Iago Manipulate The Character Weaknesses In Shakespeare's Othello

With that which he hath drunk to-night already, He'll be as full of quarrel and offence As my young mistress' dog.” He gets Cassio drunk, because he knows Cassio will make a fool out of himself, which helps Iago get closer to Othello, and helps gain his respect. Iago also speaks with Desdemona and manipulates her into helping Cassio get his job back, which seems very strange to the jealous Othello. All of these situations prove Iago’s power over Othello’s intelligence, and he gains his control through making Othello fiercely jealous.

This is similar to the Joker, as he also toys with important political figures who possess great strength and power, and pays attention to each detail about his victim. Both Iago and the Joker do this, as to target the victim’s soft spot, that will later affect other people in a long and thought out chain of events. Nevertheless, when Iago finds out that Cassio cannot hold his liquor, he devises to influence Cassio to drink. He knows Cassio thinks highly of Desdemona, as he speaks of such, and this is important as Iago can twist Cassio’s words negatively later on. Once Cassio begins drinking, he announces to his men he is not drunk, despite his indulgence of alcohol a little earlier. He gets into a fight with Montano, as Iago sits back and watches. Montano is stabbed by Cassio, and Othello is awoken by the commotion. This results in Cassio losing his position in the Venetian army. Iago’s plan worked like a charm. However, Iago cannot let this situation be the last its kind, as he enjoyed his power and the commotion he stirred up.

He knows Cassio’s weakness when he says “If I can fasten but one cup upon him, With that which he hath drunk tonight already, He’ll be as full of quarrel and offense As my young mistress' dog” (2.3.30-35). Iago convinces Cassio into committing a crime that will make him look bad. This shows how Iago exploits people into doing what he wants. This ultimately leads to the betrayal of Cassio. Cassio never wanted this however by getting him drunk, Iago can make him do what he wants.

In the play, Iago wants to get back at the lieutenant who is Cassio who has the job he wants. He finds out he likes to drink and thens he takes advantage of this. “If I can fasten but one cup upon him, With that which he hath drink tonight already. He’ll be as full of quarrel and offence. As my young mistress’ dog.” Said Iago. Iago is planning to get Cassio to drink more and get drunk and into a fight like his “young mistress’ dog.” He also plans to get Cassio into a bad situation, “He’ll be as full of quarrel and offence.” This shows Cassio trying to control the situation he gets into. The way that Iago is trying to control Cassio and the situation Cassio is getting in shows his manipulative

Iago’s manipulation of Othello is the most significant in the play Othello. Although, Iago’s elaborate plan would never have worked without careful manipulation of Othello’s honorable lieutenant, Cassio. In the third scene of act two, Iago uses his established credibility and pathos to manipulate Cassio’s emotions. The scene starts with Othello telling Cassio to assist Iago in standing guard through the night. When Iago arrives, he begins his manipulation by shifting the conversation to Othello’s wife Desdemona, which leads Cassio to say, “She is indeed perfection” (Shakespeare, 2.3.22). Iago uses this conversation to direct Cassio’s emotions. Immediately after Cassio confesses his feeling for Desdemona, Iago tells Cassio he has a “stoup of wine,” and wants to have a toast to Othello’s health (2.3.23). With persuasion from Iago, Cassio takes part in the toast and gets drunk. Shortly after Cassio leaves, Iago sends Roderigo, a former suitor to Desdemona, to start a fight with him. Not long after, Roderigo runs back pursued by Cassio. Iago, knowing

In Iago’s soliloquy, he explains that Cassio trusts him, which he can use to his advantage. Because Cassio is naturally charming, Iago knows that if he concocts a scheme where Cassio has lured Desdemona away from Othello, it will be plausible for Othello to believe it. (1.3.433-441) As previously mentioned, he knows his friends very well due to being analytical and simply being close friends with them, which is part of what made his malicious schemes so grand. Also, Iago divulges to himself and the audience that he believes that Desdemona loves Cassio, but not in the way he will make it appear. He knows that Othello is “of a constant, loving, noble nature,” and that he’ll prove to be “A most dear husband.” (2.1.308-313) Iago briefly scrutinizes Cassio, Desdemona, and Othello. Due to years of friendship, he knows all of them well. In this scene, Iago is not exposing his manipulative, cunning ways so much as he is merely analyzing his “friends.” This will prove to be useful to him later in the

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

Cassio lost Othello's trust, and this actually made it possible for Iago to try to let it look like he and Desdemona are "making the beast with two backs". Cassio, -after following Iago's advice-, tries to get back his military title and Othello's trust through Desdemona, but this makes the situation even worse.

Now that Cassio is the lieutenant of Othello Iago plots a plan for Cassio to resign off his duty forever so that he can become the lieutenant he always wanted. Iago misdirected Cassio by getting him drunk one night which made Othello appoint Iago as Cassio’s substitute. “O, they are our friends-but one cup; I’ll drink for you” (II.iii.32). This proves that Iago is trying to make Cassio drunk on the night of his watch which was assigned by Othello. Iago convinces him to take another drink, knowing very well that it will only make him drunk. Even though Cassio doesn’t want to drink Iago

In Cyprus, Iago designs a brawl with Cassio and Roderigo by having the latter insult the former while they are drunk. This, of course, results in Cassio’s dismissal by Othello but it far from satisfies Iago. He then in turn advises Cassio on how to regain his

Cassio takes Iago’s advice of seeking Desdemona’s help to earn his job and trust with Othello, back. He too refers to Iago as “honest Iago,” (II.iii.355) Cassio places his trust with Iago, while Iago uses this to misrepresent Cassio and Desdemona’s interactions to Othello. Eventually, Othello gives Cassio’s lieutenant position to Iago, but Iago continues to cause more chaos. Hence, Iago was not really jealous of Cassio taking his lieutenant position,

Once a seed of suspicion or doubt is planted in a person’s mind, the noxious effect of jealousy is soon to ensue. Jealousy and suspicion are Othello’s flaws hubris throughout the play and foreshadow to the audience his imminent downfall. He believes what Iago tells him so strongly that he compromises his close relationship with his best friend and his love for his wife. Iago manipulates Othello through the use of extortion, literary techniques, and his keen judge of character. His syntax and diction are so simple yet so powerful because he uses the correct rhetorical questions and addresses Othello with respectful terms such as “my lord.” He allows Othello do most of the talking

Iago is very notorious for his villainous acts throughout the play “Othello”, by William Shakespeare. Iago’s motives drive him to manipulate and deceive other characters so his “monstrous” (I, iii, 395) plot would succeed. Iago manages to con Roderigo to take his money. Iago also tries to ruin Othello and Desdemona’s relationship by using Cassio as a bait. In this passage, Iago explains how he will manipulate Rodrigo, Cassio and, most importantly, Othello to achieve his goals.

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.

That fact in and of itself should make Cassio weary of Iago. Added to that, Iago influences Cassio to drink more alcohol than Cassio can handle. This leads to the fight between Cassio and Roderigo. During this time Iago poisons Montano’s impressions of Cassio by telling him, “I fear the trust Othello puts in him,”(II.iii.120). Iago also says alcohol “‘Tis evermore the prologue to his sleep.”(II.iii.123). Iago, again, uses Othello’s trust in his character. Othello, when he finally gets the story from Iago, is blinded by Iago’s “honesty and love” and says that these “doth mince [his judgement in] this matter,/ making it light to Cassio.”(II.iii.241-242). Nevertheless, Cassio asks for and acts on advice from Iago. This advice is the crucial mandate that ensures Iago will be able to plant the seed of doubt in Othello’s mind.