Othello And Intoxication

Michael Cassio is a lustful, prideful, and slothful character. While Cassio does have a “relationship” with the well known whore of the town, Bianca, Iago was able to arouse Cassio’s lust for Desdemona by describing her sexual aura. (Act II, Scene III, 14-25): “IAGO: Not this hour, lieutenant; 'tis not yet ten o' the clock. Our general cast us thus early for the love of his Desdemona; who let us not therefore blame: he hath not yet made wanton the night with her; and she is sport for Jove. CASSIO: She's a most exquisite lady. IAGO: And, I'll warrant her, fun of game. CASSIO: Indeed, she's a most fresh and delicate creature. IAGO: What an eye she has! methinks it sounds a parley of provocation. CASSIO: An inviting eye; and yet methinks right modest. IAGO: And when she speaks, is it not an alarum to love? CASSIO: She is indeed perfection.” Cassio was known to have pride in his almost perfect reputation, but when his drunken brawl enables his release from his position in (Act II, Scene III, 250-253) you see exactly how prideful and dramatic he is. “Reputation, reputation, reputation! O, I have lost my reputation! I have

You have told me she hath received them, and returned me expectations and comfort of sudden respect and acquaintance; but I find none” (IV, ii, 186-190). Roderigo started to see that Iago is cheating on him, but Iago is smart enough, and Roderigo is dumb enough for Iago to confuse him. In the second act during the party after the defeat over the Turks, Cassio becomes very drunk and easily taken advantage of. He then runs into the room where everyone is and attacks Roderigo. Montano intervenes and is then wounded by Cassio; Othello is forced to demote Cassio from his position of Lieutenant. With Cassio devastated he asks for advice from Iago, he then informs Cassio the only way to gain his position back is to talk to Desdemona. Cassio then leaves “good night, Honest Iago” (II, iii, 306). Shakespeare put in those two extra words on purpose; he is trying to show how Iago is already able to play with people’s minds and how manipulative he can be. Us, the audience knowing what Iago really wants to do, but Cassio puts trust into Iago with his position and future. The last person to believe Iago is honest and to trust him is Othello. Iago started to tell Othello of how Desdemona might be sleeping with Cassio, and how she is cheating on him. Othello does not believe him as there is no proof, “I’ll see before I doubt; when I doubt, prove; and on the proof there is no more but this” (III, iii, 190-191). Othello knows

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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.

Even though he genuinely respects her, he can be perceived as provocative. Moving on, Iago tries to get Cassio drunk. Since Cassio is very kind, he eventually gives in and takes some alcohol, which leads to him getting into a brawl with Montano and Roderigo, staged by Iago. Othello becomes aware of the irrational fight and strips Cassio of his lieutenancy, for his foolish behaviour. (II.iii.264-265)

The reason Cassio is discharged as Othello’s lieutenant is because he fought Montano, who was the governor of Cyprus before Othello. Now that Cassio has been discharged as lieutenant, Iago has achieved one of goals because Othello tell Iago “Now art thou my lieutenant” (III, ii. 485). Although his hate for Othello still remains as he has suspicion that he has slept with his wife, Emilia.

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

“The Duke does greet you, general, And he requires your haste-post-haste appearance, Even on the instant.” (1.2.37). Michael Cassio first enters Othello when delivering a message to the general, Othello. He is a young, highly educated lieutenant. Though he is inexperienced in battle, he is truly devoted to his governor. Unfortunately, his gullible and blind ways unintentionally lead to Othello’s death. Since he arrives to Cyprus before Othello and his wife Desdemona, he is there to greet Desdemona who arrives a bit before Othello. She has a conversation with Iago, Othello’s ensign. It consists of him speaking poorly of women and Cassio speaking up by saying Iago is more of a soldier than a scholar. Othello’s ship makes land and they celebrate that night. Iago knows that if Cassio has too much to drink, he will be intolerable. This is true, and Cassio picks a fight with Roderigo and Montano, a former governor of Cyprus. This leads to Othello’s firing of Cassio, “. . . Cassio I love thee but never more be officer of mine” (2.3.211-212).

Cassio’s self-respect is portrayed to be positive when he is drinking with Iago and the other gentlemen. Cassio thinks highly of himself when they talk about

Othello had slept with his wife. He suspects not only that of Othello but Cassio as well. It seems as though Cassio is more involved with others lives rather than focusing on his own.

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           Iago not only wanted revenge on Othello, but as well on Cassio for stealing his job away from him. "If I can fasten buy one cup upon him, with which he hath drunk tonight already, he'll be as full of quarrel and offense as my young mistress' dog" Othello. Act II. iii. 49-52. Iago got Cassio so drunk that he got into a fight with another officer, and when Othello found out about this, he quickly fired him. Iago, befriending Cassio, told him to speak to Desdemona about getting his job back and this was done for a reason. Iago states his motives clearly. He intended to use Desdemona's righteousness against her.

Cassio's uncharacteristic aggression is what eventually removes his from position as lieutenant. "Sir, he's rash and very sudden in choler, and haply may strike at you. Provoke him that he may, for even out of that will I cause these of Cyprus to mutiny, whose qualification shall come into no true taste again but by the displanting of Cassio" (Shakespeare 261-264). This quote is when Iago explains Cassio to Othello among the numerous times that he does do so.

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.

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