How Does Iago's Evilness Lead To Evil

Othello harbors doubts about Iago and Desdemona, but he lets himself be convinced by circumstantial evidence of Desdemona’s false actions. In a conversation with Iago about his cuckolding he says, “I think my wife be honest, and think she is not; / I think that thou art just, and think thou art not” (3.3.384-385). He knows that he should be more distrustful of appearances and Iago, but he nevertheless let’s himself be convinced of her guilt. Othello is torn between his conflicting beliefs, but puts his trust into the wrong person when he confides with Iago. Had he investigated further it would have been possible that he discovered the truth, but his suspicions of Cassio, and Desdemona alienated him from his lieutenant a wife and his anger prevented him from confronting them in a reasonable manner. Othello is controlled by his emotions, and the faith which he puts into others was easy to take advantage of by someone as cunning as Iago. A hero, who’s flaws, not all bad in principal, lead to his self-destruction.

     Iago told Othello that he would discuss Desdemona with Cassio, and that he would talk about the affair. Iago does not do this, and instead he talks about Bianca with Cassio, and Cassio laughs at things Iago says. Othello sees Cassio laughing and just assumes he is laughing at Desdemona, which in return upsets him very much. Iago used several tactics to set up Othello for deception in this case.

Othello trusts Iago and now Iago is trying to take his wife from him for someone else. Furthermore, “He takes her by the palm...sir in.” (pg. 71). Iago watches Cassio and Emilia because he thinks they had an affair he watches them carefully so he can figure out how to convince Othello that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Another example involves the plan to help Othello kill Desdemona. “Do it not with poison. Strangle her in her bed, even the bed she hath contaminated” (pg. 185). Othello believes that Iago is most honest, thus he believed killing his wife Desdemona was the right thing to do. Iago brainwashed Othello into believing the wrong thing was the right thing. The characterization of Iago is created by the use of dramatic irony. The audience knew how devious Iago is, but the characters fell for his mischievous acts.

Secondly, Iago’s use of imagery creates such a lucid picture that makes it hard to believe that it is anything but true. Iago tells of how he slept with Cassio and how Cassio, “gripe an ring my hand, Cry O sweet creature [Desdemona]! Then kiss me hard As if he plucked up kisses by the roots…” This very visual tale makes it hard for Othello to think of anything other than that Desdemona and Cassio are together. It clearly shows that Iago was witnessing an account that Othello believes is true even though Iago later states that it was only a dream; the visual picture is their. Othello believes this is substantial evidence to accuse Desdemona of being with Cassio.

Once Iago plants the seed of doubt into Othello’s mind he is able to manipulate Othello into believing that Desdemona is sleeping with Cassio. Iago does this by using a made up story. “I lay with Cassio lately … In sleep I heard him say, ‘Sweet Desdemona, let us be wary, let us hide our loves.’ … wring my hand … and kiss me hard … and then, cried, ‘Cursed fate that gave thee to the Moor.’”.

Throughout this passage, Iago’s main techniques of deception include lies, syntax and diction, and hoodwinking Othello into thinking his way. By quickly averting his conflict with Othello at the start of the scene, he easily avoids confrontation

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.

Cassio had liked Desdemona in the past and he Iago knew that he could use this against both Desdemona and Cassio. By getting Cassio in trouble and watching him lose his position in the military, Iago knew this would bring Cassio and Desdemona closer. Desdemona did not know this plan. She knew that her Cassio had lost his position and that she wanted to help him convince Othello to give him his title back. This meeting between the two characters was also used against them. This meeting between friends then turned into accusations that Cassio was with Desdemona. Iago later goes and plants this lie in Othello's ear. Desdemona is still unaware of what is going on. Desdemona will later know that Othello will eventually kill her and she accepts this. Only moments before Othello kills Desdemona does she know what she is being accused of. “And yet I fear you; for you are fatal then When your eyes roll so: why I should fear I know not, since guiltiness I know not; but yet I feel I fear.” (Othello Act V Scene II Page 82). She knows that Othello is accusing her of something but, she has no idea what it

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.

Iago is admitting that he is planting wild ideas into Othello head about Cassio and Desdemona’s sleeping with each other and laughing at Othello for being gullible. Another event that Iago lied to Othello is when he said that he will question Cassio about his and Desdemona’s relationship but instead he was talking about Cassio and Bianca. The defendant states “Now i will I question Cassio of Bianca, A huswife that by selling her desires Buys herself bread and (clothes.)... He, when he hears of her, cannot restrain From the excess of laughter. Here he comes”(Shakespeare 177-179).

In everyday life, people use manipulation tactics to attain their utmost desires or to fulfill their vengeances by scheming cunning plots to deceive or outwit someone. This essay will explain how Iago manipulates Roderigo into doing his dirty work and advancing his own scheme by exploiting Roderigo’s lack of intelligence and desperate infatuation with Desdemona. It will also reveal how Iago uses Cassio’s trusting nature to jeopardize his position as lieutenant and reputation by displaying a sincere facade. Most importantly, it will define how he successfully provokes Othello to sink to the depths of killing his own wife by portraying a false affair between her and Cassio. In Shakespeare's Othello, Iago is a villain disguised under the mask

1. Desdemona says that she’ll do everything in her power to restore the friendship between Cassio and Othello – including discussing Cassio in bed with Othello. How might that ironically help Iago’s plan? Othello will think that Desdemona is in love with Cassio, because she is helping him so much and always talking about him.

The most particularly confusing, aggravating, and difficult thing about Othello is how Othello himself can be so easily tricked into believing that Desdemona, his wife, cheated on him with Cassio, Othello’s squad leader. Little to no physical evidence was given to Othello to make him believe that Desdemona cheated, he simply took Iago’s word for it. As Wyndham Lewis from Shakespeare for Students wrote, “He seems possessed of no instinct by which he might scent his antagonist, and so be put on his guard” ( Othello is completely clueless that Iago is against him and not actually helping him out, and if Othello would have realized that sooner, or collected real, physical evidence on Iago’s comments of Desdemona cheating, he could have saved

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.

The most important person Iago uses his reputation to manipulate is Othello. Othello holds a significant amount of trust in Iago and when he claims Desdemona is cheating Othello believes him, which Iago justified evidence as proof. Othello allows himself to give in entirely to Iago’s lie, which he is not aware of.