. Not only does this highlight Othello’s maddening state, it also demonstrates his insecurity and disbelief as he is constantly questioning himself, losing control. He makes brash decisions and crude outbursts of how he will “tear [Desdemona] apart” and “chop her into messes”. In doing this Shakespeare is enabled to present Othello as returning to his basic, animalistic sinful state, losing stature and composure and drawing closer to his ultimate decline, but an alternative view would be to see Othello’s insecurity as his downfall. Perhaps this so called “trust” he has placed in Iago is not because he is the “faultless hero” described by Bradley, but rather someone whose trust is neither “strong” nor “absolute!, as Leavis claims. Maybe it is just a ploy to keep the reputation he has sent his entire life building intact. This suggests that, rather than a hero, he is in fact a selfish character motivated by power and a need for acceptance rather than love. In Act 3, he speaks of being “haply black”, and his insecurities are revealed as he believes he is inarticulate, barbaric and lacking “those soft parts of conversation...that clamberers have”. Instead of his trusting nature and jealousy being his harmatia, something Desdemona believes the “sun